The Best Ways to Clean Your Face Masks, According to the Experts

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

While some face masks are best left for one-time-use only — think professional-grade N95 masks and those blue disposable masks you see everywhere — many of the best face masks these days are meant to be reused. Cloth face coverings, in particular, are often machine-washable, while others can be easily washed by hand with just a few simple products and steps.

According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. Though reusable face masks won’t hold up forever (they should typically be tossed out after 20 uses), proper care and cleaning could help extend their lifespan. Here’s how to clean your face masks at home.

1. Bleach + Water Solution

You don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients or formulas to clean your face masks. The CDC recommends a simple bleach solution that you can create by mixing five tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of household bleach per gallon of room temperature water, or four teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water (be sure to check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection).

Pour the bleach mixture in a bowl or tub and let your face covering soak in the solution for at least five minutes (we recommend using a pair of disposable gloves while doing this). Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water. Toss your mask in the dryer or lay out to air dry. If tossing in the dryer, the CDC recommends the highest heat setting possible; if air drying, the CDC says it’s best to put the mask in direct sunlight.

-more-

https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/how-to-wash-face-mask-cleaning-1026091/

[panader0]

1. I have three or four cloth masks.

All the rest are blue disposables, still have a boxful. I was thinking about using a strainer like the ones for
steaming vegetables and putting in a few blue ones, then drying them in the sun. It seems like the steam would
kill the virus, if it was present, and dry to be used again. Maybe not a good idea?

[chia]

4. wouldn't the heat from direct sun be enough to sterilize?

[cilla4progress]

2. Couldn't you just use

soap and water?

[mantis49]

5. That's what I was wondering.

The ones I made are quilting fabric. Don't think I would bleach those. I've been putting them in a lingerie bag and washing them with my laundry. Then they are dried in the drier. That should be sufficient.

[sl8]

7. From the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html

How to clean

Washing machine

You can include your face covering with your regular laundry.
Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the face covering.
illustration, washing machine

Washing by hand

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water
Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. Check out the linked article

It has four different suggestions, soap and water being one of them.

Because of DU rules and copyright laws I can't post the whole thing.

[underpants]

3. Thanks. 👀

[Chainfire]

6. I only go out once about every ten days

and that for a grocery/drug run. I have been using the same industrial n-95 mask since March. When I get home I just leave it on the dash of the car, in the sun. Nothing could survive ten days in the Florida sun. I will change masks when the thing starts to get fuzzy.

I had bought a box of 12 N-95s in December. I use them in my wood shop or when I mow in dusty weather. I would love to replace them more frequently, but I ain't about to pay the going black-market rate for masks, even if I could find them.

[Baclava]

9. Same here with my surgical masks, nothing can survive for days on my dash under the FL sun, lol

I bought a box of 50 in Feb for $12 and still have plenty, yeah, I don't go out much