{"id":3518,"date":"2020-04-24T21:10:52","date_gmt":"2020-04-25T01:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/propercloth.com\/reference\/?p=3518"},"modified":"2024-03-06T16:17:14","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T21:17:14","slug":"how-to-care-for-a-cloth-face-mask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propercloth.com\/reference\/how-to-care-for-a-cloth-face-mask\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for a Cloth Face Mask"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Everyday Mask<\/p><\/div>\n

In March 2020, the CDC began recommending that<\/span> “everyone<\/span> should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public” to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Seven states<\/span> (and<\/span> counting) have made wearing face coverings mandatory when outside, and today many stores and businesses require customers to <\/span>wear <\/span>a mask to enter. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a strange new world that requires the incorporation of a strange new accessory and its proper care into our daily routines for the foreseeable future.<\/span><\/p>\n

So we spent the last four weeks <\/span>developing a face mask<\/a><\/span> that we’d actually want to wear. Something beautiful, comfortable, and most of all, functional. <\/span>And throughout development and testing w<\/span>e learned how to properly care for cloth face masks in a way that is safe and easy.<\/span><\/p>\n

How often should I wash a face mask?<\/h2>\n

Best practice is to wash your face mask at the end of every day. <\/span><\/p>\n

While viruses cannot live on fabric forever, early research suggest<\/span>s <\/span>COVID-19 can live on fabric for <\/span>anywhere from several <\/span>hours up to a <\/span>full <\/span>day. Additionally, if you were to leave the mask on a surface after <\/span>you\u2019ve worn it<\/span>, there is a chance it could transfer the virus to that surface. So rather than take any risks, you\u2019ll want to wash the mask as soon as you\u2019<\/span>v<\/span>e <\/span>finished<\/span> wearing it for the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also, when you go to wash your mask, try not to touch your face.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s the best way to wash my mask?<\/h2>\n

Hand Washing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some masks are hand<\/span>–<\/span>wash only<\/span>,<\/span> while other masks are machine washable. You\u2019ll want to check with the supplier of your mask for their recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Washing a cloth face mask by hand is really easy. You can wash it in a sink using warm, but not scalding hot, water. Just add a bit of either soap or detergent\u2014enough that there is <\/span>definite<\/span> bubbling and frothing happening throughout the mask<\/span> as you lather it<\/span>. If your mask has a removable filter, like ours does, you should remove this and wash it along with your mask. <\/span><\/p>\n

A minute or two is a good safe <\/span>amount of <\/span>time to spend washing the mask. <\/span>That\u2019s it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Machine Washing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some masks, including ours, are machine washable, but we still prefer to wash th<\/span>em<\/span> in the sink. It\u2019s a big waste of water to run a mask though a washable machine if <\/span>it\u2019s not going through with a <\/span>full load. If you do plan to wash your mask in a washing machine, wash on cold or medium heat. <\/span><\/p>\n

Drying<\/strong><\/p>\n

Air<\/span> dry<\/span>ing<\/span> is the way to go. Set the damp mask on a towel overnight and <\/span>it\u2019ll <\/span>be <\/span>ready to wear again<\/span> in the morning.<\/span> D<\/span>on\u2019t dry your mask in the dry<\/span>er, as t<\/span>his can irreparably<\/span> damage it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Fixes<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in a jam and don\u2019t have access to a sin<\/span>k<\/span> or some way to wash your mask, what\u2019s the best thing to do? <\/span>W<\/span>e suggest <\/span>taking<\/span> a disinfectant wipe to all surfaces of your mask. Less thorough than washing with soap, but certainly better than doing nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few extra tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n