How To Correctly Disinfect Reusable Face Masks
Health Tips
Published: 17 August 2020 15:18 CET
Updated: 18 February 2021 15:18 CET
The wearing of face masks has fast become our ‘new norm’ when venturing out of our homes.
This is because we have been taking the advice of experts, who say that the Coronavirus virus is primarily spread from person to person via droplets from an infected person through coughing, sneezing and even talking.
Face coverings help to stop the disease from spreading by acting as a barrier and blocking the droplets from transferring from someone who is infected to someone who isn’t.
In Spain, the wearing of masks is currently mandatory in all public places, as well as in confined areas where a two-meter distance cannot be applied.
There are typically three types of barrier masks that should be worn and they are disposable, single-use and reusable.
The reusable masks are made from a fabric that has been authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Health and must be cleaned to allow them to have full effectiveness when wearing them.
So how should we be cleaning our reusable face coverings?
The Ministry of Health has given two recommended ways we should clean and disinfect all reusable masks. They are:-
- Place all reusable masks in the washing machine with your usual detergent and wash on a cycle with a temperature of between 60 and 90 degrees. This also applies to clothes.
- Mix 20ml of bleach with 980ml of warm to hot water and soak the masks for 30 minutes. When they have finished soaking, wash them in washing detergent and rinse thoroughly before air-drying them.
WHO (The World Health Organisation) has also issued their own recommendations when it comes to the handling of our reusable masks, they suggest that we should:-
- Wash our hands or use hand sanitising gel before picking up our mask.
- Wear our mask properly, covering both mouth and nose, leaving no gaps.
- Try to avoid touching it while we are wearing it. If you do touch it wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water or use a hand sanitising gel.
- If your mask is wet, remove it and replace it with a dry one. If it is a disposable one, throw it away but if it is a reusable one wash it following one of the above methods.
- Remove the mask correctly, do not touch the front of it, instead, take it off by the strips and then remove the rubber from one ear, then the other.
- When you have removed your mask, once again wash your hands with soap and warm water or use hand sanitising gel.
Follow these guidelines and your mask will be as good as new, and will help protect you from this dreaded disease!
