Care Of Your Masks/I Washed My Medical Masks

[OneEyedDiva]

Being left with only 4 after giving half to my son, I felt I needed to hold on to the ones I had. I gently hand wash them with lysol or dish detergent (since regular soap is said to kill the virus). I give a gentle squeeze to get out excess water then dry each one between two paper towels. I have noticed no deterioration of the material from which they are made. Since I've found other options, I've only washed each one once.

I read that masks made of fabric should be washed after each use and dried thoroughly before using again. The N95 and other similar masks should only be hand washed. The article went on to say that masks should be stored in paper bags instead of plastic bags (I had been storing mine in a plastic ziplock bag). I discovered that my under scarf bonnets, doubled and turned upside down make affective masks. I toss them in the laundry bag after each use.

What are you using...purchased or home made?

 

[win231]

I only wear a mask when shopping because it's required - not because I think it offers any protection.
I got a few from a dispenser when visiting a friend in the hospital several months ago. I wear one when I use the leaf blower, along with snug-fitting eye protection.
When I get home after shopping, I spray the mask with alcohol & let it air dry. It's paper, so I can't really wash it.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I only wear a mask when shopping because it's required - not because I think it offers any protection.
I got a few from a dispenser when visiting a friend in the hospital several months ago. I wear one when I use the leaf blower, along with snug-fitting eye protection.
When I get home after shopping, I spray the mask with alcohol & let it air dry. It's paper, so I can't really wash it.

If you got the masks from the hospital they're probably the same kind I have. I have these and they're white on the opposite side. Though they are considered disposable, I washed them.
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Case-Dynarex-Surgical-Totaling/dp/B004GF09JC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=177278I554QE8&dchild=1&keywords=dynarex+medical+mask&qid=1588706374&sprefix=dynorex+medical+,aps,146&sr=8-4

 

[win231]

If you got the masks from the hospital they're probably the same kind I have. I have these and they're white on the opposite side. Though they say disposable, I washed them.
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Case-Dynarex-Surgical-Totaling/dp/B004GF09JC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=177278I554QE8&dchild=1&keywords=dynarex+medical+mask&qid=1588706374&sprefix=dynorex+medical+,aps,146&sr=8-4

That's what mine look like. They're yellow or blue on the front & white on the back. They feel like soft paper - maybe reinforced, since alcohol doesn't seem to damage them.
The best part is, they're free.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

That's what mine look like. They're yellow or blue on the front & white on the back. They feel like soft paper - maybe reinforced, since alcohol doesn't seem to damage them.
The best part is, they're free.

Spraying them with alcohol is a good idea. I hard started wiping mine down with alcohol but the coverage was sketchy. You've given me an idea though. I have small spray bottles that would probably work nicely. Thanks Win!

 

[Buckeye]

I bought a box of 50 "medical grade" masks on line. So far I've used 1. Can't imagine trying to wash it.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I soak/wash the bandanas that I use in my homemade masks with Clorox and detergent after each use then I iron and reassemble them.

 

[win231]

Spraying them with alcohol is a good idea. I hard started wiping mine down with alcohol but the coverage was sketchy. You've given me an idea though. I have small spray bottles that would probably work nicely. Thanks Win!

A few years ago, I got 5 industrial spray bottles from Home Depot. They're perfect for spraying large surfaces without wasting any. I fill them up with alcohol & use it for the outside surfaces of toilets - it's perfect for that; It's very effective on stains. After cleaning, it dries, doesn't hurt the plastic seat or porcelain & kills germs. For the bowl, Lysol with Hydrogen Peroxide is great. No caustic bleach.
I thought it would damage a mask, but after several uses, it doesn't.

 

[Judycat]

I made three cloth masks from material I had lying around. I hand wash after each use. When I started making them I remembered how much I didn't like sewing, but after making the first one the other two were fairly easy.

 

[Gaer]

I don't wash them most of the time but when I return home, i put my gloves and mask in the dryer. The heat kills any virus.

 

[win231]

I don't wash them most of the time but when I return home, i put my gloves and mask in the dryer. The heat kills any virus.

"Hmmmmm.....what's that burning rubber smell?"

 

[Gaer]

"Hmmmmm.....what's that burning rubber smell?"

No,haha! Mine are nylon. both the gloves and the mask.

 

[win231]

No,haha! Mine are nylon. both the gloves and the mask.

I'd check on them every couple of minutes while they're in the dryer. Nylon dries in a few seconds & burns quickly. So does polyester.

 

[Gaer]

I'd check on them every couple of minutes while they're in the dryer. Nylon dries in a few seconds & burns quickly. So does polyester.

I don't leave them for a full cycle. only a few moments.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

No,haha! Mine are nylon. both the gloves and the mask.

Gaer a doctor on one of the news programs I watch said that if you can see light coming through your mask, it doesn't provide enough protection. I don't know how translucent your nylon masks are. When I use a couple of my bonnets that aren't heavy enough, I put the medical masks underneath.

 

[Gaer]

Gaer a doctor on one of the news programs I watch said that if you can see light coming through your mask, it doesn't provide enough protection. I don't know how translucent your nylon masks are. When I use a couple of my bonnets that aren't heavy enough, I put the medical masks underneath.

No no light. These are doubled. Wow! Wjat? Never mind.

 

[Sunny]

I made the mistake of putting my cotton mask in the dryer (on low). It shrank anyway.