Refinery 29
How often should we wash our masks?
My favorite purchase in 2020 was a pack of silk masks that I bought at a store on Etsy. I wear them every time I leave the house, always keeping one in my bag in case I forget to get one when I leave. After a few days, I throw them in the washing machine with the rest of my clothes, but every now and then I wonder: Am I washing my masks enough? Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, an infectious disease epidemiologist and scientific communication leader at The COVID Tracking Project, says to think of your facial masks as if they were underwear. “Just change it after each use,” she says. She has seven masks that she likes to keep in circulation, one for each day of the week. This is a little extreme, but having at least two in rotation is ideal, so you have at least one clean mask available at all times. Rivera says you can wear a reusable mask for an entire day – even if you go out in the morning, come home for a pit stop, then go out again at night, okay – and throw it on your clothes before bed. The same is true for disposable masks, except changing “washing machine” for “trash can”. Use one a day, throw it away and get a new one the next day. But Rivera urges everyone to try reusable masks, if possible. “I do not recommend using surgical masks because they are not very friendly to the environment,” she says. “Use them sparingly and cut the strips [when you throw them away]. ”Washing your reusable masks less than once per use will not increase your chances of getting COVID-19. It’s just … kind of disgusting, and it can result in a mask or strange smells. But it is better to go out with a dirty mask than to skip the mask completely. “I don’t think that if you wear a two-day mask, you’re going to be X% more susceptible to the virus,” explains Rivera. “You just want to wear a mask that adequately covers your face with suitable materials.” You can wash your reusable mask as you would any other fabric item – throw it in the laundry room or wash it manually with soap and water. It is best to use hot water and dry over high heat, but “soap is an incredible killer of this virus,” says Rivera. “You don’t have to worry about extreme sterilization conditions to kill the virus if it’s in it.” To keep your mask clean throughout use, avoid touching it. Try not to touch the outside of the mask – if you need to adjust it or put it on and take it off, make sure you only touch the handles. And it goes without saying, but don’t share. “The masks are for individuals,” says Rivera. “You wouldn’t share your underwear.” You should update your stock of reusable masks every six to 12 months, or whenever you can see the light through the cloth when holding it against a light source, said Natasha Bhuyan, MD, regional director and supplier at One Medical , to Refinery29. It is a sign that the material is compromised. Even with the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, we will still be wearing masks for much longer. They work and are what will help us to cross the finish line of this thing. And whether you love them or hate them, a fresh smelling mask is infinitely more pleasant than a dirty mask. Like what you’re seeing? How about a little more kindness R29, right here?