You made your homemade mask in 1 minute thanks to our tutorial here ?
Great ! Now, it is important to disinfect it well after each use!
Why ? Otherwise it may no longer be effective and may even contaminate you...
Fortunately, there are 2 simple and effective methods for properly maintaining your fabric mask after each use .
It should be disinfected every time you go shopping, walk down the street, or take the bus or subway. Watch:
1. Remove your mask using the rubber bands without touching the rest of the mask.
2. Put it directly in the washing machine with other clothes if you want.
3. Select a cotton cycle at 60°C for at least 30 mins with your laundry.
4. Once washed, air dry, tumble dry, or blow dry to save time.
This method is the one recommended by the Stop Postillons collective here.
1. Again, remove your mask using the rubber bands without touching the rest of the mask.
2. Immerse it directly in the sink with hot water, a little detergent or liquid soap.
3. Rub the mask well with your hands for at least 30 seconds.
4. Once washed, air dry, tumble dry or blow dry to save time.
This method is the one recommended by the Mask4all collective here.
Ideally, you should disinfect your protective mask after each outing.
It is therefore best to have 2 fabric masks in order to alternate when one is to be washed or dried.
Note that it is important to do the same for your clothes, especially if you have taken public transport or have been in contact with the public during your day.
With these precautions, you minimize the risk of contamination through textiles.
Many studies advise not to wear a homemade mask for more than 2 hours at a time.
Why ? Because with the humidity caused by our breathing, the filtering capacity of the fabric is reduced.
As a result, the risk of contamination by the Covid-19 virus is increasing.
- Put your mask in the freezer is not enough to kill the virus. In addition, humidity may damage the fibers of the mask fabric.
- Disinfect your mask with alcohol or bleach . Even if these detergents kill bacteria, they will also damage the fabric of the mask and therefore its filtration capacities. They are also harmful to your health.
- Put your mask in the microwave. There are no studies showing how long the device would need to be left running to kill the virus. Also to be avoided!
- Ironing your mask is not enough to kill the virus . Worse, it can damage your protective mask, especially the elastics.
