As face masks become an essential part of our daily routines, many have turned to reusable masks to be more cost effective and environmentally conscious. With that being said, it’s important to know how to take care of them, so that they can last longer and continue to help prevent the spread of germs. Keep reading below to learn tips on washing, drying and storing your face masks.
Washing your mask
The most important thing is to wash your face mask after every use, and investing in multiple masks makes it easy to have a fresh one ready at any time. An easy way to clean your used masks is to include it with your regular laundry load. It’s a good idea to use a cloth or mesh bag to avoid the ear loops from getting tangled with other clothes or garments. As well, make sure you use the warmest water temperature setting possible. If you choose to wash by hand, simply fill a bucket with hot water with detergent. Let your mask soak for 5 minutes, then use your hands to lather it up before rinsing it well. TIP: Your regular detergent works fine but if you are sensitive to smells, you may want to switch to an unscented one!
Drying your mask
After washing, lay your mask flat to dry to allow it to maintain its shape. If possible, place it in a spot in direct sunlight. You can use a clothes hanger and clothes pins to hang multiple masks on to dry. TIP: Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your face masks.
Storing your mask
When your face mask is not in use, store it in a cool, dry place. If you’re more of the forgetful type, try using hooks to hang your mask by the door so it is always in plain sight before you head out. When you remove your mask after use, place it in a paper lunch bag or plastic ziploc bag. If you don’t like the idea of using single use paper or plastic, you can always get yourself a Stasher bag. This reusable silicone bag comes in a variety of colours and is very easy to clean and sterilize!
Mask Filters
Face mask filters are much more delicate than reusable masks. The PM2.5 masks filters that you can find at London Drugs are not washable. If you are using them, remove it before washing your face mask. After your mask has completely dried, replace the PM2.5 filter with a new one after each use.
If you are choosing to go with reusable face masks, we hope you have found the tips above helpful. Don’t forget, you may want to have more than one reusable mask so you can rotate them during the week, ensuring you will always have a fresh one one hand! You can find our full selection of face masks, filters and personal protection equipment online here.
