Knowing how to disinfect a mask correctly is as important as knowing how to put it on and, if you can’t find one, knowing how to make it yourself at home with the right materials. we tell you which masks can be given more than one use and how to disinfect masks with different methods: in the microwave, in the washing machine, with bleach… It will be of great help!
What masks can be used more than once?
Before getting fully into the topic of how to disinfect masks, let’s see which masks can be reused and which are single-use. It should be noted that many of these masks do not protect us but only protect a third party, that is, they are just a complement, so it is still essential to maintain a safety distance of at least one meter and continue washing your hands. Frequently. It will be so that we can prevent the spread of a certain type of virus.
These are the masks that cannot be reused
-The so-called hygienic masks such as, for example, those that the Government distributes these days on public transport in various cities in Spain. They are single-use masks, what’s more, saving a mask of this type to use it on another occasion would mean saving all the contamination that may have remained in it.
–Surgical masks cannot be reused either. The surgical one, which differs from the hygienic one due to the material and the way it is sewn, gives us greater protection but only for third parties. They must stop being used and discarded once they get wet from the front part.
These are the masks that CAN be washed and reused
-The self-filtering mask, which protects third parties and whoever wears it, can be used again once it has been washed correctly. We will know that it is a reusable FFP mask because it has the letter ‘R’ printed on it.
–Cloth masks, those that are bought or those that we can make at home ourselves, can also be given more than one use. Their level of protection is similar to that of hygienic masks, however, due to their material, they are susceptible to washing at more than 60 degrees and reusing.
How to disinfect masks correctly
Now let’s see how we can disinfect the masks that are for more than one use.
+Can they be disinfected in the microwave?
Well yes. As explained in a study published by the University of Oxford, the water vapor generated in the microwave is a reliable method for disinfecting this type of mask as it does not modify its filtering system. To disinfect yours, you have to put it in the microwave at maximum power for at least two minutes together with a container with about 50 ml of water.
You can also use the oven to clean the mask. The appropriate temperature will be 70ºC and the time will be about 30 minutes.
Although these are two reliable disinfection methods, experts advise that it is safer if other techniques such as the ones we are going to detail now are used.
+Boil your mask for deep disinfection
The best way to clean, disinfect and sterilize masks that have been used for more than one use is with heat. To do this, we will boil some water and put the mask in for at least 5 minutes.
You must bear in mind that, even if they are reusable masks, they do not last long, what is more, after several boils, the fabric of the mask can begin to deteriorate and impair its breathability. In this case we will have to replace the mask with a new one.
How many uses can this type of cloth mask last? Well, depending on how long you wear it, it can last you approximately 10 uses. However, the most advisable thing is that after each wash you look at the fabric carefully to check that it is in good condition.
+Disinfect masks in the washing machine
Can I wash the mask in the washing machine to disinfect it? Yes, of course, it is another very valid method. For the disinfection to be correct, it has to be put in a hot water wash cycle above 60ºC. As for the detergent, you can use the usual one, it is not necessary to use any special one.
Do I have to put a washing machine just for the mask? No, you can take the opportunity to wash the clothes of the day, the sheets or the towels, but make sure that these clothes resist high temperatures.
+Hot water and bleach to clean the masks
What else can we do to clean the masks? Well, submerge them in the hot water solution with a few drops of commercial use bleach. The water has to be hot but it does not need to be at 60ºC as we are already adding the bleach as a disinfectant. Leave it in the water and bleach solution for about 10 or 15 minutes, do not leave it much longer as the fabric could be damaged.
After that time you will have to rinse the mask well with warm water, then let it dry at room temperature or dry in the dryer. Keep in mind that the dryer will make the mask ready to use in a short time but, on the other hand, it can be damaged sooner after several drying cycles.
We have then that you can use a bleach solution and water to disinfect your mask, but you cannot use one based on chlorine or alcohol because they can damage the filtering fibers of the mask or retain gases that are harmful to health.
Extra tips to keep the mask in good condition
- Once we have seen which are the masks that can be reused, which are only for one use and what we must do for optimal disinfection, we can only quickly see some extra tips to keep our mask in perfect condition for as long as possible:
- If you are going to make a homemade cloth mask, go ahead, but make sure you follow the steps well, adjust it according to the shape of your face and use the right materials.
- In the event that you buy the mask, before using it, read the instructions for use carefully and, if it can be done, what are the reliable methods to wash it. If you are going to buy it at the pharmacy, you can take the opportunity to ask any questions you have, so you will feel calmer.
- When putting it on and taking it off, also follow the necessary steps, avoid, above all, touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
- Observe the mask after each wash to verify that it is in good condition. Replace with another when necessary.
- The mask, even if it has been washed well, cannot be shared with anyone else, it is for personal use.
- Finally, keep in mind that if you are going to dry the mask in the dryer after each wash it may shrink, so it may fit a little tighter.