Using Your Mask
Cloth masks should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of
use. We recommend washing your mask after every use, therefore having at
least two masks is advisable, that way, you can change your masks as
needed.
Your mask can be cleaned using hot water and regular detergent, and then
drying the mask on a high heat setting.
Masks can also be hand-washed, by leaving them to soak in boiling water
for at least 10 minutes and then washing with regular detergent. The
mask can be hung to dry, but then folded in half and pressed with a hot
iron.
Before putting your mask on, you should wash your hands with soap and
water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Once on, the mask should
fit snugly around the nose and mouth. Avoid touching the mask while
using it.
Removing a mask should be done from behind – don’t touch the front of
the mask. The
CDC
says to avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes, and wash your hands
immediately after removing it.
Cloth masks should be used in conjunction with other recommended
practices, such as social distancing, hand-washing, and staying at home
unless absolutely necessary.
General Information About Masks
Cloth masks are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are
critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare
workers and medical first responders.
There is
increasing evidence in favour of masks . Even a cloth mask, if worn properly, is more likely to help that to
hurt and may reduce exposure to COVID-19.
Cotton masks filter up to 60% of particles at best. Adding a filter to
the mask may improve its performance. Look for material with balanced
filtration and breathability.
A piece of HEPA vacuum-cleaner bag may improve filtration, but is not as
breathable.
Clothing designers from Suay Sew Shop in LA tested dozens of fabrics and
discovered that using stretchy,
blue shop towels made from a polyester hydro knit can filter
particles 2x to 3x better than cotton . Inserting two of these towels into an ordinary cotton mask brought
filtration up to 93% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Additionally, cleaning towels made from a plastic called polypropylene,
are also highly effective for filtration. Industrial makers of the
material are now dedicating themselves to manufacturing
medical-protection supplies, so this fabric will be difficult to source
for use as a filter.
For more information on cloth face coverings, please refer to the
CDC website ↗ .
