How to Clean Your Reusable Face Mask

I posted on how to make face masks. As a result, I got questions on how to make masks fit tighter and how to clean masks for re-use.  There are a lot of different opinions out there on how to sanitize, wash, or dry a reusable face mask made from fabric or other materials.  However, it is recommended to make sure you have sanitized the mask before wearing it again,  I also highly recommend you have more than one mask so you always have a clean one available to wear.

Easy Options to Clean a Fabric Face Mask:

• If the mask has tie straps, wash it on warm or hot in a washing machine with other laundry that can be cleaned at that temperature too, then toss in the dryer too.  To prevent straps from tangling around other laundry, tie all the straps  together with an overhand knot before putting into machine.
• If the mask has elastic straps, put it in a lingerie laundry bag designed for delicates (or tie into a pillow case if you don't have a bag) to prevent the elastic from getting stretched and stressed. Wash in machine with hot water.   Then hang them to dry by the fabric portion of mask, this too is to prevent stretching out the elastic.
• Hand wash either type of mask with liquid laundry detergent (ot if you don;t have that use an antibacterial dishwashing liquid) rubbing until it is lathered well.  Then let soak in hot water for 30 minutes.  Finally hang it up or lay it on a sanitized counter to completely dry overnight.  If you want to use this method, you may want to watch video at bottom of this post for step-by-step instructions.

Other suggestions I have heard, but not tried, include:

• Placing a tie-on mask in boiling water for 10 minutes on-the-stove or for 30 minutes off-the-stove.  Do not do this with elastic as it may melt the rubber portion of the elastic.
• Steam cleaning is recommended for N95 polypropylene masks per YouTube video.  However, OSHA does not recommend reusing this type of mask.  
• Repro suggests hand washing method for reusable face masks containing filters.
• Disposable and paper masks are meant for one-time use, so washing is not recommended as it will cause the mask to disintegrate.  However, if you need to sanitize them for re-use, Dr Parikh told Glamour magazine how to kill some germs “If you have a limited supply, we recommend placing the mask in a safe, isolated place, such as a paper bag, for three to five days and then reusing.”
• Hanging a fabric or non-fabric mask outside so the sun's UV rays can kill the germs.  If you have allergies, you probably do not want to try this one.