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Mask question... (Original Post) albacore Aug 2020 OP
I think the virus dies after several days on surfaces. louis-t Aug 2020 #1
Maybe, maybe not, but you can wash them. TreasonousBastard Aug 2020 #2
Yes. BigmanPigman Aug 2020 #3
It probably would, but you have enough to hand wash them between wearing. Arkansas Granny Aug 2020 #4
wash them handmade34 Aug 2020 #5
Everyone should watch this. In_The_Wind Aug 2020 #10
Works for me. we can do it Aug 2020 #6
Wash the mask after each wearing. In_The_Wind Aug 2020 #7
That is what I do as well. n/t ChazII Aug 2020 #26
If you can wash them do so RhodeIslandOne Aug 2020 #8
That is what HCWs are doing w dry heat being key as the virus is definitely inactivated 65 C (149F) hlthe2b Aug 2020 #9
I rotate and wash. MerryBlooms Aug 2020 #11
Leave the one that you wear in sunshine. Use a glove to flip it to expose each side for 2 hours. Blue_true Aug 2020 #12
Tech tip for cloth masks...Wash but afterwards add a small amount of soap. Boxerfan Aug 2020 #13
It should...but please consider washing them in sudsy water and allowing them to dry in the sun Baltimike Aug 2020 #14
I put the ones I am not using right up against the windshield... 3catwoman3 Aug 2020 #15
I throw my masks on the dash of my car when I get home from the grocery store. hunter Aug 2020 #16
Just throw them in a dryer under "refresh" setting AmericanCanuck Aug 2020 #17
Ew, sorry, no Hekate Aug 2020 #31
If you wear the procedure mask, the blue disposable ones, you can reuse them a few times mucifer Aug 2020 #18
Cloth masks are usually washable. LisaL Aug 2020 #19
What you're doing should work fine by itself... Unrepentant Fenian Aug 2020 #20
Your mask is going to have all kinds of bacteria that you are breathing out. LisaL Aug 2020 #21
Thanks, everybody.... nt albacore Aug 2020 #22
Saw someplace that the virus is probably dead after 72 hours. Liberal In Texas Aug 2020 #23
You won't catch Covid from reusing a mask in that rotation but their gonna stink. herding cats Aug 2020 #24
Rotate masks and when they are dry after handwashing Cairycat Aug 2020 #25
I have a mask and when I put it on it smells like updog. TheBlackAdder Aug 2020 #27
Why not just wash them? You don't have to use a washing machine each time. Use detergent and a sink Flaleftist Aug 2020 #28
I wash every time. It's taken me this long to feel I have more than enough... Hekate Aug 2020 #29
has anyone tried applying a hair dryer on the hot setting? harumph Aug 2020 #30

louis-t

(23,199 posts)
1. I think the virus dies after several days on surfaces.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 08:48 PM
Aug 2020

I rotate mine but still wash them about once a week.

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
7. Wash the mask after each wearing.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 08:52 PM
Aug 2020

Toss 'em into a mesh laundry bag and let the machine clean them for you. No worries.

hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
9. That is what HCWs are doing w dry heat being key as the virus is definitely inactivated 65 C (149F)
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 08:56 PM
Aug 2020

In the hottest direct sun within a parked car in summer time, it is possible to reach those temps.

BTW, you will see a lot of misunderstandings over heat versus UV light inactivation with some poorly informed writers indicating that ozone layer prevents sufficient UVC wave light to penetrate (BS) as do treated UV-blocking windshields (real issue). But they do not understand that it is dry HEAT, not UV that HCWs and others are relying on to inactivate when they rotate masks on their car windshields.

UVC, by the way DOES inactivate the virus readily and some are buying bags and boxes with UVC lights. The problem is that there has been no validation of these various items to prove the UV-C generated is sufficient, so buyer beware. SOme HCWs are buying them anyway and running their masks through them AFTER several days of dry heat exposure as an added measure.


But, if you are only wearing cloth masks, washing in soapy water and drying them is your best bet.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
12. Leave the one that you wear in sunshine. Use a glove to flip it to expose each side for 2 hours.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 08:59 PM
Aug 2020

In terms of the virus, it should be as good as new. But if you ate an onion cheeseburger and spoke while wearing it, maybe washing it in warm soap and water before the sunshine may be a good idea.

Boxerfan

(2,531 posts)
13. Tech tip for cloth masks...Wash but afterwards add a small amount of soap.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:19 PM
Aug 2020

Dish washing liquid soap is typically anti-bacterial scented etc...

The Cornona "shell" is destroyed by contact with soap. If you lather it up lightly after wash & rinse-then wring it mostly dry-this will leave a small amount of soap behind. Leave it to dry in the sun if possible.

Theoretically this will help destroy any virus that it comes across. And I don't mind the scented part it goes away fairly fast.

Baltimike

(4,126 posts)
14. It should...but please consider washing them in sudsy water and allowing them to dry in the sun
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:21 PM
Aug 2020

sunlight is the best disinfectant

3catwoman3

(23,820 posts)
15. I put the ones I am not using right up against the windshield...
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:28 PM
Aug 2020

...in my car on the days I am working, so they get sunlight all day.

I also wash them regularly.

hunter

(38,264 posts)
16. I throw my masks on the dash of my car when I get home from the grocery store.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:34 PM
Aug 2020

I'm hoping three days or more of heat and sunshine is enough.

My wife is a front line health care worker. When she gets home from work she throws all her stuff in the plastic "biohazard" bin and heads straight for the shower. I wash her clothes with sanitizer.

That's in addition to the decontamination she does when she leaves work.

I hate this.

mucifer

(23,374 posts)
18. If you wear the procedure mask, the blue disposable ones, you can reuse them a few times
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:41 PM
Aug 2020

Best to fold them inward and put them in a paper lunch bag. Wash or sanitize your hands after putting the mask on again.

LisaL

(44,962 posts)
19. Cloth masks are usually washable.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 09:45 PM
Aug 2020

Think of all the bacteria you are breathing out, even if you stick close to home and are not actually exposed to covid virus (that you know of). So it's best to wash them regularly. Some cloth mask should be washed by hand, some are machine washable.
After wearing, I leave my cloth masks to sit for a week or so, then wash them by hand and air dry, so they are clean for next wear. The reason for hand washing is that my summer masks are made of silk, so have to be hand washed.

Unrepentant Fenian

(1,078 posts)
20. What you're doing should work fine by itself...
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:04 PM
Aug 2020

I know that a virus is nothing more than a strand of DNA or RNA that is surrounded by a protein coat. The bonds that hold the viral proteins together are relatively weak. That's why the experts tell you to wash your hands for 20 seconds. That's long enough for the soap to break down the protein coat and the viral DNA/RNA has lost it's protective coat and it's pretty much rendered ineffective. So if you leave your masks in a mildly soapy solution for more than 20 seconds, I'm sure that alone would kill off any virus on them.

From what I've heard, but can't swear to is Covid will die on cloth in 72 hours. I'd like to point out that when the experts tell you to wash your hands for 20 seconds, what they should be saying is to work the soap into your hands for 20 seconds then rinse with a lot of friction and copious amounts of clean water.
I hope this helps.

LisaL

(44,962 posts)
21. Your mask is going to have all kinds of bacteria that you are breathing out.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:11 PM
Aug 2020

"Ryan Sinclair, PhD, MPH, associate professor of environmental microbiology at Loma Linda University School of Public Health says his research supports that fabric, when not properly disinfected, are carriers for both bacteria, including E. coli, and viruses — norovirus and coronavirus."
https://news.llu.edu/health-wellness/part-of-wearing-mask-washing-mask-here-s-best-way

Liberal In Texas

(13,453 posts)
23. Saw someplace that the virus is probably dead after 72 hours.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:15 PM
Aug 2020

There was a lot of speculation back when this first started about things being contaminated for a week or 2 weeks and how long it would be on various materials. I can't find the source, but the latest I saw is that outside a host (a person) for awhile the virus doens't do to well, especially with no liquid. The reports of finding the virus on things a week later turned out to be that the RNA of the virus was being found, the broken remains after it's demise.

I'm putting gloves and masks in paper bags and letting them sit for a week. I feel that is probably sufficient.

You should probably do what you feel comfortable with.



herding cats

(19,549 posts)
24. You won't catch Covid from reusing a mask in that rotation but their gonna stink.
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:20 PM
Aug 2020

I wash all my masks I've wore in hot water (and heat dry them, but I have a small frame.) on Sunday. I wear one per day, only. I, too have 6, but I don't need that many right now. My reasoning is JIK something changes I want to be ready. Everything is so in flux these days.

Cairycat

(1,697 posts)
25. Rotate masks and when they are dry after handwashing
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:23 PM
Aug 2020

iron them ... that heat will kill the virus

Or throw them in the washer and wash and/or dry with heat, whichever's convienient and will have the mask ready the next time you need it

Flaleftist

(3,473 posts)
28. Why not just wash them? You don't have to use a washing machine each time. Use detergent and a sink
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:39 PM
Aug 2020

I have cloth masks that I hand wash in the sink and hang them up to air dry.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
29. I wash every time. It's taken me this long to feel I have more than enough...
Tue Aug 4, 2020, 11:56 PM
Aug 2020

I have a stash of N95s left over from the last big regional fire, but they are painfully uncomfortable. The first two cloth masks were gifts from my SIL, but the elastic is too short and hurts.

From Amazon I got a 5-pack of white cotton washable face masks, brand name VTER, $19.95. They’re comfortable for me, 2 thick layers, and machine washable. I am just not out of the house that much to worry about running out, but I do like being able to use one for my errands and then put it in a mesh bag for washing. Turns out I’m sanitizing all my purchases like crazy when I get home, and re-wearing the mask for the next day just doesn’t feel right.

Yesterday when we were at Costco I saw a multi-pack that was very affordable, $12 for 4 I think it was. Those are machine washable, polyester/spandex, 4-pack face cover, brand name 32 Degrees Cool. They are black, stretchy, thin, and light, and I see a lot of people wearing what looks like the same thing. Sometimes they wear a colorful cloth mask over it, which is what I may do since 32* Cool is a single layer.

That’s all. Everybody has to find their own comfort zone these days.

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