Cloth face masks worn as a protective measure against spreading COVID-19 should be washed regularly and stored carefully, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public health experts strongly recommend that people wear a mask made from cotton fabric, such as T-shirts, scarves or bandannas, when they are outside of their homes and when social distancing measures are hard to maintain, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Public health experts said people should wash or sanitize their hands before putting on their masks. Once the mask is on, covering the nose and mouth, people should not touch the mask again. If it has to be readjusted, wash your hands again before doing so.
Once people return home and before taking off their masks, they should wash or sanitize their hands, then remove the mask and fold it to protect the side that was against the face and put it in a new paper bag for storage until needed again. People should wash their hands one more time after they put away their masks.
Health experts said masks should be washed daily after use, preferably in a washing machine with soap and hot water. If you do not have access to a washing machine, masks can be hand washed using soap and water.
Masks should be dried completely, and, if possible, in a hot dryer. The clean, dry mask should be stored in a new paper bag to keep it safe from germs.
The CDC has urged people to use washable cloth coverings to ensure there are enough surgical and N95 masks for health-care workers.
Face Masks Should
- Fit snugly, but comfortably
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Have multiple layers of fabric
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be able to be laundered and machine-dried without damage or change to the shape
Source: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention