How to clean and sanitize your COVID-19 face mask
Face masks became an integral part of outings for most people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because the CDC and other health organizations encourage Americans to wear masks in public to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Masks help protect against spreading saliva, or other bodily fluids that may contain COVID-19. Cloth face masks have been difficult to find since the pandemic began, but don’t worry, you can easily make your own with supplies you already have. Tap or click for easy DIY face masks.
With so many unknowns, it’s important to have a good idea of both how to wear your mask correctly — and how to clean it. It’s not enough to just wear a mask — it needs to be done so properly and with care, and your masks need to be regularly disinfected to keep both you and others safe. Let’s take a look at how to do that.
How to correctly wear a mask
Per the latest guidelines issued on May 26, the CDC recommends everyone wear cloth face coverings when leaving their homes, regardless of whether they have fever or symptoms of COVID-19. That means you need to wear a mask any time you leave your home, whether you’re riding a bike, shopping for groceries, browsing the shops that are open, or taking any type of public transportation.
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While masks may not be required in your area, it’s still a good idea to heed the recommendations by the CDC. These guidelines were issued because there is evidence that people with COVID-19 can spread the disease — even when they don’t have symptoms.
It’s important to note, however, that cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing. It may go without saying, but the CDC also states that masks should not be used on people who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Simply wearing a mask won’t cut it, though. You also need to make sure that you’re wearing your mask correctly, which can be surprisingly difficult to do. Your mask needs to cover your nose — not just your mouth — and it needs to fit snugly on your face, no matter how uncomfortable that feels to you.
To wear a mask correctly:
- Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before handling your mask, or use hand sanitizer if you’re not in close proximity to a sink
- Make sure your mask’s interior side is what’s facing your face
- Ensure the mouth and nose are fully covered
- Check to be sure the covering fits snugly against the sides of the face so there are no gaps
- Be sure you do not have any difficulty breathing while wearing the cloth face covering
- Be sure the cloth face covering can be tied or otherwise secured to prevent slipping
To remove your mask, try to avoid touching the exterior part of the mask. Remove it by pulling the straps away from your ears and then place it in a bag or container that can be easily cleaned until you’re ready to wash it and wear it again.
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