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Coronavirus

Mask washing

(85 Posts)
winterwhite Tue 01-Sep-20 12:06:30

Who's have thought we'd be reduced to worrying about washing face masks?
But what's this I read about the 'correct' procedure: reusable face masks should be washed after every use at 60 degrees?! Has everyone but me doing this all along? I thought those little filters would obviate the need for that and even disposable masks are, or used to be until no doubt the mask police came along, marketed for use 4-5 times. There'll be mask shortages soon as cotton masks shrink at daily washes at 60 degrees.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 10-Nov-20 14:40:20

I doubt hospital staff wear the same mask for all of a working day.

Here we are told they should never be put back on again if you take them off without disinfecting them.

SpringyChicken Tue 10-Nov-20 17:26:06

The guidance I've read says it is sufficient to wash them in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry and normal washing detergent. Air dry or tumble. I press mine with a steam iron for good measure.

PamelaJ1 Tue 10-Nov-20 18:02:46

Lucca

I’m exhausted from injecting the turkey with disinfectant ready for Christmas which is only 45 days away.

OMG, I haven’t got my turkey yet, will I be too late?
I’m too busy trying to book accommodation for the Lytham festival next June/July.
It’s all full or really really expensive. I do hope I won’t have to worry about washing masks by then.

Alexa Tue 10-Nov-20 18:04:21

I wash my pale blue disposables in hot toilet- soap suds. Virus is not very robust when it is out of the living host tissues. Better to wash masks frequently than put them up your sleeve of into a pocket.

maddyone Wed 11-Nov-20 10:18:12

I don’t believe for one minute that the only way to clean a washable mask is to wash it at 60 degrees. Detergent, soap, and disinfectant kills the virus, so if the mask is washed with a normal laundry detergent, it will be cleaned.

Callistemon Wed 11-Nov-20 12:09:13

Callistemon, I have found that the steam from my Christmas sprouts, which have, of course, been boiling away for several months now, is keeping my kitchen permanently steam-cleaned, so that saves a bit of time.

Wheniwasyourage - well done, I am all for short cuts in cleaning.
My sprouts are well on the way too, I must go and add a handful of bicarbonate of soda because that keeps them nice and green.

maddyone Wed 11-Nov-20 13:17:59

Lucca have you thought of injecting your turkey with Brandy? Alcohol is a good disinfectant grin

Wheniwasyourage Wed 11-Nov-20 16:29:32

That's why I make sure that I have a nice glass of wine on the day I've done the shopping, maddyone. It's just as well to be careful! grin

maddyone Wed 11-Nov-20 17:11:11

Wheniwasyourage What a very good idea grin