Covid-19: How To Disinfect Your Face Mask For Reuse

Healthwire Bureau

The Covid-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people via respiratory droplets and contact routes. Wearing a face mask help in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and prevents it from spreading, as it acts as a barrier to catch the respiratory droplets that are released when people cough, sneeze, or talk.

Some types of masks are not intended for reuse, but there are a few things you can do to sanitize them, upgrade filtration, and extend their lives.

Here are some strategies to safely disinfect common types of masks for reuse-

To clean your mask, run it through the washing machine and dryer after use. The water doesn’t necessarily need to be hot but makes sure to use a laundry detergent. If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you can wash it in a bowl using soap.

According to the ministry of health, ‘Regular household soap or detergent with hot water should be used for washing the mask first and then, dried properly before they are used. Masks should be discarded and changed if they become physically damaged or soaked.’

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the cloth masks should be washed at least once a day. One can disinfect the mask by separately washing it in a washing machine or with hot water and soap. Let the mask get completely dry before you use it again.

Another option is to put the mask into a paper bag and leave it in a warm place for at least two days. After that, the virus will become inactive and won’t be infectious.

You obviously shouldn’t wash a mask like an N95 because that can compromise the integrity of the filters.

Dr. KK Aggarwal, president of the Confederation of Medical Organisations of Asia and Oceania brought to you an easy technique, which could allow the masks to get disinfected and make it safer for reuse, something simple as ‘heating’ the mask could relatively disinfect the virus, and help recycle them for further use. Check out the video below to simply disinfect your N95 mask at home.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1013621575718374

Mask-wearing is essential to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 but it’s also important to sterilize and disinfect your masks before and after use. It’s also important to keep them safely, at home so that you prevent the risk of unnecessary exposure.

 

Blue or green, disposable masks that create a physical barrier and provide protection against droplets contaminants in the immediate environment should be disposed of properly immediately upon removal.

According to WHO, “Disposable Masks used by patients/caregivers/close contacts during home care should be disinfected using ordinary bleach solution (5%) or sodium hypochlorite solution (1%) and then disposed of using separate bins and bags for the safe collection of Covid waste.”

How to wear a mask safely?

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