How to clean your face mask and protect your skin

Wearing masks has become the new normal everywhere. It used to be something that’s worn by very few people on rare occasions but now it’s a necessity.

The most ridiculous bit is, being without a mask in public could expose you to a fine, by law, for the sake of your “health.”

As we adjust to the life of wearing masks, we have to learn how to use them the right way. There are some instructions given like choosing the right masks that have been approved and the proper way to handle them as well.

Some masks, like the paper masks, are meant to be worn once and disposed because any attempt to wash them will tamper with their effectiveness. Those that have been made out of cloth, which is what most people have because they’re more cost effective, are meant to and should be washed before reuse.

People have come up with all sorts of ways to disinfect their masks including warming them in the microwave with the hope that the rays will kill the bacteria and others even put them in the dishwasher which isn’t safe or hygienic.

These makeshift methods do more harm than good. And why would you go through all that stress when all you need to do is wash them properly?

Washing is the most effective way to disinfect the mask without damaging it. This will eliminate any risk of COVID-19 infection and protect your skin as well. Anytime you reuse a mask without disinfecting it exposes you to both risks. Or does it?

This is the proper procedure to follow when washing.

Eliminate any bacteria by washing your hands with soap and water or by sanitizing them with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Remember to rub your hands for not less than 20 seconds whether you’re using the soap or sanitizer. That’s the recommended amount of time that is effective enough to kill the bacteria.

Don’t touch the front part of your mask. This step is sometimes easy to forget but you have to train yourself not to be too quick to remove the mask haphazardly. Remove it by unhooking or untying it from the back of your head or the ears. Fold it carefully by enclosing the outer exposed side against itself to avoid contamination and place it in a sealable bag if you’re not washing it right away.

You should have your washing basin ready. Use normal powder detergent and wash with hot or warm water. Avoid very harsh chemicals that can damage your mask. The corrosive chemicals could also lead to severe skin irritation as well.

Dip the mask and hand wash it thoroughly. The detergent is very effective in breaking the membranes of the virus and that’s basically what you need.

Thorough washing is also for the purpose of removing dust particles and bacteria that usually cause skin irritation and breakouts.

After proper washing, make sure you remove any residue on the mask by rinsing enough times. Again, this eliminates any residue that can affect your skin especially if you’re sensitive.

Lastly, let the mask dry properly before wearing it again.

If you have a washing machine, you can just toss your mask in, put enough detergent and start the cycle. Some machines even come with a sanitation setting which is the best cycle setting to remove any microorganisms on your mask.

You should also remember that any mask that has holes or tears in them need to be disposed immediately.