How do you clean a reusable face mask? While face masks play a major role in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, improperly cleaned and handled masks can actually help spread COVID-19 instead of protecting against it. We’ve gathered all of our research around face mask care and cleaning to teach you how to keep your face masks clean in the age of COVID.
This article covers everything you need to know about face mask care and face mask cleaning. We cover how to wash a cloth face mask with or without a washing machine, how to clean a face mask with a filter, how to handle and store reusable face masks, and how to stay safe while wearing a mask at work.
According to the CDC, masks should be washed after every use.
“If you’re using [your mask] and going out to run errands, you run the risk of having droplets collect on the surface of the mask,” said Dr. Cassandra Pierre, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center in The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
If you’re wondering how to clean a cloth face mask, the answer is in your laundry room. For most of us, cleaning a mask is simple:
In most situations, you should not wash masks by hand. However, that may be the only option if you need to reuse the same mask or don’t have access to a washing machine. In that case, the CDC recommends the following instructions:
If your mask is delicate or features beading, embroidery, or sequins like many wedding masks, you might not want to throw it in the washing machine or use a bleach solution. In that case, Good Housekeeping recommends hand washing your mask with soap and warm or hot water for at least 20 seconds drying them as described above.
That same article points out that delicate masks can also be ironed on the high-heat linen or cotton setting for additional peace of mind.
Always make sure to remove any filters from your mask before washing. Most mask filters are intended for limited use, so you should plan on replacing them frequently, according to the manufacturer’s directions. The PM 2.5 filters and polypropylene moisture barrier inserts we offer at Knotty Tie should be replaced at least once a week, or more frequently for heavy use.
While some mask filters are designed to be washed, The Chicago Tribune warns that every wash decreases a filter’s effectiveness. If you decide to risk laundering your filter anyway, that article recommends hand washing it, then drying it with a hairdryer held 6-8 inches away.
Since homemade filters made from coffee filters, paper towels, or other paper products will disintegrate when washed, they should be discarded after every use.
You can wash reusable face masks as often as you need, as long as the mask still fits and functions properly. Like any frequently worn and laundered garment, reusable face masks will eventually show signs of wear and tear.
While washing your masks, take a second to look them over for frays, threadbare patches, or sagging elastic. Frayed or threadbare fabric is less effective at preventing droplet spread, while worn elastic can make your mask fit too loosely. Visibly worn and damaged masks should be replaced.
A mask that is worn and washed daily will wear out faster than a mask that is only worn for occasional errands. Students and essential workers who need to mask up every day may want to rotate between several masks to reduce the wear and tear on each one.
Once you’ve worn your mask in public, you should assume it is contaminated with virus particles. John Hopkins Medicine outlines 5 steps to safely removing a face mask:
To keep your freshly laundered face mask clean until you need it, avoid bringing your mask into contact with anything that might be carrying virus particles. This includes your hands, your phone, and the inside of your bag or pocket.
Wash or sanitize your hands before taking your clean mask from the dryer. Immediately place the mask inside a fresh zip-top bag or a sanitized reusable container until you are ready to use it. You can use those zip-top bags later to store your used face mask until it can be laundered, as described above.
Yes, workplaces have become a common source of community spread and employees should be as stringent as possible in their precautions.
During a long shift, essential workers need to ensure their face masks remain dry. According to Nursing Times, masks that are damp with exhaled moisture or other fluids are less efficient at filtering bacteria and more likely to vent infected particles as you breathe. This is one reason that essential workers, in particular, may want to consider using masks with polypropylene moisture barrier inserts.
The CDC recommends waiting to take a mask off until you get home. However, if you’re an essential worker, you will probably need to remove your mask during a coffee or lunch break. In this case, the safest option is to carry one or two clean masks with you.
To change masks, safely remove the old mask as described above, making sure to store it in a clearly marked bag for later laundering. Immediately wash or sanitize your hands. Remember to wash or sanitize your hands again before safely putting your clean mask on.
Washing reusable face masks is surprisingly simple: run them through the hot cycle on your washing machine, using ordinary detergent. But washing your mask isn’t enough. You also have to wash your hands.
Always remember that used face masks can spread infected droplets if improperly stored or handled. At the same time, clean face masks can also pick up infected droplets from your hands, phone, or other contaminated surfaces. As a general rule, you should wash or sanitize your hands before and after handling your mask.
Keep your masks clean by storing them in zip-top bags or similar containers. Similarly, keep used masks in their own bag until you can wash them — and whatever you do, don’t mix up your clean and dirty masks!
Wearing a face mask and keeping it clean is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Every time you wash your hands or peel a face mask off by the ear loops, remember that you are doing it to keep yourself and others safe. Thank you for doing your part.
Read The 411 on Face Masks, or contact our sales and support team to help. Contact us here.
A printed face mask is as customizable and practical as a t-shirt, but suitable for formal and informal occasions alike given current events. The best part - you don’t have to be an artist or designer to create a custom printed face mask personalized with your logo, artwork, or custom text. Here's how ours come to life.
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Adult Standard | Adult Small |
5" x 9" Fits most male adults. |
4.5" x 8" Fits most women and young adults. |
Regular | Small |
9.5” x 14” Fits most men and those with larger heads. |
8.5" x 14" Fits most women and kids. |
Skinny | Knotty | Classic |
2.25" wide | 2.75" wide | 3.5" wide |
Standard | Long | Extra-Long |
58" long | 62" long | 66" long |
Youth Self-Tied 52" long |
Ages 10+ |
Adult | Kids Pre-Tied | Baby Pre-Tied |
Self-tied style Adjustable for necks 14-18" |
Ages 2 and over Adjustable velcro closure |
Ages 2 and under Adjustable velcro closure |
S/M | L/XL |
Comparable to 0-14 in Women's sizing Comparable to Small or Medium in Men's sizing 31" wide at the waist 36" length |
Comparable to 16-26 in Women's sizing Comparable to Large or X-Large in Men's sizing 35" wide at the waist 39" length |
Kevin Gaertner
Author