Properly Storing Face Masks

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While it’s hard to believe, has already been half a year since the first outbreak of COVID19 in Wuhan, China. As a result, we find ourselves in the new normal of wearing face masks everywhere. Six months later, and the world has experienced a global shortage of PPEs, face masks included, leading to the CDC releasing strategies to optimize use and supply of these masks — strategies that can be used by everyday citizens, too, to safely maximize the use of masks they’ve purchased.

According to the website, not all face masks can be re-used. Face masks with elastic ear hooks may be re-used while those that are fastened via ties, like popular cotton ones, should be more for extended use.

BEFORE AND AFTER TOUCHING YOUR FACE MASKS

In increasing shelf life of your face masks, limiting the instances of microbe transfer is a must. One simple way of doing that is by performing hand hygiene before and after touching your masks.

STORAGE OF FACE MASKS

Storage containers should also be taken into consideration when increasing re-use time of your face masks. Storing your masks individually is a must to avoid contamination. Clean, breathable, and sealable storage bags are preferred (such as paper bags) to eliminate the growth of microbes. Choose a dry, temperature-controlled area to store your face masks to prevent moisture build-up.

PROPER FOLDING OF FACE MASKS FOR STORAGE

Upon removal of face masks, only touch the elastic ear band and carefully fold the masks in half. The outer surface must be held inward with the inside surfaces touching each other to reduce contact with the storage container. Avoid touching the mask itself when folding to limit microbe transfer–most especially the inside surface of a respirator.

CLEANING OF FACE MASKS

Cloth face masks may be cleaned using a washer with detergent and in the warmest appropriate water setting. This is to effectively sanitize from microbes. Air drying overnight is also preferred over using a dryer which may ruin your face mask. For those with sensitive skin and prone to skin irritation, clean and fragrance-free detergents are advised. Here are more tips for skin care for daily mask wearing.

For respirators, washing is not an option to avoid damage to the filter. Instead, you may leave it inside a clean paper bag and store it in a warm or temperate environment for 7 days. This allows enough time for the microbes to die without compromising the filter of your mask. For cloth face masks, 2 days is sufficient.

DISPOSAL OF FACE MASKS

Face masks must be cleaned once moist and soiled. Respirators must be thrown once contaminated or damaged. Integrity of the mask is vital so careful inspection before and after use is a must to decrease your risk of airborne diseases. If masks become hard to breathe through, then disposal is warranted.

The CDC advises on having multiple face masks in handy to alternate one another while disinfecting.

Need to protect your employees but want to give their masks a bit of character? THE/STUDIO is a responsibly-sourced, verified seller of custom, anti-bacterial trifold cotton masks to international companies, family businesses, military groups and individuals. We also sell non-custom disposable and KN95 masks, with fulfillment directly from the United States — meaning your mask order arrives in just a few days. Order here!