It is normal to wash face masks every day, isn’t it?

[Bvop]

Promoted by another thread - but also by a couple of friends who always seem to be wearing the same face mask: what’s normal re washing? I have one mask all day at work but it goes in the laundry basket when I get home, as do the kids’ and if we go out again we get new masks from the basket of clean ones. This is normal, isn’t it, and it’s gross to wear the same mask unwashed for more than one day?

Masks washed after each use - it’s not difficult to remember. Basic good hygiene.

Surely you wash it as often as you would discard a disposable?

I try to avoid wearing masks as much as possible as hate the things. So those that are only worn for a couple of mins while I pop into a shop quick will get put back in my bag. If I go on a proper shopping trip where the mask is worn a lot through the day it will go in the wash. Basically, if I've needed to put in contact lenses to wear it then it needs washing!

If I had to wear it for work it would be washed daily.

@Ellmau

Surely you wash it as often as you would discard a disposable?

Disposable ones can be worn several times before they disintegrate so yes!

@MightNeedABiggerGlass

Hmmm I shower daily, bedding changed weekly but mask hygiene has clearly passed me by

Main reason is I'm not convinced about masks and would rather distance myself from people I don't live with.

Same here. I'd rather distance than wear masks and only do it where it's compulsory. We've been pretty strict about not mixing with anyone, not been out much unless we have to etc.

Keep a screwed up grubby one in the door pocket of the car to put on if I nip to the shop or into the petrol station. Probably one in my coat pocket along with poo bags and dog treats too in case I stop by the News Agent on my dog walk.

YANBU for doing this
YABU for insisting it is normal and that others should do as you do

Overall YABU

I wear them for work every day. Retail.
I think of it as a germ filter - my germs on the inside, other people's germs on the outside.
Once it comes off my face it goes in the wash, absolutely!

I bought 4 packs of re-usable masks from M&S (5 in a pack).

3 of us in the household.

The masks go into the laundry basket at the end of each day and they are washed and ironed ready for re-use.

Who wants to wear a mask that you've been breathing into all day again and again?

I see posts on SM about friends getting skin issues from wearing masks and it's surprising how many of them don't correlate that issue from wearing a dirty mask for days/weeks on end.

Most people would be horrified by the idea of not wearing clean underwear every day, but have no concerns about mask hygiene - the mind boggles

I wash mine after wearing but I do have a number of the same mask so people could think that I always wear the same one!
My teenage son takes a clean one to school every day.

Washing masks?

No, this one has passed me by.....

People iron masks!

@wotchhha

People iron masks!

well I do.....

If I'm going to wear something covering half my face I want it to look less wrinkled than the skin underneath it

Plus it looks nicer ironed and it kills off any lingering nasties (and takes 30 seconds per mask if that).

I use disposable face masks.

I’m going to be honest with you - I am in my early 20s and I am very attractive. That sounds so obnoxious, I know. But I don’t want to ruin my skin with masks, as masks can lead to breakouts as there’s plenty of bacteria festering under face coverings and the moist environment is perfect for breakout formation. Therefore for pure vanity reasons, I want to live out the prime of my life with good skin, so would never reuse a mask.

As pp said l only wear mine cos l gave to and as soon as restrictions are eased l will not wear it.
Gets washed if and when l remember.

Have not gave

I’ve never washed our masks. I must be so totally lacking in self respect 🙄

Washed everyday. 3 clean masks used by two adults and two teens in our household. Cant think why people wouldn’t wash face masks like they should do socks and underwear-mind you, I wouldn’t change those 3 times a day!

I have three fabric ones. I wash them when it occurs to me - which isn’t often. They get worn for about 10 minutes a day max on the school run.

Not washing a mask is the same as not washing your knickers, imo.

I'm far from a hygiene freak (wash towels and bedding maybe once a month) but can't imagine wearing dirty masks.

@wingsnthat

I use disposable face masks.

I’m going to be honest with you - I am in my early 20s and I am very attractive. That sounds so obnoxious, I know. But I don’t want to ruin my skin with masks, as masks can lead to breakouts as there’s plenty of bacteria festering under face coverings and the moist environment is perfect for breakout formation. Therefore for pure vanity reasons, I want to live out the prime of my life with good skin, so would never reuse a mask.

Sounds reasonable to me apart from I'm trying to be more environmentally friendly so have avoided disposable masks.

That said we all have fresh masks every day.

Can't fathom why people would want to wear masks repeatedly - as you say it's a ripe moist environment for bacteria which isn't good for your skin or lungs....

As for ironing them...

My mind is blown but then I try very hard to never iron anything.

@LittleBearPad

As for ironing them...

My mind is blown but then I try very hard to never iron anything.

Sorry...

Still going to keep ironing my masks though

StormcloakNord

I have about 3 masks I often scramble to find. Bought them at the start of this pandemic and they've never been washed grin whoops!

I only wear them because I have to though, not because I think it offers any form of protection.

Same for me.

Tbf I very rarely iron but I've never noticed that my masks are even slightly creased.