I'm keen NOT to wash my face masks - would this work??

[loveyouradvice]

Hi

I don't go out much and probably need to use a face mask 2-3 times a week.

Given the virus dies off in a few days, would it work just to use them once a week without washing? They are pretty and easy to wear and I think will look better if I don't need to wash them

And of course if I needed to wear one more often I can use a disposable

@TeddyIsaHe

Err of course you have to wash them. That’s like saying you don’t wash your pants because you only wear that specific pair every 7 days

That made me

I mean it's totally nothing like pants, but it still made me laugh

I just boil the kettle and put them in a bowl with them when I get home and then bung then in the wash (in a lingerie bag) when ever I do a wash. I have a variety and the all look nice even after washing. Although some are not colourfast (boiling helped to find that out)

@Bercows

Haven't they said masks should be triple layer? By they I mean the WHO? In that case surely most fabric ones being sold or made are not going to be effective? I'm trying to think where I read it now but probably bbc news a couple of days ago.

Is there any decent advice in the UK about washing, changing etc?

Globally they get all this advice including the best material types to use - America it's quilted btw.
Japan/China advice about filters for re-usable masks.

UK wear a bandana, other countries say no and why.
UK knock a t-shirt up, other countries how to safely do this with the correct number of minimal layers.

Check out disease control centres, and health agencies of other countries to get some decent advice regardless of the mask you go with.

I wash them even though I use folded up kitchen roll inside. I can't understand why you wouldn't want to.

I'm shoving ours all in a bin and then I can do them in one go.

I've got about 25 and use one per outing. Put it in a 'car bin' after use and keep all the freshly washed ones in a clean resealable bag which I keep in a box in the car along with kitchen roll, hand gel and gloves.

I wouldn’t wear a summer dress 2-3 days in a row!
But then again I get hot and sweaty

It's interesting how many people get the ironing board out and steam them. Surely it's less time consuming to just put them in the laundry basket (mine has sections so I put them in the 'hot wash' section with sheets etc) and use a clean one?

I think washing is easier than ironing too.

@TimeWastingButFun

I've got about 25 and use one per outing. Put it in a 'car bin' after use and keep all the freshly washed ones in a clean resealable bag which I keep in a box in the car along with kitchen roll, hand gel and gloves.

How much covid organisation is going on across the country??? We've changed so many small things around at home.

Buy disposable medical masks. Honestly, it's just so much easier.

I have an emergency cloth one that I keep in the car (it might be in my jacket pocket actually...) but otherwise have disposables in my bag. They're so much easier to breathe in.

The maker of mine said to hand wash so... it's only been washed once in a few weeks as I only wore it for about 30 mins a time once every 1-2 weeks. It is probably a bit gross but at least wouldn't have had "live virus" on and you've all reminded me to wash it now!

I've just stuck mine in the wash with everything else. They have all come out fine. We have a pile in the hallway and everyone takes one when they go out and sticks it in their laundry basket when the come back again. Then hung out to dry on the line.

I can't see that washing them is difficult.

You should follow this advice! 😁

This is my washing line for 2 people who have to leave the house for work.
Buy enough masks they are not expensive ( ICU beds are) or make your own.

they take 2 minutes to hand wash in hot water with a glug of Milton and dry overnight or on the washing line a quick steam iron and good to go.

No need to put them in the washing machine, unless you are doing a load anyway. The ones I made for myself have wire to shape over the nose, so I just soak them in the sink with hot water and some laundry liquid. A quick rinse, and they can drip dry in the garden, or the bathroom. I wouldn’t wear one a second time without washing it first.

Yes there could be virus on the outside.

I hand wash and the steam iron mine. Mainly because the iron gets a lot hotter than the washing machine.

I rarely do hot washes so I'd have to make a special effort, wreck some clothes, to do so.

And no, ironing them takes minutes. It's far less faff than washing the bloody things.

what about microwaving them?

I plan to never wash our face covers. Maybe if they get smelly.
I profoundly don't care who that horrifies. Assume everyone is as minging as me &you want to stay at least 2m away at all times. Suits me fine.

If a pot of boiling water is good enough for your mooncups, then should be good enough for your masks!!

And unlike your cups you can add something like salt, detergent, tea tree or even a drop of disinfectant to your water.

I have one of those mini sinks between my main sink and draining board. I come in, fill it with very hot water and a drop of detergent and pop my mask straight in. When I'm next in the kitchen I give it a swish round, rinse it under the tap, and leave it to dry. And if I need to go out again I wear my spare one.

I've breathed tiny drops of saliva and snot onto it for an hour. Why on earth would I not wash it before wearing it again? Yuck.

I just wash mine when it gets smelly. That may be after 2 weeks, I only use it on public transport and that's only a few times a week. It's been fine, I chose a black one so it wouldn't show make up stains. I only wear mine to comply with the law, so I'm not too concerned about other issues.

Dont microwave them, they will go on fire.
Buy a few and rotate them.
Hand wash them.
They will stink if you do what you suggested.