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

I just steam iron mine, and wash every week or so (I only run the washing machine once a week). The iron is far, far hotter than my washing machine can get anyway! I don't wear lipstick or foundation and they certainly aren't filthy dirty after a few wears.

And... comparing face masks to underwear is ridiculous - of course they aren't the same.

I was reading an article by a health professional the other day who says you should treat your mask like you do your underwear, as in wear it correctly, don’t go without and wash after every use.

I can’t see that many people are going to be ironing, microwaving or washing them above about once a week, many will be stuffed festering in pockets until trousers are washed

No masks are pretty!

And... comparing face masks to underwear is ridiculous - of course they aren't the same

Both are used to contain mucus membrane secretions, so quite similar. Unless of course you don't wipe your arse because the government has not mandated it.

Yuk.

A mask is breathed on up close and damp. Not quite knickers or a hanky but not like wearing a summer dress for a few evenings either. Especially as it will affect all the air you breathe in.

They are functional items, not fashion. Treat as such.

Wash after every use, obviously. Have a lot of them and launder them. Honestly, it's incredible that people aren't.

@TheLegendOfZelda

You can microwave them if you make them a bit wet first

I washed a couple yesterday then gave them a blast in the microwave afterwards for good measure.

I microwave wet dishcloths and washing up sponges for 2 minutes because it kills off any bacteria.

www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jan/26/uknews4.mainsection1

Damp is the word I was looking for! I was trying to avoid the m word (moi...)

@Changednamesorry

Wash after every use, obviously. Have a lot of them and launder them. Honestly, it's incredible that people aren't.

Seriously. I can't get over people wearing a piece of cotton covered in the secretions from their mouth and nose, repeatedly, without washing it in between. Especially because I'm not remotely a clean freak, so I expected everyone else to be more particular than me! But yuck, putting old secretions next to your mouth and nose, and breathing THROUGH THEM! When the bacteria in them have been happily multiplying since the last time you wore it! What's wrong with you all?

This is MN though where people wash towels daily...

In some hospitals in America health care workers were "rotating" their ffp3 masks; so wearing one all day, then leaving it in 'quarantine' for 72 hours. Not ideal but they didn't have enough to last, not sure if they are still doing it.

Anyway, I'd say it's best to wash them after each use, you'll be breathing out bacteria from your mouth while wearing them so they might get a bit funky smelling if you don't wash them regularly.

I've been wearing one on public transport about 2 or 3 times a week. It gets put in the wash every time I've used it. It takes up less space than a sock and is dry by the next day. I sometimes iron it as well (if I'm doing ironing)

I've been wearing the same disposable mask for a few weeks now, rolling around in my filthy handbag most of the time.

@Janaih
I've been wearing the same disposable mask for a few weeks now, rolling around in my filthy handbag most of the time.
Well you might as well not bother then.

I don’t get why people don’t get that it’s easy just to have a couple and rotate them in the wash, it’s not rocket science! Some people are just stupid.

I reuse them for short trips, but if I've worn it for hours I wash. I prefer scarves anyway, I have many mostly unused presents

@Janaih

You and most people I suspect, I've got them in multiple bags for "just in case" the problem with this discussion is some people here for work reasons are wearing them for many hours, some are commuting for long periods, others like me just popped into Lidl for a loaf of bread (only 2/3 people had them on btw, and noticeably whole families/couples didn't) and it will get used later when I pick up dp's prescription which wasn't ready.

Would you wipe your nose on the same tissue every day without changing it?
That’s what you are doing.

Gross! Wash your mask after every use! I had to go to the doctor yesterday as he wanted to check my throat. I wore a mask in to the surgery, took it off for him to check my throat and put a fresh one on. I have several at home and put them straight in the wash when I get home. It’s encouraging me to wash our clothes and towels more often to fill the machine.

Does everyone wash their pillow cases every day? They’re full of snot, dribble, hair dirt and night time excretions. Just asking.

@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

This reply really made me laugh

I understand op. I only need to put a wash on once a week so it’s not as easy as just chucking it in the wash.

I can’t help thinking that wearing dirty face masks might give me a skin infection. Fungal or bacterial. I’d rather rinse them out in very hot water with hand washing liquid and air dry them after use. I would hate to put my worn pants back on, even if it meant having a clean pair twice if I swim, and the sticky mucus moistness is surely similar.

I've got a selection so I can wear one a day and put it in the weekly wash. I don't hand wash anything so I'm not starting with masks!

I don’t know anyone who would wash a mask after wearing it 20-30 minutes to go to the supermarket once to be honest. But as I work from home and don’t go to the shops or anywhere too often, I use disposable ones.

I would also reuse a fabric one for such short periods of time (maybe twice or three times) and maybe hang the mask in the sun? I think the steam iron tip is a good one, that certainly reaches a temperature were germs are killed.