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 soak mine in a tub of Milton when home and then put on radiator to dry. So maybe that would work for you if you don’t want them doing a full wash cycle.

Pop in a small ceramic bowl of just off the boil water when you return from somewhere, leave for 20 minutes. Squeeze in a clean towel like hair after washing, if you wish. Hang to dry off sufficiently so you can steam iron. At the moment the drying phase is really quick if a warm day.

I’m using the same disposable mask repeatedly. It’s on for 5-10 minutes, every 3 days or so (we get most of our shopping online), and the point, as I understand it is to for it to catch my own potential COVID germs. It’s not like I’m sharing it with others. I find it much lighter and more comfortable than the fabric one I was given. People saying ‘yuck, it’s like underwear or bedding’, well I don’t change those after 10 minutes’ use. I can’t really see how I’m increasing my risk of catching it since a. the germs are my own and b. they’ve probably died in the past few days anyway.

@Buggedandconfused

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

No I don't but after reading your post and another similar one earlier in the thread I shall be washing my pillow case a lot more frequently now

Let's be honest, most people are wearing them because they have to not because they care about the extremely small chance of catching the virus. Clearly evidenced by how few masks were out yesterday compared to today now it's a requirement.

So yea, I'm with you OP. If you pop the mask on for a very short time to pop into a shop I'd happily take it off and then reuse it again later or the next day.

They won't look pretty when they're grubby and full of dead skin cells and breathe sweat!

DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE MICROWAVE.

Bloody hell, some people on here are daft.

You can only safely microwave 100% natural fabrics such as cotton but if your mask contains any polycotton fabric or it was sewn with polyester thread, it must not go in the microwave.

It’s a fire hazard.

Even when wet @RandyLionandDirtyDog?

I’m in Italy where masks have been necessary for months.
I have a variety.
Some home made (double layer of strong white cotton in a concertina triple fold, elastic loops and with a slit for a plastic coated wire tie) which we wore, bleach washed and steam ironed EVERY time anyone left the house. This was at the height of lockdown when only necessary trips were allowed and there were no disposable masks In the shops.

6 reusable cotton jersey masks, in what I call knicker cotton, distributed by the Protezione Civile. Advice was to bleach wash and iron to dry (!). These are good for children as they’re stretchy and have soft loops.

Disposable (50 cents each) paper masks. These are now freely available in shops. Worn on and off for 24 hours when necessary then binned.

I still use my home made ones if I’m in a reliable place, like in the car and need to get petrol which is 90% likely to be social distanced.

DH was given an extra “nh26” (not sure, but one with a filter) mask, along with a ziplock bag at work. He was told to use it as e courtesy precaution when escorting visitors around the factory. After 7 hours of use it will be replaced. Otherwise he gets a 50cent one every day for moving between offices. Not necessary if in his own socially distanced office.

A few interesting facts about living in mask-wearing times.

People go for walks with their masks hooked (both loops) on their elbows, ready for use.
Drivers hang theirs off the rearview mirror, as sunlight is known to kill germs.
Car parks are littered with them, unfortunately. And nobody wants to pick them up.
It’s courtesy to approach a stranger, even outdoors, with your mask on AND at a correct distance. You then wait for them to lower if they feel comfortable doing so. You never know if someone is extra vulnerable.

Museums are full mask areas. And outdoor markets or busy streets have become so.

Italian kisses and hugs have been replaced by waving, elbow taps and foot bumps! Smiling with your eyes is also appreciated.

Strange how fast you learn new ways of interaction...

I had no idea they were supposed to be washed after every use!

Hell no, I'm not bothering to wash mine. I'm soaking them in a jar of gin, then hanging to dry out a bit before wearing. Smells divine when I'm wearing it.

@Ginfordinner

The microwave will heat the water in the mask initially (it will evaporate into steam) but then it heats the fabric mask and there’s a risk of the fabric igniting.

Microwave ovens are designed to heat up food so if it caught fire from a mask, would your Insurance cover you?

I had a serious kitchen fire some years ago caused by a faulty oven (not a microwave) so I’m extremely careful these days and keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in the kitchen too. Honestly, it makes you a lot more cautious about these things when you’ve experienced something quite traumatic.