How do you clean homemade face masks? How often? Here’s what you need to know

A dirty face mask doesn’t protect anyone from coronavirus or anything else, so how do you keep homemade cloth masks ready to use? Here’s what you need to know.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reversed its earlier position on face masks to now recommend that people wear homemade ones in public, McClatchy News previously reported.

While cloth surgical masks provide little protection against viruses, they can help prevent people who already have coronavirus, perhaps without knowing it, from spreading the virus to others.

The CDC advises that people use homemade cloth coverings so the supply of disposable surgical masks and N95 respirator masks, which provide greater protection against viruses, goes to hospitals and medical professionals.

Here are some tips on keeping face masks clean.

Can I reuse disposable masks?

As noted earlier, the CDC asks that people stop buying disposable masks so the supply can be reserved for hospitals and medical workers who urgently need them.

Some companies, such as Amazon, have banned consumer purchases of surgical masks and N95 respirator masks, McClatchy News previously reported.

But perhaps you have some on hand from before the coronavirus outbreak or bought some when coronavirus first hit the United States. Can you stretch the supply by reusing them?

While some hospitals have been forced to reuse disposable one-time masks out of desperation, experts say it’s not a good idea, Business Insider reports.

There’s not any proven way to disinfect one-time surgical masks, the CDC says.

“The goal is not to reuse masks,” said Lucy Wilson, chair of the department of emergency health services at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, The Huffington Post reports.

“It’s really a stopgap measure for the mask shortage that we’re having, but it’s not the best practice,” Wilson said. “The best practice would be single use.”

The World Health Organization advises removing and replacing a disposable mask as soon as it becomes damp, and not reusing disposable masks.

How often should I clean cloth face coverings?

Wash homemade cloth face masks or coverings after each use, advises infectious disease specialist Dr. Daniel Griffin at Columbia University, NPR reports.

“You don’t take this dirty mask off, put it in your purse and then stick it back on your face,” Griffin said, according to the network.

“It’s something that once you put on, is potentially either touching your coughs, sneezes or the spray of your speech, or protecting you from the coughs, spray, speech of other people,” he said, NPR reported. “And now it’s dirty. It needs to basically be either discarded or washed.”

What’s the best way to clean cloth masks?

The CDC says a regular washing machine should do the job. Business Insider suggests drying the load on high heat to be sure you kill any viruses.

There are other methods, including putting non-flammable masks in a 158-degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes or suspending them over a pot of boiling water to kill the virus, The Huffington Post reports, but you’re probably better off just washing them.

Do I need to use bleach to disinfect face coverings?

You don’t need to use bleach if you’re using a washing machine, but you may want a mesh bag to protect the face masks from extra wear, Metro.Style suggests.

Alternatively, you could disinfect masks for an hour in a bowl with one part bleach in three to four parts water, then rinse them and hang them in sunlight to dry, the publication adds.

When should I stop using a cloth mask?

“Visible dirt or damage to it — that’s a good time to throw it away,” said Hilary Lin, an internal medicine physician at PlushCare, The Huffington Post reports.

Inspect masks before each use for holes or tears, advises Healthline. If the mask is damaged, throw it away.

How do I properly dispose of worn or damaged face coverings?

Dispose of dirty or worn masks immediately in a closed trash bin, WHO advises. Then wash your hands with soap and water.

This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM with the headline "How do you clean homemade face masks? How often? Here’s what you need to know."