How to Sanitise Masks after every use?

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, health experts have been suggesting people wear face masks before stepping out of their homes. While some don’t follow the advice, thankfully those who understand the gravity of the situation never fail to do so. Various big and small brands also introduced fashionable facemasks in the market to motivate people to wear them while flaunting a stylish look. However, merely wearing a mask isn’t enough, you must ensure that it is absolutely clean. The reason so much stress is being put on wearing face masks is that along with maintaining social distance, it helps in containing the spread of the coronavirus. A mask acts as a barrier that stops the virus from reaching a healthy person, but the whole exercise becomes pointless if one wears contaminated face masks.

1. How many face masks does one need?

Well, there is no definite answer to what kind of masks and how many masks we should be wearing. While one health agency says a three-layer mask is the best, another believes even two-layer ones are effective. It’s best to wear a good quality mask, be it homemade or bought from the market, but make sure it is clean. So, it would be ideal to have at least two masks as it would give you the time to properly wash the other one and dry it. Also, keep an eye on what health agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), etc. are advising.

2. What are the best ways to take off the mask?

• Before removing the mask, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser.
• Avoid touching the front of the mask as this exposed part could be contaminated.
• Take off the mask only by the ear loops/ties/band, depending on what kind of mask you are using.
• If the mask is disposable, discard it immediately in a closed bin. Clean your hands with soap or hand sanitiser.

• If it is a reusable one, wash it as soon as possible and wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitiser after handling it.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing.

3. How to clean a face mask? Can we reuse the face mask?

If the masks are reusable, it is recommended they are cleaned thoroughly after every use to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Cotton masks can be washed in the washing machine with regular laundry and detergent along with bleach. Set the water to warm or hot.

• Wash your hands immediately after throwing it in the machine.

• If you are cleaning the mask with hands, use hot, soapy water. Scrub the mask for at least 20 seconds, and dry them in sunlight.
• You can also soak it in a bleach solution for 5 minutes. Wash the mask thoroughly and dry it.

• How to prepare a bleach solution: Mix 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per quart of room temperature water.

• Whatever method is used to clean, make sure to dry the mask completely.

• Disposable masks should not be washed and thrown after using it for a few hours.

Conclusion

Since we are using masks to shield ourselves from the virus, it is important that we ensure that the masks that we use are clean and sanitary. Wash the reusable masks and throw disposable ones after use. For added protection, take the best health insurance policythat covers COVID-19 treatment so that you can fully concentrate on recovery.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.