Here is the Right (and Wrong) Way to Clean Your Face Mask

Let’s say you just got back from the grocery store wearing your mask. Now what?

1. Treat your mask like a bio-hazard. Isolate it from the rest of your family. You don’t want to leave it on the kitchen counter or the coffee table where other people could be handling it. Place it in a zip lock bag or directly into the laundry.

2. Act as if the virus is on both sides of the fabric. Wash your hands properly with soap every time you remove or even touch the mask.

Some people have tried microwaving their masks. Don’t do this! It could melt the mask or even start it on fire. That means don’t put it in the oven either—no baking, toasting, or steaming.

3.The best way to clean your homemade fabric face mask is the easiest – run it through the washing machine and dryer after each use.

You can even include your face covering with your regular laundry.
Use regular laundry detergent and dry on the highest heat setting.

If you made it yourself and there’s a paper filter, like a coffee filter, inside, that needs to be removed before washing.
If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you can hand-wash using soap.

Another option: Put the mask into a paper bag and leave it in a warm place (like directly sunlight) for at least two days.