Wearing cloth face coverings has become incredibly important. Protecting each other has become a way of life as we face a year of further disruption. For if we do not break the chain ourselves, then who will? We are turning our attention to face covering protocol. We begin with advice on washing cloth face coverings.
CDC Advice on Washing Cloth Face Coverings
Centers for Disease Control CDC reminds us of the importance of washing face coverings after every use. We should also wash our hands carefully before and after touching them. This is more than a COVID-19 counter-measure. It is a matter of personal hygiene because cloth coverings are so close to us.
We can wash our cloth face coverings with our regular laundry, because detergent and water should destroy the virus. CDC advice on washing cloth face coverings includes the possibility of using the warmest water setting appropriate for the particular cloth. We may also wash by hand in a bleach solution.
Hand Washing and Drying Cloth Face Masks
Check the label on your bleach to ensure it has disinfection properties. This is important because bleaches for safe use on colored material may not have the capability. Do not use it past its expiry date, or mix it with ammonia or any other cleanser.
First add four teaspoons of bleach to a quart of room temperature water. Then, soak the cloth face cover in the solution for five minutes. Rinse it thoroughly in cool or room-temperature water. It’s essential to dry it completely before using it again.
CDC’s advice on washing cloth face coverings closes with two suggestions to dry the cloth mask thoroughly, before re-use. We can use the highest heating in the dryer and leave it there until the moisture is completely gone. Or we can dry it in direct sunlight if we have a cheerful bright day.
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Preview Image: Fresh Cloth Face Coverings
