Covid-19: Tips on keeping your mask clean

With the coronavirus pandemic, came the restrictions and rules to live by, literally. Nowadays, one can’t just go out and roam around freely. It’s not like everyone is in a cage but it has become extremely important to follow the rules in order to ensure own safety and of those around us. Governments around the world have been trying to curb the spread of the virus by taking measures such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and maintaining hand hygiene.

According to the Center for disease control and prevention (CDC), washing hands with a bar soap and water for 20 seconds kills the virus, if present on our hands. This method of washing hands is deemed as the best option available in this fight against COVID-19.

Be the smart one

There are many people out there who don’t like the idea of imposing restrictions and are of the view that human beings shouldn’t be asked to social distance or wear masks. However, this is just a stupid idea which can lead to the deaths of many. People, who are sane, both in mind and actions know how important is to wear masks or a face covering, when out in public.

Know your masks

There are different fabrics out of which masks can be produced but the problem here is, reusing those masks. Once you are out with your mask on, you are potentially exposed to sorts of germs and viruses and when you come back home you are bringing the germs back home. In order to make sure that your mask is clean for use next time, try using a Dettol antibacterial laundry cleanser to clean it. Solutions that are known to kill bacteria and other germs should be used while washing masks. Also try to wash these masks alone and not with other laundry. Doing so can lead to cross infection and those germs can get onto other cloths of yours.

Things to look out for

If you have a bulk of masks, and you choose to do all of them at once then you should just add a bit of laundry sanitizer to your washing cycle and you are good to. Check what fabric is your mask made up of and then wash it accordingly. If the material is suitable for a warm wash then choose warm water and if not then follow the instructions. Another thing to do when you come home is to leave your mask at a specific place as outside as possible. Ensure that the hanging place doesn’t get any water, in the case of rain or any other event. For those of you who are using surgical masks, please don’t reuse them because these masks, first of all, are meant for health care providers and secondly these can’t be reused. Another thing is to make sure that you are properly disposing off your used masks once you are done with it, so as to stop others from getting possibly infected.