How should you clean and store your face mask?

[ad_1]

Public health experts recommend wearing a mask made from cotton fabric, such as T-shirts, or scarves and bandannas.

(AP Illustration by Peter Hamlin)

Cloth face masks worn during the coronavirus pandemic should be washed regularly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health experts recommend wearing a mask made from cotton fabric, such as T-shirts, or scarves and bandannas, when you are outside and unable to maintain social distancing from others.

The covering should be washed daily after use, says Penni Watts, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Nursing.

It is best to clean your mask in a washing machine or with soap and hot water. The mask should be dried completely. Dry it in a hot dryer, if possible.
Watts advises storing the clean, dry mask in a new paper bag to keep it safe from germs.

The CDC has urged people to use washable cloth coverings to ensure there are enough surgical and N95 masks for medical workers.

Also Read | Global coronavirus cases surpass 5 million, infections rising in South America
Also Read | Coronavirus: India’s case tally crosses 1.12 lakh with 11,220 new cases in 48 hours
Also Watch | Leading author-surgeon Dr Atul Gawande explains rules of living in post-lockdown world

IndiaToday.in has plenty of useful resources that can help you better understand the coronavirus pandemic and protect yourself. Read our comprehensive guide (with information on how the virus spreads, precautions and symptoms), watch an expert debunk myths, and access our dedicated coronavirus page.
Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from

  • Andriod App
  • IOS App

[ad_2]

Source link