A Step-by-step Guide on How to Clean Your Face Mask Properly

You're going to need to clean your reusable face mask properly before each subsequent use. Note that you should never use one of these masks multiple times after a single cleaning. Unfortunately, many people have no idea how to go through this process. If you are concerned about learning how to clean your face mask, you're in the right place.

Thankfully, it doesn't take a lot of effort to learn how to care for a face mask properly. Once you get it right the first time, you rinse and repeat, and you're good to go. Note that proper mask use improves the protection potential from viral infections. Your health and wellness depend on it, so you should always remove your mask correctly, clean your hands well, and clean the mask as soon as possible.

You can clean your antiviral face mask using your washing machine or by hand. 

How to Clean Your Face Mask with a Washing Machine

As you'd expect, going the machine route is a lot easier and more convenient. The best part is you don't need to do anything differently than you would with the rest of your laundry. That's because of the comprehensive wash cycle design that washing machines are built with. However, you should ensure that you use the warmest water setting that the machine supports.

How to Clean Your Face Mask by Hand

Unless you have miniature washing machines for hands, it's going to take a lot more effort to wash a reusable protection mask this way. This should come as no surprise if you already use the hand washing method to wash your other clothes. When you do, you need to spend more time and put more focus into the washing process. If you don't, you're going to end up with improperly washed clothes.

1. Finding Your Bleach

The first order of business is the check the bleach you plan to use. Why is bleach necessary? Apart from the surfactant property of soap that carries dirt and debris away, you must adequately disinfect the mask before you can safely wear it again. Note that not every variation of bleach has disinfecting properties. Therefore, you need to look at the label and ensure the one you choose can get the job done. If your bleach is mild to be safe for your colored clothes, it likely isn't the best choice.

To further ensure that the bleach you are using is optimal, it should contain between 5.25% and 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. If you don't see a number within that range on the label, find another brand. Additionally, please don't use bleach that has passed its expiration date, and don't mix it with any cleansers. 

2. Create the Solution and Soak the Mask

Once your bleach is verified, it's time to prepare your solution. You need one-third cup of bleach per gallon of room temperature water. 

The next thing you need to do to clean your antiviral face mask is to soak the mask in the solution you created with the bleach and water. The soaking process should run for about five minutes.

3. Rinse Your Mask

Once your mask is finished soaking, remove it, and discard the solution down the drain. Use cool or room temperature water to rinse the mask. It's very important to dry the mask completely once you've washed it.

How to Dry Your Mask

If you are using a dryer, try to use the highest heat setting, and don't remove the mask until it is completely dry. Infectious viruses tend to be very weak to high temperatures, so heat is a very effective way of killing them. 

If you go the air-drying route instead, you need to ensure that the mask is completely flat. Once you can get access to sunlight, the drying mask should be placed directly under it.

Autonomous Mask and Other Products

Now that you have all the information you need about washing and drying your mask effectively, where do you get one, and what kind of masks are recommended? It just so happens that Autonomous manufactures a graphene antiviral face mask that works incredibly well. The hardy material keeps viral agents out, while the soft cotton interior is conducive to your continued comfort. 

Besides helping you in health, Autonomous can also help revolutionize your workspace with adjustable standing desks and office chairs. One of the best desks, for example, is the Autonomous SmartDesk 4. Not only does it help you to keep track of your activity, but it intuitively adjusts between seated and standing positions using the Pomodoro technique for maximum efficiency.

It would be best if you were safe when you go out and knowing how to clean your face mask can help you achieve that. However, being comfortable and maintaining proper posture while you work is another dimension of health you should not ignore.