How should I clean and store my face mask?

By: How Should I Clean And Store My Face Mask?, The Associated Press Posted: Last Modified:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

How should I clean and store my face mask?

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/05/2020 (2311 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

How should I clean and store my face mask?

Cloth face masks worn during the coronavirus pandemic should be washed regularly, according to the U.S. 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.

Illustration by Peter Hamlin.;
Illustration by Peter Hamlin.;

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.

___

The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org.

Related Articles

Masks problematic for asthmatic, autistic, deaf and hard of hearing
A discarded face mask is shown on a street next to a mobile COVID-19 testing clinic in Montreal, Sunday, May 17, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

More Stories

Letters, Sept. 16

7 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2026

Say what you’ll do

I must say that I agree with what Laura Reimer wrote (What do we elect a school trustee to do?, Think Tank, Sept. 12).

I would add, though, that school trustees and school board candidates also have a responsibility to clearly state where they stand on issues in order for people to come out and vote in school board elections.

Simply putting out very generic campaign material (“I’ll work hard on your behalf”; “I live in the area”; “education is important”; and so on …) is insufficient to generate interest or to motivate taxpayers/voters to go out and support candidate X.

Building Northern Manitoba right

Morris Beardy 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

I had the pleasure of attending the recent celebrations welcoming grain shipments back to the Port of Churchill, alongside business leaders, port workers, community members and government partners. We find ourselves at an important and pivotal moment and there is a lot of optimism about Northern Manitoba.

Whether it’s the Port of Churchill Plus, all-weather roads and trade corridors, new mines and exploration, a transmission line to Nunavut or billions going into modernizing our hydro-electric systems, one thing is clear: Northern Manitoba needs to be prepared for a potential boom in development.

Now more than ever, Canada and Manitoba have to get this right.

Prime Minister Carney and Canada’s premiers have met with some of the world’s largest investors to discuss nation-building projects that will shape our country’s future.

China's Eileen Gu competes during the women's slopestyle finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Emotional Valieva takes lead in Olympic figure skating

Bernie Wilson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Emotional Valieva takes lead in Olympic figure skating

Bernie Wilson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022

The class-action was spearheaded by a Vancouver resident who alleged the company had hidden service fees that were only charged upon payment. Here’s how to make a claim

Read
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022
The town of Morris closed its dikes because of Red River flooding south of Winnipeg. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)

Some relief for tired Manitoba flood fighters

Kevin Rollason 4 minute read Preview

Some relief for tired Manitoba flood fighters

Kevin Rollason 4 minute read Friday, May. 20, 2022

In a sign the tide is changing, floodwater from the swollen Morris and Red rivers has dropped enough to expose the railings of the bridge on Highway 75 into the town of Morris.

Ralph Groening, reeve of the RM of Morris, said water levels are beginning to subside following the crest of the Red a few days ago.

“It’s dropping a couple of inches a day,” Groening said on Friday. “The bridge railings are just starting to show.”

As many as 170 residents remain evacuated from their homes and municipality workers have started cleaning up.

Read
Friday, May. 20, 2022
Gary Bergman clears a loose puck with Boris Mikhailov and Valery Kharlamov in close pursuit as Brad Park falls on top of goaltender Tony Esposito during Game Three of the Summit Series in Winnipeg on Sept. 6, 1972. (Hockey Hall of Fame)

CBC series digs into Cold War hockey showdown

Alan Small 8 minute read Preview

CBC series digs into Cold War hockey showdown

Alan Small 8 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 6, 2022

Fifty years ago today, Winnipeg played a part in one of Canada’s greatest cultural touchstones.

Read
Tuesday, Sep. 6, 2022
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Manitoba Hydro crews work to repair several hydro poles that snapped or fell down after a severe storm tore through River Heights on Sept. 6.

We used to love a good thunderstorm

Jessica Scott-Reid 5 minute read Preview

We used to love a good thunderstorm

Jessica Scott-Reid 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

Growing up on the prairies, even as a city girl, summertime thunderstorms were always cause for excitement. That first rumble signalled it was time to go search for the sleeping bags.

We’d cuddle under them on the front step, under the awning, as we watched the rain pour. And we’d stay out there until we were soaked.

If the lightning wasn’t bad enough for our parents to call us in, we neighbourhood kids would then throw on our bathing suits and go play in the warm puddles. It was some of the best stuff of summer.

As a mom now, with a little girl of my own, I was excited to watch her growing up loving Winnipeg thunderstorms, too.

Read
2:00 AM CDT