Since May 11, wearing a mask has been recommended by health authorities. While some prefer to wear disposable masks, others have opted for a fabric mask. But how do you wash it when you don't have a washing machine or you don't necessarily have time to start washing clothes when you get home? The answers right here!
Recommended outside of his home and compulsory for certain professions and in public transport, the mask is fast becoming an essential accessory of our daily life. Today, French people can wear two types of masks: disposable masks and washable and reusable fabric masks. But how do you disinfect them properly when you don't have a washing machine at home or you don't necessarily have time to start washing clothes when you get home? Is boiling water effective in ridding it of any microbes? We try to answer all your questions.
Cloth masks: how to wash them well?
According to official recommendations, particularly those of the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR), a fabric mask must be machine washed with conventional detergent and without softener, at 60 degrees for at least 30 minutes. Drying must be carried out either via a dryer or in the open air, before ironing with steam at a temperature which does not damage the fabric. Please note, adding bleach in the machine is strongly discouraged! In addition to posing a risk of irritation to the skin and respiratory tract, this could also affect the filtration capacity of the mask.
Do I have to disinfect my washing machine before washing my mask?
This step is not compulsory but, according to AFNOR recommendations, it may be necessary if, during a previous cycle, you accidentally added a used mask with other clothes, during a wash with a temperature below 60 ° C. On the other hand, if you wash all your masks according to the recommendations of the health authorities (60 ° C for at least 30 minutes), you do not need to perform a vacuum washing beforehand.
Washing your mask without a washing machine: 6 methods screened
- The iron tip
If you do not have a washing machine or you do not want to throw a detergent for one or two masks, the infectiologist Benjamin Davido advised to BFMTV another technique, just as effective. According to the professional, it would be enough to pass an iron stroke on each side of the mask. The heat action of iron would kill the virus. This technique is already used in hospitals, especially for caregivers' coats. Some professionals nevertheless qualify the effectiveness of this method by asserting that ironing is not a measure which in itself is sufficient.
- Place your mask in boiling water
Placing your mask in boiling water for ten minutes is not a bad idea! At such a high temperature, the virus will necessarily be eradicated. Warning ! Ultimately, however, this technique can damage your mask. This can then lose its hold on the face and, potentially, in efficiency. In any case, at the slightest sign of wear, the mask should be discarded.
- Water vapor to kill the virus
For several days, the water vapor disinfection method has been circulating on the internet. This consists of boiling water in a saucepan and hanging the mask over it for 15 seconds. The steam would have the power to disinfect the mask but in reality, this technique is ineffective and counterproductive. "Water vapor does not wash, on the contrary it fixes residues on surfaces"Sylvie Raspaud, head of the pharmacy service at the Kremlin-Bicêtre hospital, assured AFP.
- Put your mask in the microwave
Since we know that the Covid-19 loses its infectious load after about an hour of exposure above 56 degrees, we might therefore think that putting your mask in the microwave may be a good idea to eradicate the virus. Unfortunately, it is not! At present, there is no scientific evidence to prove that this technique is effective. AFNOR also reminds us that it is not recommended to clean your mask with a microwave oven.
- Freeze your cloth mask
Contrary to popular belief, the cold does not kill the virus. Putting your cloth mask in the freezer will therefore not be effective in disinfecting it! Indeed, it has been proven that the Covid-19 withstands the cold and that freezing even allows it to be kept longer. So we forget at all costs this method and we prefer machine washing and / or disposable masks if you do not have a washing machine at home.
- Leave your mask on for 72 hours
Is putting your mask in quarantine in an airtight bag effective? Many scientific studies show that the viral load of the virus becomes ineffective on surfaces after 72 hours. But it obviously depends on the surface and it would seem that the virus is particularly tenacious on textiles. Questioned by LCI on this subject, the president of the French Society of hospital hygiene (SF2H) Bruno Grandbastien also affirmed that this method "is not very reliable".
See also: Coronavirus: where to buy washable cloth masks?