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In a recent press release, the Academy of Medicine returned to the washing of fabric masks and therefore reusable.
This Monday, September 7, the Academy of Medicine published a new press release about the maintenance of reusable masks. How to wash them? How long can they be kept without washing? These new recommendations are crucial in fighting the coronavirus. The Academy of Medicine has above all returned to the situation of the pandemic. According to her, it is now essential to use a mask on a daily basis: "The current epidemiological indicators predicting a prolonged epidemic situation, it becomes necessary to integrate the wearing of the mask in the daily actions by making it understandable, acceptable and routine", can we read.
How to wash a cloth mask?
These masks can be washable in two ways: by hand or machine. If previously, we thought that washing them at 60 ° was essential, the Academy of Medicine affirms that it is not more effective to do it in this way: "They can be hand washed or machine washed, with a detergent, such as underwear, the temperature of 60 ° C is no more appropriate for washing masks than for washing hands." In addition, after each washing and drying, a mask can be reused. The only conditions are to ensure that the mesh and the flanges are not damaged. As a reminder, the majority of fabric masks are reusable after a maximum of 50 washes: "They can be reused after each washing-drying cycle as long as their qualities (mesh of the fabric and integrity of the flanges) are not altered", explains the press release published on the website of the Academy of Medicine.
How long should I keep reusable masks until the next wash?
According to the Academy of Medicine, it is important to change your mask when the one you wear becomes wet, like those that are disposable. In addition, it is not recommended to wear them for more than one day: "They should be changed when they get wet and never worn for more than a day." The press release also reiterates that they must be implemented on a daily basis for the safety of all and therefore recommends that "the obligation to wear a mask, systematically associated with distancing measures, be introduced in all public places, closed and open, according to rules that are easy to understand, apply and control" then advocating the dissemination of clear and simple information on the gestures to be applied around the wearing of the mask.
Should we favor disposable or reusable masks?
The Academy of Medicine agrees with the High Council of Public Health to insist on the usefulness of reusable masks on a daily basis and evokes "economic and ecological reasons." Surgical masks, on the other hand, are recommended for care or when in contact with vulnerable people.
However, the press release recognizes that reusable masks are likely to provide less protection, which is why it is better to ban them in contact with vulnerable people: "While alternative masks perform slightly less than surgical masks in terms of filtration and sealing, they generally offer better qualities of comfort and breathability."