Tips for Face Mask Wear + Care

Tips for Face Mask Wear + Care

Many of us are wearing face masks when we go into shops, restaurants, or on public transit. Wearing a face mask in public is one of the best ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 — but not everyone understands how masks can help, or why they matter.
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Many of us are wearing  face masks when we go into shops, restaurants, or on public transit. Wearing a face mask in public is one of the best ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 — but not everyone understands how masks can help, or why they matter.

Did you know the biggest benefit of wearing a face mask isn’t for you? It’s for everyone  around you.

Studies show coughing, sneezing, and even speaking releases thousands of microdroplets of moisture into the air; larger droplets quickly settle on surfaces, but smaller droplets remain in the air for 3 hours or more. The virus can linger in the air for several hours and still infect people if breathed in, and in indoor environments, the virus seems to be particularly prone to spreading through the air.

Wearing a breathable cotton face mask helps you keep most of your germs to yourself. If everyone wore a mask while in public, the collective effect could help keep more of us from being infected by the virus, primarily by preventing the majority of our own germs from reaching others.

Now that you know why wearing a mask matters, let’s talk about how to care for your mask.

 

Care instructions for Kerusso 2-Ply 100% Cotton Face Masks:

  • Wash before wearing.

  • Wash to sanitize after wearing.

  • Dry completely in dryer for form fit after each use.

  • Individuals should be careful not to touch eyes, nose, and mouth when removing face mask and wash hands immediately after removing.

 

Tips for Sanitizing Your Mask In Between Uses

  • Consider purchasing 2 masks for each adult in your household: one to wash, and one to wear.

  • If you use an HE (High Efficiency) washing machine, use the Sanitize cycle when washing face masks; for non-HE machines, use the hottest temperature setting available.

  • Add a laundry-sanitizer (liquid bleach is one example) to the wash cycle for additional disinfecting boost. Follow product instructions carefully, and consider testing for colorfastness on an inconspicuous area of potentially sensitive garments.

*BONUS TIP: Bleach is best in a cold water wash cycle; hot water breaks down the effective ingredient in bleach and renders it ineffective.

 

Keep Glasses from Fogging Up While Wearing a Mask

  • Choose a mask that fits snugly and is made of breathable fabric. A snug fit offers the best protection, and can help prevent foggy lenses.

  • Add a pipe cleaner to your mask to create a fitted band at the top.

  • Use athletic or medical tape (or even a bandaid) across the top of your mask; medical students swear by this method for keeping goggles or glasses from fogging up.

  • Place a thin rectangle of folded tissue or paper towel inside your mask (across the bridge of your nose) to absorb moisture. You may want to consider taping this in place.

Wearing a breathable face mask is an easy way to show your community consideration in the midst of a difficult time, and to help keep all of us safer.

 

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