A tip on handling a facial mask for reuse from a paramedic...

[zonkers]

Last edited Tue Apr 21, 2020, 07:43 PM - Edit history (1)

When you return home.....

a. Take it off carefully so you don't spread any weird virus-ee stuff.
b. Place it in a paper bag. That way it will dry out. The paper bag will breath. Doing so also protects mask from further contamination.


DO NOT place it in a plastic bag. That will retain moisture.

ON EDIT... wash your hands before you go and handle the mask again.

Stay safe DU friends.

[Tribetime]

1. Just curious do you know if you can disinfect it with rubbing alcohol

[zonkers]

5. I do not know. I will ask my friend (wife of a fireman)

[sl8]

6. Info on washing with soap & water or alcohol:

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/washing-masks-effective-virus/
Is Washing Masks Effective After Virus Exposure?

[Tribetime]

7. Thank you very much that's some great information

[58Sunliner]

9. N95 should not be treated with alcohol. It impairs the static charge of the fabric.

See below about heat.

[Tribetime]

10. Excellent thank you👍

[58Sunliner]

11. You are welcome. Safe travels.

[dem4decades]

2. I put mine in the sun on the dashboard of my car. Hope that works.

Only use it once a week, if that.

[tavernier]

14. Me too.

My car sits in the sun in the tropics and it’s been in the high 80’s all week, meaning about double that inside the car.

[Cha]

3. I wonder if you can then use the paper bag

again?

What do you mean "the paper bag will breathe."?

Thank you for this.. I've been taking mine off and hanging in on a knob of my inversion table.

[zonkers]

4. I mean that the bag is porous. So the saliva and any other moisture will dry out...

as opposed to sealing it in a plastic bag where the moisture can't escape.

You are very welcome. Wife of a fireman shared this with me. I think there are a lot of little tips and workarounds that would be helpful to integrate into our routine.

The new normal. I am going to add another thing to my orig. post: Wash hands before handling mask

[Cha]

13. Mahalo! I just got home from the bank and my local

health store.. I told my friend behind the counter about your tip and asked if I could buy some small paper bags.. she said just take some bc you spend so much money here and you never take the bags.

When I get home I wash my gloves.. they're great bc you can take them off easily and they're thick enough so they can be washed and used again.. I put them on a towel under the ceiling fan and then take my mask off gently and now put it in one of my small paper bags!

So Thank you again! :

[zonkers]

15. Makes me happy to be helpful.

[58Sunliner]

8. You can sterilize it by sticking the bag and mask on a dryer shelf.

158 degrees F for 30 minutes, 197 F for 15 minutes. My duet on a high cycle is what I use.

[Polybius]

12. I would imagine the worst thing anyone can do is accidentally put it on backwards

You would be breathing any possible germs in.