Face masks are an important step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, especially when paired with social distancing in public settings. In order to best protect yourself, you should wash your reusable cloth mask after each use.

How to Wash your Mask:

Washing Machine:

• You can toss your mask in with your regular load of laundry.
• Use your normal laundry detergent and the warmest water setting available.

Hand Washing:

• You can hand wash your masks my preparing a bleach solution:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water OR
  • 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water
• Make sure that your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those for safe use on colored clothing, may not work as a disinfectant.
• Soak your mask in the bleach solution for five minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with water.
  

How to Dry Your Mask:

Machine Dryer:

• Use the highest heat setting on your dryer and leave your mask in the machine until it is completely dry.

Air Dry:

• Lay your mask flat and allow it to dry in direct sunlight, if possible.

You must ensure your mask is completely dry before wearing or storing as damp linen can be the perfect environment for mold to grow.

The information in this blog post is accurate at the time of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change, it's possible that information has changed since being published. While Ochsner Health is trying to keep our blog posts as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations by using the CDC website.