Properly Sanitizing Face Masks

With kids heading back to school, going outside requires face masks! Today we at Kinder Buddies Oakville Daycare will discuss the best ways to safely wear a mask. That includes how to wear a mask safely as well how to properly sanitize your masks.

Properly wearing a Mask 101

• When putting on and taking off your mask make sure to only touch the straps. Touching the fabric part can transfer germs.
• When taking off your mask be careful where you rest it so that it doesn’t infect the are you’re in. (Keep off dinner tables)
• Try to put on and take off your mask with clean hands that have been washed or with hand sanitizer.
• Masks should cover the nose AND mouth to be properly effective! Noses should not be peaking out!
• Wear masks indoors and anywhere you cannot maintain a proper distance from others.
• If you wear your mask all day consider having 2 masks to switch during the day. If your mask is feeling mucky or moist consider switching.

Choosing a Face Mask

• Make sure the mask is tight to the face on all sides. Not restrictive, but no gaps to allow aerosols in.
• Masks should have at least two tightly woven layers
• Make sure you can breathe in the mask over time. Some masks with the seam in the middle may be easier to wear for longer periods of time.
• Choose masks that can be washed without losing form.
• If you want to hand washing with bleach make sure the mask is bleach safe.

Sanitizing your Face Masks

When buying your face masks make sure to have enough that you can keep clean. Consider two masks per day, per family member up to when you can wash.

If you wash once a week, you would need around 14 masks per person. If you can wash twice a week you only need around 7 per person.

Washing Machine

When buying your masks it’s easy to make sure they can go into the washing machine. Washing Machines can effectively wash masks at a high heat.

• Many woven masks can be thrown in with your regular laundry
• Wash with detergent at the warmest temperature possible
• Many woven masks can go in the dryer without losing shape
• You can hang the mask to dry and consider hanging to dry in the sun

Hand Wash (Bleach)

Hand washing is a great option especially if you can’t do the laundry multiple times in the week. Make sure if you are hand washing that your masks are bleach safe.

• Use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25% sodium hypochlorite and make sure it isn’t expired.
• Colour safe bleach may not be strong enough
• Add 1/3rd cup of bleach to 1 gallon of room temperature water. Using a designated mop bucket with the measurements directly on it works well.
• Soak your mask for 5 minutes
• Drain the bleach water and rinse the mask in room temperature water
• Make sure the mask is fully dry before wearing again

Use a Pressure Cooker

Another great unique way to sanitize your masks is to pop them in your pressure cooker! A pressure cooker can get to the appropriate temperature to kill any germs on your mask. Get the instructions at Taste of Home.

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Kinder Buddies Oakville Child Care is a Quality First Daycare and Infant Care facility in Oakville, Ontario. We take care of children from the age of 6 weeks to 5 1/2 providing nutritious meals and fun activities all day long.

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Staying Safe Outside while Social Distancing