The proper care and maintenance of cloth face masks

Cloth face masks help slow the spread of COVID-19 when used by everyone within our communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that there is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Given the protection that face masks can provide, it is important to treat them appropriately.

According to the CDC, masks should be washed daily with your regular laundry:

• Take off your mask carefully. Handle only the ear loops or ties to remove the mask from your face. Fold the outside corners together and place it in the washing machine. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Wash your hands immediately after you remove the mask.
• Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
• Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry.