July 20, 2020

How to Safely Wear And Wash A Face Mask Covering

How to Safely Wear And Wash A Face Mask Covering

 

Face mask coverings are a great extra measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 by providing an additional physical barrier. Here are few simple guidelines to properly use your face mask to keep you and other safe.

Putting On A Face Covering

  • Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol
  • Ensure the mask is covering your mouth nose and chin
    • Face Mask With Ear Loops: Hold the mask by the ear loops and place the loops over your ears
    • Face Mask With Ties: hold the mask to nose level, place the ties over the crown of your head and secure with a bow.
  • The mask should fit snugly against your skin and completely cover your mouth, nose and chin.

Wearing A Face Mask

    • Avoid touching the mask or your face when wearing
    • Don’t put the face covering around your neck or up on your forehead
    • Don’t remove the face mask until your return home
    • If you need to remove your face mask, replace with a clean one.

Removing A Face Mask

  • Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser
    • Face Mask With Ear loops: Without touching your face of the front of the mask, carefully grab the ear loops and remove the mask
    • Face Mask With Ties: Without touching the front of the mask, untie the bottom bow first then the top bow and remove
  • Immediately put the mask in a wash bag or place it into a zip lock bag to be taken home for washing
  • Clean your hands with soap and water

Washing A Face Mask

  • Masks should be washed after every use or wear.
  • Machine Wash: Inside a wash bag, wash your masks with a gentle cycle with a mild detergent at 30 degrees Celsius
  • Hand Wash: submerge the mask in warm to hot water then lather with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds and rinse with hot water
  • Can be tumble dried on a high heat or air dried in direct sunlight