We have been getting a lot of questions and posts about cleaning cloth masks, in part because there is SO much confusing information out there.
1.) If donating masks, even to friends or family, THEY should ALWAYS wash them before using them, and wash their hands after putting them in the wash. Always assume it could have been exposed.
2.) HOW to wash my own non-medical mask?
According to the CDC, washing clothes (this would include cloth mask) with detergent and according to manufacturer instructions is sufficient. You should use the warmest (aka HOT) possible water settings wherever possible. You may be wondering if you should be using stronger cleaners, like bleach, or if you should be using the sanitizing cycle. Those things certainly won’t hurt, but according to the CDC they’re not necessary. As the CDC says, detergent and water alone are very effective against the virus.
You should be washing masks daily if worn daily.
If you can’t machine wash, no need to boil/steam. Hand wash with laundry detergent in hot water and scrub vigorously for at least 20 seconds and rinse well, then hang dry in the sun if you can’t put in a dryer.
The CDC’s website, scroll down to see the section on laundry.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fcleaning-disinfection.html
This video matches up with what the CDC says about soap, and what PhD’s say about the science of why soap works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKVUarhtvE
Also another article about cleaning that also talks about why soap and warm water is your best bet! https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-clean-fabric-coronavirus-face-mask_l_5e8f6e5dc5b6458ae2a5cab1