Gennifer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,988 
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Post by Gennifer on Jun 30, 2020 15:52:12 GMT
I have seen that using the steam setting on an iron is sufficient to sanitize, but I’m wondering if I can just use the (steam) sanitize cycle on my dryer without it degrading the fabric. Does anyone know?
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Post by underwatermama on Jun 30, 2020 16:16:27 GMT
I would worry about the elastic in the dryer. I wash my masks in a delicates bag in the washer, regular cycle, then air dry and then iron (avoiding the elastic).
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nogfz
Full Member
Posts: 219
Aug 3, 2019 21:32:31 GMT
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Post by nogfz on Jun 30, 2020 16:18:05 GMT
DS sanitizes his masks by looping the elastic on the handles of a pot of simmering/boiling water. He works for a grocery store so he has 5 masks that he rotates and he steams them all once a week.
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Post by sam9 on Jun 30, 2020 16:25:15 GMT
I have seen that using the steam setting on an iron is sufficient to sanitize, but I’m wondering if I can just use the (steam) sanitize cycle on my dryer without it degrading the fabric. Does anyone know? Do you mean after washing it with soap or detergent? According to what I’ve read lately, water with soap is the most efficient way to sanitize masks. It’s just like hand washing. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 30, 2020 17:05:20 GMT
I thought it was decided that washing in hot water was enough? Otherwise we would need to boil our hands to get rid of the virus. It’s lipid based, so soap and water should be enough.
I wash my masks in the machine in 60 degree Celsius water and air dry. But I’m not a health care worker, I’m just going to the grocery store.
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Post by birdy on Jun 30, 2020 19:21:57 GMT
I run the tap in the utility tub until it is as hot as it gets, fill a little container with some water, add a squirt or 2 of laundry detergent and then fill with water. I let them soak for about 30 minutes, then rinse and hang to dry. Our dr said hot water and soap was sufficient.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jun 30, 2020 19:24:36 GMT
I just throw mine in the wash with the rest of the laundry and hang to dry. No problems. I have four or five I rotate through and wash at the end of the week.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 30, 2020 19:30:29 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. I just toss mine in the washing machine with everything else (I put them inside one of those mesh lingerie bags), then dry by draping them over the backs of chairs. lol. Or sometimes I just hang them over the railing on our front porch so they're in the sun. I might do that for a couple of days then toss them in the wash.
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Post by Katiepotatie on Jul 1, 2020 8:07:28 GMT
Mine have all gone in the washer and dryer after wearing one time. The elastics have held up fine.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,729
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jul 1, 2020 9:25:37 GMT
Temperatures aren't what kills the virus, it's soap, or alcohol. The surfactant in soap breaks down the oily outside of the virus so that it falls apart. That's why we have to wash our hands in soap for more than 20 seconds, so that the soap gets into all the little creases. It's no different with fabrics.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Jul 1, 2020 15:46:37 GMT
Soap and water.
Either hand wash in the sink or I toss them in the machine.
I use elastic to make dance wear and athletic wear. Those items go in the washing machine all.the.time. Elastic can degrade over time, but it's going to take much longer than a few washes. When I pulled out my dance wear from the 1980s, some of that elastic had degraded. Some was still OK!
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,400
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 1, 2020 15:50:43 GMT
I put mine in the washer and dryer. I wash in cold so hopefully does does the job! I also use either sanitizer or vinegar in there so maybe that helps? I also throw them in the dryer. I’ve made mine and the ones with elastic are just fine. Some of mine have removable elastic and I’ll just replace it if it gets gross.
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Post by sawwhet on Jul 1, 2020 15:53:27 GMT
Why do you need to sanitize it from the CO2 that you're breathing out? I throw mine in the wash and hang dry.
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