General Discussion

SheltieLover

(60,308 posts) Mon Apr 13, 2020, 01:44 PM Apr 2020

VERIFY: Sanitize your cloth masks in the washing machine, not the microwave [View all]

https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/verify/verify-sanitize-your-cloth-masks-in-the-washing-machine-not-the-microwave/522-3ec18c5f-0fdf-4e8a-8f15-455641663699

Social media posts claim you can sanitize your cloth masks in the microwave. But the CDC recommends you use the washing machine.

WHAT WE FOUND
A CDC spokesperson told VERIFY in an email, "The safe way to sterilize and clean a cloth face covering is in a washing machine."

A factsheet the CDC distributed on using cloth face masks goes into more detail. It once again says you should use a washing machine and talks about generally how often you should wash them.

It says they should be "routinely washed depending on the frequency of use." It doesn't delve into more detail than that.

68 replies

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VERIFY: Sanitize your cloth masks in the washing machine, not the microwave [View all] SheltieLover Apr 2020 OP

Wouldn't ironing it also kill any virus? Siwsan Apr 2020 #1

there is no soap in that treatment. Soap is required TeamPooka Apr 2020 #2

Ahhh. I thought heat, like an autoclave, would also kill the virus Siwsan Apr 2020 #3

The soap breaks down the protective fat layer surrounding the virus protein TeamPooka Apr 2020 #5

High Heat Destroys It Anyway ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #37

But food is made safe by the heat of cooking eleny Apr 2020 #26

This virus is digested in the stomach after eating it. uppityperson Apr 2020 #29

I'd put that in the "cold comfort" file eleny Apr 2020 #31

This virus can not survive the digestive process. At least it hasn't been found to so far uppityperson Apr 2020 #33

"Don't inhale your food, swallow it" eleny Apr 2020 #34

You need soap and water. xmas74 Apr 2020 #4

Then I could hand wash the mask, too, in hot soapy water. Siwsan Apr 2020 #7

yes hand wash, maybe put em in a pan with soapy water and boil a minute or two nt msongs Apr 2020 #25

That's what I do. Soap it up well with warm water and lots of bubbles, wash and scrub it by hand, Nay Apr 2020 #30

Me, too eleny Apr 2020 #32

What is the best method of Disaffected Apr 2020 #6

Sorry, not sure SheltieLover Apr 2020 #8

As will I. Disaffected Apr 2020 #11

TY! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #13

UV-C light is one way hardluck Apr 2020 #20

I've been using a UV wand....should work. Sancho Apr 2020 #60

Here you go hardluck Apr 2020 #19

Thanks for that. Disaffected Apr 2020 #21

Any virus in the oven would die and you could always turn it up to a higher setting to be sure hardluck Apr 2020 #24

Or take the mask out and then turn the empty oven up another 30 degrees? dawg day Apr 2020 #51

N95s are not meant to be reused, so use caution. KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #28

TY, KY! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #62

Soap and water works. I think many people believe it's too good to be true. KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #9

Could be SheltieLover Apr 2020 #12

Now that I've studied this a bit..... KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #36

7.5 Seconds At The Boiling Point of Water ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #38

Yes, it depends on what materials the elastic is made from, although... KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #40

I'd Have To Search ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #45

Thanks, Professor. That's good news because.... KY_EnviroGuy Apr 2020 #50

Thank you, Professor! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #65

And if your mask has a metal nose piece (all the ones I make do) catrose Apr 2020 #10

Yes, good point! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #14

Depends on the shape of the metal. Disaffected Apr 2020 #16

TY! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #17

There's a photo circulating the internet of a homemade (I think) pleated mask catrose Apr 2020 #41

The trick is not to leave it Disaffected Apr 2020 #42

Or potatoes. Microwaves have their uses, but... catrose Apr 2020 #43

Potatoes? Disaffected Apr 2020 #44

I wonder if using one of those clothing steamers works? kimbutgar Apr 2020 #15

Not sure SheltieLover Apr 2020 #18

You can steam, but it has to be for 10 minutes. PeaceNikki Apr 2020 #22

I have a food steamer that I use to reheat food rather than use the microwave kimbutgar Apr 2020 #23

Better yet, don't go out unless absolutely necessary. cwydro Apr 2020 #27

I do wonder about the mail and newspapers though. Disaffected Apr 2020 #35

Coronavis is protected by a layer of 'fat' that detergent or soap just destroys. applegrove Apr 2020 #39

A Science Note On This ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #46

TY! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #47

Alas, I Do Not ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #48

TY! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #49

. jberryhill Apr 2020 #52

I Did ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #57

In five seconds? jberryhill Apr 2020 #59

You're The One Who Mentioned Bulk Temperature ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #61

Also, the notion that microwave ovens are "tuned to water" is a popular myth jberryhill Apr 2020 #53

95% Water ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #56

That's neither here nor there jberryhill Apr 2020 #58

I must be the only one who does not have my own Doreen Apr 2020 #54

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftInTX Apr 2020 #55

You can't wash non reusable mask anyway. LisaL Apr 2020 #68

Why would you sterilize ANYTHING in a device where you prepare your food? brooklynite Apr 2020 #63

Personally, I would not, on either count! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #66

I use soap and scalding hot water in my kitchen sink Dem2 Apr 2020 #64

And SheltieLover Apr 2020 #67