General Discussion

catrose

(5,242 posts)

41. There's a photo circulating the internet of a homemade (I think) pleated mask

Mon Apr 13, 2020, 06:03 PM

Apr 2020

that went through the microwave. The owner needs at least a new mask (not sure about the microwave).

This is the type of mask that needs soap & water.

I understand that someone's figured out a way to sanitize N95s, but it looked like an industrial process.

Not being in the medical field, I don't expect to have my hands on an N95, but I'll keep your advice in mind.

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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