English Views: 1 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-06-03 Origin: Site
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, face masks have become a necessity, like keys or your wallet — you can’t leave home without them. For the reusable cloth masks popular with so many people, that means a lot of laundry.
But there’s one question that dogs mask-wearers: Do you really have to wash them after every use? The answer is yes.
Studies have shown that COVID-19 doesn't last very long on clothing compared to hard surfaces. In addition, if the virus is exposed to high temperatures, it can shorten its life span.
At room temperature, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 to adhere to fabric or clothing can last up to two days. Compared to seven days on plastic and metal.
In addition, the coronavirus on the fabric's surface can die within five minutes if exposed to high temperatures.
Meanwhile, new research conducted by scientists at De Montfort University (DMU) has found that the virus appears to have a different ability to survive in each type of fabric.
The study was led by microbiologist Katie Laird, PhD, virologist Maitreyi Shivkumar, PhD, and postdoctoral research fellow Lucy Owen, A droplet model of the coronavirus called HCOV-OC43, whose structure and survival pattern are similar to SARS-COV-2, was added to polyester, polyester cotton, and 100% cotton.
The researchers found that polyester had the highest risk of transmission, with the covid-19 still present and still infectious after three days.
On fabrics made of 100 percent cotton, the virus persisted for 24 hours, while polyester-cotton worked best, with the virus surviving for just six hours.
"At the beginning of the pandemic, very little was known about how long the covid-19 would last on textiles," says Dr Katie Laird.
"Our findings suggest that three textiles most commonly used in healthcare pose a risk of viral transmission. If nurses and health workers take their uniforms home, they may leave traces of the virus on other surfaces, "he explains.
In this regard, Dr Katie Laird recommends that medical uniforms be cleaned in hospitals or industrial laundromats to prevent viruses from being carried home.
But for those who don't work in a healthcare setting, Katie Laird, PhD, suggests how to effectively wash clothes during the COVID-19 pandemic, as follows:
Put used clothes and cloth masks in the washing machine
1.Don't shake dirty clothes to release the virus into the air
2. Wash clothes in warm water according to the washing machine setting
3. If you have a dryer, leave your clothes there instead of drying them with other clothes
"It is absolutely advisable to wash masks every day." There are infectious disease experts and epidemiologists who said, they point out that the purpose of masks is to prevent the spread of the virus, so wearing an unwashed mask can backfire if you have virus particles on it.
If you've invested in reusable cloth face masks, keeping them clean is just as important as remembering to put it on and ensuring the fit is right for you.
Fabric face masks are fairly easy to clean, whether this is by hand or in the washing machine.
Unlike disposable masks, which are thrown away after every use, fabric ones last much longer — meaning it's vital you know how to clean them.
Health Department recommends cleaning your masks using hot water and regular detergent, and then drying them on the hottest setting on your dryer.
Masks should be “routinely washed” and that a “washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.” This is one of the easiest ways to clean your mask.
1. Fabric masks can be placed in the washing machine along with your regular laundry and whatever detergent you use.
2. Make sure it is washed on a high temperature. You can either air dry them or place them in the tumble dryer on the highest setting.
3. If your mask is cotton, ensure it is on the cotton setting. More delicate face mask fabrics may need to be hand-washed.
No specific data exists on whether it's better to toss your mask in the washing machine or hand-wash it. What's more important is the water temperature.While a washing machine cycle might be more effective than hand-washing because it offers longer exposure, if hand-washing is combined with a hot soak with detergent or bleach, it could be as effective.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends washing face masks in water that is at least 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit).4 While a washing machine can reach that temperature, you're not likely to get there with your sink. “These high temperatures cannot be achieved with hand-washing—you would burn your hands,” MacIntyre says.
Before putting your mask on, Health Department recommends, you should wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Once on, the mask should fit snugly around the nose and mouth.
“Avoid touching the mask while using it,” the department says online. “If you do, wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.”
