How should I clean and store my face mask?

Anissa Archuleta, center, sits at a window with her sister Alexis Archuleta, right, and her mother, Jaime Ortega, at their home in Midvale, Utah. Ortega and her two daughters had to get tested and be monitored for two weeks after they stopped by a birthday party for a young cousin whose father unknowingly had the coronavirus. The women all tested negative, but received daily calls from health investigator Maria DiCaro to check on their symptoms. Associated Press

Posted May 21, 2020 1:00 am

The Associated Press

Cloth face masks worn during the coronavirus pandemic should be washed regularly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health experts recommend wearing a mask made from cotton fabric, such as T-shirts, or scarves and bandannas, when you are outside and unable to maintain social distancing from others.

The covering should be washed daily after use, says Penni Watts, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Nursing.

It is best to clean your mask in a washing machine or with soap and hot water. The mask should be dried completely. Dry it in a hot dryer, if possible.

Watts advises storing the clean, dry mask in a new paper bag to keep it safe from germs.

The CDC has urged people to use washable cloth coverings to ensure there are enough surgical and N95 masks for medical workers.

The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.