How to reuse N95, KN95, and other disposable Masks- A complete guideline

It is very troublesome for people to change their masks after a single-use. We will explain how you can reuse the recommended masks — N95, KN95, and disposable masks to prevent coronavirus.

How can you reuse masks?

For healthcare workers, it is recommended that they can reuse N95 masks while keeping them in brown paper bags after each use.

How safe is it to reuse masks during increased cases of the Omicron variant of Covid?

Yes, it’s totally safe to reuse masks if you handle them with care. You are required to touch the elastic of the mask only while covering your face and afterwards you can wash your hands.

How to use your mask if it gets wet?

Mask is wearable again if it gets wet due to condensation of your breathing but make sure to keep the masks in the paper bag in a dry spot, ideally by a sunny window, to decontaminate. It can help enhance the viral-deactivation process.

However, if your mask is drenched during rain, you need to throw it away immediately because moisture degrades the mask little by little.

Don’t try to wash your masks

If you are thinking of washing or disinfecting your masks, you cannot use absolutely any kind of bleach or alcohol for washing. You can use the paper bag method for sanitising as it is less expensive and easy to use. It has fewer chances of damaging the mask effectively.

What is the right time to throw away your mask?

The United States (US) organisation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests throwing your N95 mask after five times’ use for health workers. However, for other people, you can reuse the mask until the elastic strings become loose to fit and if the fabric looks clean and provides good airflow. You can only throw the disposable masks immediately where you are present in a highly ineffective area or you met with a Covid-positive person.

It is important to know that dust, air pollutants, pollen, make-up, skin oils, inactivated virus accumulate and block the filters.