The reusable cloth masks seem to be emerging as an important accessory for any outfit as the Spaniards began to settle in «new normal.»
Given the difficulty of predicting what a person will find when they leave home, the director of the Center for Coordination of Alerts and Health Emergencies, Fernando Simón, said that it was advisable to always go out with a mask, at least in your pocket, to be able to put it on if you found a place, open or closed, crowded. The priority, according to Simón, is the safety distance, but if this cannot be maintained, you have to resort to masks.
If you cannot guarantee the distance, use a mask
The message has been reinforced by health officials in different provinces, who are encouraging locals to use reusable face masks in community settings, such as public transportation.
Several supermarket chains also ask employees and shoppers alike to cover their faces before entering stores.
As different provinces continue to loosen space closure restrictions, getting and adding reusable cloth masks to your wardrobe is something that many Spaniards are already considering. Whether you’re looking to buy one or make your own, here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the right fabric mask:
How should I clean my cloth mask?
The Ministry of Health recommends three methods to disinfect these masks, any one of the three being valid. The first is to wash and disinfect these types of barrier protections with normal detergent and water at a temperature between 60 and 90 degrees, which would correspond to the normal cycle of the washing machine.
As a second route, it is proposed to immerse the masks in a 1:50 dilution of bleach (20 ml of bleach, 980 ml of water) with lukewarm water for 30 minutes and then wash with soap and water and rinse to remove any traces of bleach.
Finally, the ministry notes that «due to the special circumstances of the health crisis and the urgency of having disinfecting products with virucidal activity for the disinfection of reusable hygienic masks», any of the virucidal products authorized by the Ministry of Health may be used to environmental use and that are registered for use by the general public, although always following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
After disinfection with this method, the masks must be washed with plenty of soap and water to remove any chemical residue and must be allowed to dry.
How should I store a reusable fabric mask that I have already used?
If you are not looking to wash your cloth mask immediately after taking it off, it is okay to store it with your other clothes, preferably in a basket with a lid that can be closed.
If you are traveling, it is recommended to keep your mask in a plastic or paper bag until you get home. Cloth masks should be changed as soon as they get wet or dirty.
Similar to the experts’ recommendations, they point out that cloth masks can also be washed together with other clothes. You can even put them in a mesh bag to protect them from damage in the washing machine.
Do the same as you would with your underwear or anything you consider a delicate fabric.
How many cloth masks should I have?
Although it would be ideal to have seven cloth masks available to wear during the week, it is recommended to have at least three on hand.
Washing your mask every day can be a little onerous. So it would be helpful if you could at least have some spares.
Considering the importance of washing the cloth mask after each use, it is strongly suggested to have more than one mask on hand.
Where do I get reusable children’s cloth face masks?
Although you can buy them in any macro online store of well-known brands, we recommend you bet on family-owned artisan companies that are manufactured in a sustainable way. One of these companies is Pilukids , a small artisan brand of clothing and personalized accessories, mainly for children, although they also do some things for the elderly and for the home. They have reinvented themselves and launched their latest product, which are reusable cloth face masks, sustainable and with a layer of cotton, another of antibacterial sanitary twill and interchangeable TNT filters.
