How are you storing masks?

Column

Since we're in the closet edit/reorganizing season:

How are y'all storing cloth masks to keep them hygienic once out of the washer and dryer (this latter of which "degrades the COVID-19 membrane")?

3 years ago

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Anonymous

What Covid 19 membrane ? Most cloth masks are just cotton or synthetic blends , no?

I don’t put mine in the dryer , but only because I don’t want the elastic to shrink . I hang them on a hook in the laundry room . Nothing very special about how I handle them .

3 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don’t put mine in the dryer either, for the same reason as Lisa (although more concerned about the elastic degrading than shrinking). We keep clean masks in a basket by the front door.

3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hang them dry and then store them in a pouch in my car. There isn’t really a time I use them at home so it’s best to keep them in the car.

3 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Mine are in a pile on the dresser. I hand wash them, and hang them in the bathroom to dry. Even though I have a bunch, I really only use three. They are ones that I sewed two masks together, for four layers of fabric. Mine don’t have any elastic; they have long shoelaces for a tie.

3 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I have quite a few of them, which I store in my lingerie drawer. Whenever I go out, I grab a clean one, and on return, it gets washed (by hand and air dried) and returned to the drawer.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Gallon size baggy holds mine.

3 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I “ try” to keep clean ones in individual ziplock baggies, just because that’s the cue that they haven’t been worn since washing, and I can grab one for coat pocket or purse and if I didn’t use it, it’s still kinds compartmentalizations.
I have a re-purposed wall- hanging mail slot/ key hooks thingy in a room not far from front door, so pile and hang some of them on that.
I was keeping a box of disposable masks and some bagged masks on an inside window ledge by the front door, with some other supplies, but I got tired of that particular COVID decor and so rearranged.

3 years ago

Leslie

Active Member

I keep my masks in piles by color on a shelf by my front door. I grab one on my way out based upon my outfit colors. There is a basket under the shelf where I put the worn ones.

I wash mine--all cotton--in warm water in a lingerie bag with my other things. I air dry them on a folding rack. I dry to use my dryer as little as possible, and I find that most of my clothing lasts...long past my interest in the pieces.

I live alone, so my masks have never mingled with anyone else's masks.

3 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

After washing, they are dried flat on a towel that sits on top of my dryer. Then I store them in modular drawers purchased from Amazon. We have so many masks now (family of 5, different sizes and needs) that I needed a dedicated storage spot. I keep a bunch of paper masks in ziplock bags stored in the glove compartment of each of our four cars. So if anyone forgets a mask—or feels the need to double mask—they are ready. It’s a car culture here in the ‘burbs.

3 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I don't put mine in the dryer since they shrink. I keep the clean ones on a ziplock bag by the door so whoever is leaving can take one. I also keep a smaller bag with 5 in my handbag - just in case.

3 years ago

lisaflex

Veteran

wash, hang to dry, pop in dryer when dry on air fluff. we have a basket by door and I keep mine in ziplo0c bag in car.

once I wear one in to 3 places, a clean one goes on.

3 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I hung a mesh laundry bag on our entryway hooks (no closet). So they are grab and go for going out, or for when people come to the door.

3 years ago

Helena

Veteran

In the house we have them all hanging by the door ... And there's a small basket on the entry bench for the used ones when people come back in again. I wash them in a delicates bag in the washer and then hang them to dry.

My kids keep an extra clean one their school bags and that one's in a ziploc type pouch, and I have one similarly stored in my car.

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

There’s a ceramic bowl on a hutch near the front door with a collection of fabric masks for grab and go, and spares in zip lock baggies in both cars. After one day use, they go in the laundry and through a regular wash cycle - hang to dry.

I make 3-4 dozen masks every month for charity and for friends and family. My skills and methods have improved significantly since I first started making masks a year ago! The local fabric store got in a big bolt of polypropylene and I started making 3-ply masks this month.

Pic below - the last batch of masks for charity.

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3 years ago

kkards

Veteran

The good ones are always hanging on the drying rack lol. The other ones are stuffed in a bag in my car ( just in case), in a pocket on my backpack (just in case) and in the pocket of my coat (just in case).

3 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Carla, that’s wonderful!

3 years ago

Column

Veteran

Carla: Those masks are amazing!

I figured if any group had a protocol for keeping masks disinfected in storage, it would be this one!

Like you all, I have variously washed and air-dried on hangers and in lingerie bags. But on occasion now I throw them in the dryer for a few minutes after air-drying to kill any virus left. I place in bulk or individually in baggies at various points of use. I also have a dedicated drawer.

Here's the article that made me ask. Lisa: Somewhere or other there is a discussion of the COVID membrane. Perhaps the docs and nurses on the forum can explain!

3 years ago

suzieq

Active Member

Don’t laugh, but my husband & I have 2 drawstring bags that some Carnival blankets came in. They were gifts to us because we’re Platinum cruisers. Anyway, I took the blankets out. One bag is for my husband’s masks & the other one is for mine. I hang them on the coat rack for easy access.

3 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I am not sure what you mean by "COVID layer" unless you're buying one of those masks with silver particles. Maybe I haven't heard of it...

Anyway. I keep a box with tissue paper and put them in there in a drawer.

3 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I wash mine in a lingerie bag, hang to dry, and keep them, Kondo style, in an empty tissue box with the top cut off in my lingerie drawer. We have a basket of disposable masks by the back door with the hand sanitizer. Used masks go in a lingerie bag after each wear.

3 years ago

Column

Veteran

I meant the virus’ membrane; heat supposedly breaks down any virus left on the mask.

3 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I have a few types. My favorites are a brand called Vogmask that are almost N95 level filtration. I can’t wash those, because it damages the filter, so I hang them from a shelf to air out for a few days between uses, and wipe with ethanol sometimes. I also have some Uniqlo masks that I wash cold and air dry, and I assume any virus is dead within 3 days of use. I’ve mostly stopped using the homemade cotton ones my MIL sent us, because they’re less comfy than the Uniqlo ones, but those were washed hot.

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3 years ago

Active Member

We have a basket for ours. Husband refuses to wear cloth masks so wears the disposable kind but doesn't wear them properly, leaves his nose hanging out. He is a crazy antivaxxer/Anti masker...doesn't believe in corona...not the sort of thing you ask about before you get married but wish I had (¯―¯٥)　Aaaaanyway, me and the kids keep our masks in a basket. Littlest one has a few nice dino print ones that the eldest one is a little bit jealous about. Will have to get him some nice fabric and have some for him made. I put them in the washer and the dryer and they come out fine but a little wrinkled.

3 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

When I made all our cloth masks, I made a little drawstring bag to corral my clean ones. Husband keeps most of his in his truck console.

3 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Clean in a plastic bin. Dirty in a plastic bag that hangs off the closet door handle. I do throw them in the dryer after handwashing, but I’ve acquired a lot so I’m not always washing and drying. I’m double masking now with disposables and hope it’s all good enough...

3 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

We have hooks by the door for coats and such, and a small stool with disposable masks by the door. I wash them on delicate and hang dry.

3 years ago

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