General Discussion

Unrepentant Fenian

(1,078 posts)

20. What you're doing should work fine by itself...

Tue Aug 4, 2020, 10:04 PM

Aug 2020

I know that a virus is nothing more than a strand of DNA or RNA that is surrounded by a protein coat. The bonds that hold the viral proteins together are relatively weak. That's why the experts tell you to wash your hands for 20 seconds. That's long enough for the soap to break down the protein coat and the viral DNA/RNA has lost it's protective coat and it's pretty much rendered ineffective. So if you leave your masks in a mildly soapy solution for more than 20 seconds, I'm sure that alone would kill off any virus on them.

From what I've heard, but can't swear to is Covid will die on cloth in 72 hours. I'd like to point out that when the experts tell you to wash your hands for 20 seconds, what they should be saying is to work the soap into your hands for 20 seconds then rinse with a lot of friction and copious amounts of clean water.
I hope this helps.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

31 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Mask question... [View all] albacore Aug 2020 OP

I think the virus dies after several days on surfaces. louis-t Aug 2020 #1

Maybe, maybe not, but you can wash them. TreasonousBastard Aug 2020 #2

Yes. BigmanPigman Aug 2020 #3

It probably would, but you have enough to hand wash them between wearing. Arkansas Granny Aug 2020 #4

wash them handmade34 Aug 2020 #5

Everyone should watch this. In_The_Wind Aug 2020 #10

Works for me. we can do it Aug 2020 #6

Wash the mask after each wearing. In_The_Wind Aug 2020 #7

That is what I do as well. n/t ChazII Aug 2020 #26

If you can wash them do so RhodeIslandOne Aug 2020 #8

That is what HCWs are doing w dry heat being key as the virus is definitely inactivated 65 C (149F) hlthe2b Aug 2020 #9

I rotate and wash. MerryBlooms Aug 2020 #11

Leave the one that you wear in sunshine. Use a glove to flip it to expose each side for 2 hours. Blue_true Aug 2020 #12

Tech tip for cloth masks...Wash but afterwards add a small amount of soap. Boxerfan Aug 2020 #13

It should...but please consider washing them in sudsy water and allowing them to dry in the sun Baltimike Aug 2020 #14

I put the ones I am not using right up against the windshield... 3catwoman3 Aug 2020 #15

I throw my masks on the dash of my car when I get home from the grocery store. hunter Aug 2020 #16

Just throw them in a dryer under "refresh" setting AmericanCanuck Aug 2020 #17

Ew, sorry, no Hekate Aug 2020 #31

If you wear the procedure mask, the blue disposable ones, you can reuse them a few times mucifer Aug 2020 #18

Cloth masks are usually washable. LisaL Aug 2020 #19

What you're doing should work fine by itself... Unrepentant Fenian Aug 2020 #20

Your mask is going to have all kinds of bacteria that you are breathing out. LisaL Aug 2020 #21

Thanks, everybody.... nt albacore Aug 2020 #22

Saw someplace that the virus is probably dead after 72 hours. Liberal In Texas Aug 2020 #23

You won't catch Covid from reusing a mask in that rotation but their gonna stink. herding cats Aug 2020 #24

Rotate masks and when they are dry after handwashing Cairycat Aug 2020 #25

I have a mask and when I put it on it smells like updog. TheBlackAdder Aug 2020 #27

Why not just wash them? You don't have to use a washing machine each time. Use detergent and a sink Flaleftist Aug 2020 #28

I wash every time. It's taken me this long to feel I have more than enough... Hekate Aug 2020 #29

has anyone tried applying a hair dryer on the hot setting? harumph Aug 2020 #30