How Long Can You Keep a Disposable Mask?

With the pandemic surging around the world, masks are emerging as the first line of defense to stop the spread of COVID 19. When entering the grocery store or going out in public, wearing a mask is the new normal. Some stores won’t even allow entries if you have no face mask on. However, you might have a lot of questions like, how long you can continue to wear the same one? Or, what’s the real difference between reusable and disposable masks? Below is some advice to help answer these questions to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy during this time.

The Facts

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) director reports that masks are one of the most powerful protectants from spreading the virus. With this knowledge in hand, it’s time to start wearing a mask if you haven’t been wearing one haven’t already.

Healthcare workers have been wearing masks for the entirety of their work-days to stop the inhalation of droplets from infected patients. Studies back up mask’s efficacy as they show that they can reduce the spread of any of your respiratory droplets to others. If you wear one, you’re not only protecting yourself, you are also protecting all of those who may be more vulnerable around you.

When and How to Wash

If you’re using a reusable mask, it’s recommended that you wash it after every use. This isn’t just to avoid coronavirus, but it’s also to get rid of any other germs and bacteria that may have accumulated within the inside or outside of the mask. On the other hand, you can’t wash disposable masks. You should ideally throw them out after a couple of uses, and you need to discard it if it’s damaged, physically dirty, or overly stretched out. But if you have to, you can reuse them as long as you’re being extremely careful with wearing and handling it. This means allowing it to ventilate and avoiding touching it while in the public or with unwashed hands. If you can’t wash your masks immediately, it’s a good idea to always keep extra clean masks in your vehicle. This way, if you forget one you can have a disposable mask at hand if needed, but by carrying extras, you can also have a reusable face mask that you can wash to use again.

Why Buy Reusable?

There are many valuable reasons to invest in a reusable face mask over a disposable one. From a simple standpoint, reusable masks are more environmentally friendly because you are creating less waste. Masks like these that you can purchase online are made out of biodegradable materials like cotton and bamboo. In addition to this, they are more stylish, affordable, and still just as effective for disease prevention. Last but not least, they’re more hygienic because you can pop them into the washing machine to kill any lingering bacteria, viruses, or germs. When looking for choices that encompass these traits and more, make sure to check out these reusable face masks. NxTStop undoubtedly has the best face masks on the market. They boast two layers of breathable protection, a snug fit, and style, all without compromising on comfort.

If you have trouble finding a mask that fits your face properly, NxTStop’s have adjustable ear loops that can accommodate any sized face.

Conclusion

With the nature of the current pandemic, it can be difficult to feel like you have some control over the situation. However, by simply wearing a quality mask, you can gain a bit of that control back into your life. By purchasing a reusable mask over a disposable one, you commit to comfort, quality, and efficacy. More importantly, you’re committing to stopping the spread of COVID 19. By using a reusable mask, you’re also reducing the amount of waste that will end up in our landfills, because millions of the disposable masks are ending up in the garbage every day.

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Scott

Scott brings philosophical insights and witty wordplay to his writing for Unfinished Man. With wide-ranging interests from bikes to beers, he explores the novelty in everyday life. Scott aims to both inform and entertain readers with his perspectives on culture, technology, and the pursuit of living well.

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