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Does a reusable fabric mask, discolored by multiple washes, become ineffective in protecting against Covid-19? A recent study says no.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder suggest that regular washing and drying of reusable sheet masks does not hinder their ability to filter out viral particles.
Marina Vance, one of the lead authors of the study, said: “That cotton mask that you washed, dried and reused? It’s probably still good, don’t throw it away. ”
Also read: Pandemic Mask Mountain Launches New Recycling Challenge
The researchers tested the masks under real conditions such as high humidity levels and high temperatures to mimic the impact of human breathing. While the cotton fibers began to break down over time after repeated washing and drying, the researchers found that this did not significantly affect the filtration efficiency of the fabric.
The only noticeable change was that the resistance to inhalation has increased slightly, meaning the mask may feel a bit harder to breathe after some wear and tear.
The study, published in the journal Aerosol and Air Quality Research, also confirms previous research that layering a cotton mask over a surgical mask, properly fitted to the face, offers more protection than fabric alone.
By measuring the filtration quality of the air breathed by the mask, this study found that cotton fabric masks filtered up to 23% of the smallest particle size (0.3 microns) on which the virus can move.
Research suggested that in comparison, surgical masks filtered between 42% and 88% of tiny particles and cotton masks above surgical masks achieved near 40% filtration efficiency. Unsurprisingly, the KN95 and N95 masks performed the best, filtering out 83-99% of these particles.
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