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Cloth Masks

How to Care for Your Hemp Cloth Mask

By April 20, 2020May 6th, 2022No Comments

All new masks and filters must be sterilised with boiling water before use and after each wear. Do not fiddle with the mask whilst wearing. 

Please note: Hemp is a natural material and submerging your mask in boiling water may cause the fabric to discolour slightly. This will not, however, affect the performance of your cloth mask. 

  1. Place the complete unit (mask and filter) in a bowl and pour boiling water from a kettle over it. Make sure it is fully submerged in the boiling water.
  2. Leave the complete mask in the hot water for at least 5 minutes.
  3. Rinse the mask under cold running water.
  4. Remove the filter and pat it dry between two paper towels or clean dishcloths. Leave aside to air dry.
  5. If the mask has dirty marks on it, you can hand or machine wash the mask. Make sure the filter is removed beforehand. If you machine wash, make sure it is a cool wash. Do not use fabric softener. 
  6. Do not squeeze, wring or hand-wash the filter. The delicate structure may be damaged.
  7. Leave both the filter and mask to air dry. Do not tumble dry. Once both components are dry, insert filter back into the mask. Store in a clean, dry place until you are ready to wear it again. 
  8. Once the filter has been sterilised five times – discard it after sterilising and insert a new filter (after sterilising before use).

Please follow these additional precautions after each wear:

  1. Remove the mask from your face carefully – do not touch the mask, remove by the elastics only.
  2. Wash hands using hand-washing protocols for COVID-19.
  3. Wash your face using COVID -19 protocols.

These are not medical grade, surgical masks and N95 respirators, which are in short supply globally and need to be preserved for our frontline health workers. Cloth masks can offer some protection from respiratory viruses, so long as the individual wearing them uses them properly and consistently. Masks should support other precautions such as frequent hand washing, limiting outings and social distancing.

Masks can be purchased via our sister company, Ubuntu Baba.