Wondering how to clean your mouthguard? We show you how to disinfect your DIY respirator!
You have to look at things positively. I'm happy every time I see a colorful and not boring mouth guard while shopping.
I have also sewn myself a mask. But at the latest when you wear it a little longer, you wonder how you can clean the mouthguard. After all, it gets quite moist and hot under the protection.
We have done some research for you and show you how to disinfect your nose and mouth guard.
Table of contents
If the mouth-nose mask is wet after wearing, you need to clean it and wear another one until then.
Important: Wash your hands very thoroughly after taking off the mask!
Why you need to clean your mouthguard
Like your hands, you should wash or disinfect the nose-and-mouth mask regularly. Many droplets collect in the mask when you exhale. You don't even have to sneeze for that.
Every time we breathe and talk, we release droplets.
It becomes moist and warm. The perfect conditions for bacteria, viruses, germs and co. to multiply.
Sew your mouth guard easily yourself + pattern!
Also, the respirator may start to smell after time. Pretty disgusting. Then, at the latest, it's time to clean the mouthguard!
It is not difficult and there are several options. Which is the best for your mouth guard, we tell you now.
A mask should never be worn for more than a full day. It is best to clean it every time you have worn it for more than 15 minutes.
How an oven can help clean the mouth guard
Bacteria, viruses and germs love it moist and warm. But not hot and dry. That deprives them of their basis for life.
So, for this method of cleaning the fabric mask, you need an oven. Even a pizza oven will do the job if it can manage more than 80° Celsius.
Very important: Masks whose wire frame cannot be removed have no business in the oven! There is a risk of flying sparks or burning of the fabric!
Because this is the temperature you need to clean the mask.
- Preheat the oven to 80° top-bottom heat.
- Place the nose and mouth guard in the oven. Best without baking tray.
- Make sure that the mask is lying on the grate and not hanging down with a ribbon. This could cause burns to the fabric.
- Leave the mask in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Now turn them and bake them for another 15 minutes at 80° Celsius.
Then hang them on a rotary dryer to cool. That's it.
No sewing machine? This mask also works with needle and thread!
What masks can be in the washing machine
You have a nice homemade nose and mouth mask? Then you can easily put it in the washing machine.
For DIY masks is advised to use cotton fabric. On the one hand, it is comfortable to breathe and on the other hand, you can easily put it in the washing machine. Cleaning mouthguards has never been so easy.
Does your mask have a wire or strap sewn into it? Remove it in advance if possible.
- Put the respirator in a laundry net.
- You can safely wash them together with other laundry.
- Select 60° Celsius and the strongest spin program.
- After washing, hang them up to dry.
Done! Before wearing, make sure it is really dry and never store it wet in a closed container.
How an iron helps clean nose mouth guard
You don't have an oven or it's too tedious for you? You need the mask immediately and can not wait for the next wash?
Then an iron is the right choice for you!
More precisely, your steam iron. It can generate a lot of heat.
- Put the mask on the ironing board. Remove the wire.
- Select the laundry program for cotton.
- Steam the mask very firmly with the iron.
- Turn them and repeat the process.
- Then hang them on the clothesline to dry.
Even a normal iron does its job, but just not as effectively as a steam iron.
How to make your own disinfectant!
How to clean mask in a saucepan works
If you wish, you can disinfect your mask by boiling it. But pay special attention to the material of the mask. Polyester does not tolerate high temperatures well. Cotton will also shrink at 100° Celsius.
So if you plan to clean the mask in hot water, then you should use a thermometer to be on the safe side.
Otherwise the mask is tiny at the end :)
- Bring water to a boil in a pot. Measure the temperature.
- If the water has 60° Celsius, you put the mouth guard into the pot.
- Take the pot off the stove top so that the temperature does not continue to rise.
- Cover and let stand for at least 15 minutes.
Attention: This is the only way to really wash your hands properly!
What you can clean disposable masks with
All those who do not have a homemade cloth mask, resort to disposable masks. The name is actually program here. After 1x wear, it usually ends up in the trash.
The medical mouth-nose guard is usually worn by doctors during surgery.
But you can also clean this mouthguard and use it again. In fact, you should do that. Because there is a big shortage of masks worldwide.
Again, you have several options.
Store mask correctly
It is much more important that you store and handle disposable masks properly. Remove the mask while wearing gloves. Hang it on the clothesline to dry.
So you can reuse the mask at least 1x.
Never store it in a closed container. It may start to mold due to the humidity.
Disinfectant for mask cleaning
Caution: Use very very little disinfectant. It can be toxic and damage the material if used incorrectly.
- Wipe out the disposable mask with disinfectant. However, use very very little agent for this!
- Put a few drops of the disinfectant on a kitchen towel. Or use disinfectant wipes.
- Wipe the mask thoroughly and from all sides with it.
Do not put the mask on immediately afterwards. Hang it on a clothesline and leave it there for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the excess disinfectant to evaporate and not harm you.
Attention: You should not do this more than 1x. The disinfectant can destroy the functionality of the mouthguard.
You are always safer on the road if you wear a fabric mask. You can either sew it yourself or buy a washable mask.
Do not touch your face with your hands! This is how it works!
What else you should know
Mouth masks should only be touched at the edges and with clean hands. Our hands are still the biggest carriers of viruses.
Therefore, wash or disinfect your hands before removing the mask and afterwards.
Never share your respirator with other people. Also do not clean or disinfect after the mouthguard.
Our conclusion
If you want to disinfect your face mask, you have several options. The easiest way is to wash fabric masks at 60° in the washing machine. Basically, however, all methods are equally suitable. The only important thing is to clean the mouthguard regularly.
Stay healthy!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more