Best Ways to Reuse N95 Masks & Other Respirators Safely



The latest variant Omicron is profusely spreading extensively making situations all the more difficult with the existing Delta variant. At this crucial juncture, it is imperative for people to stay aware of necessary safety precautions. Bulk buying of masks from the wholesale N95 mask manufacturers is an essential matter for enterprises. Also, get to know the ways to reuse respirators a few times, before throwing them away.

With the growing emergence of the Omicron variants all across the globe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its mask recommendations, especially related to N95 masks and other respirators. As per CDC, respirators are the effective protective agent against the rising threat of the virus. It is the legitimate safety equipment that functions more effectively and extensively than the surgical or cloth masks. Moreover, CDC further recommends that enterprises buy a bulk and high-quality quantity of masks from reliable wholesale PPE suppliers with having FDA certification with the company.

In addition to the recommendation, several people raise the query of the reusable nature of the N95 mask or any other respirator. That’s the reason, we bring forth here common questions regarding the reusable nature of your N95 mask.

So, with no further delay, let’s get started on the same.

1. How to Safely Reuse a Face Mask?

Yes, it is completely safe to reuse an N95 Mask, especially using a special set of techniques. It is possible by keeping the face mask inside a paper bag for a while after a single-use. This technique helps the respirator be disinfected and safe to wear after a brief period of time.

As per the recommendation of CDC, keeping a respirator inside a brown paper bag is not new. During the extreme shortage of personal protective equipment in 2020, a majority of healthcare workers used to do this task of placing their respirator inside a paperwork and user the other mask. They keep doing the same with a rotation of 5 or more masks in a safe and protective manner.

2. Is that Safe to Reuse N95 Respirator, Considering the Potential Dangers of Omicron Variant?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to reuse the mask over a period of time. It is due to the fact that respirators trap the particles of the virus on the outside layer and prevent the transmission of the virus. All you need to do is clean and disinfect the respirator timely to stay protected and safeguard against the growing threat

3. What is the Respirator Gets Wet?

There are instances when your N95 mask gets wet, mainly due to your breadth. A little bit of moisture present inside the face mask slowly degrades its protective element. It happens, when you are working out at the gym while putting your face mask on and moisture added to the same. But there is a way to eliminate the moisture and again use the face mask proficiently. All you have to do is keep the respirator inside a brown paper bag in a dry spot, like in bright sunlight. It then helps enhance the viral deactivation process and allows your mask to be reused again.

4. Can I Wash My Respirator or Disinfect it?

Earlier, most people were of the opinion that washing their surgical face mask with water helps disinfect the same. Well, it does not and further degrades its functionality of it. The same happens with the N95 face mask that should not be washed or disinfected using a hand sanitiser, bleach or alcohol. Because, if you do, then it reduces the filtration capacity of the mask and damage the same to make breathing heavy and difficult.

5. What About Treating the Face Mask with Heat or UV Light?

A particular technique of placing a face mask within heat or UV light can disinfect the same. But only for 2-3 times when strict safety protocols are followed under a particular settings hospitals. In general, dry-heat contamination and UV light effect have no use in disinfecting your face protective agent.

Bottom Line

Several precautionary measures are essential to follow while wearing an N95 face mask or any other respirator. Do get to know the reusing techniques and principles to stay protected against the growing virus. Also, know more about face masks and supplies along with buying the same in bulk from one of the leading personal protective companies i.e., Co-Defend.

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