This is a problem of the COVID-19 era in particular: putting on a cloth face mask (reusable, please!) Right before your trip outside to realize that it doesn’t smell so good.
Newsflash: You should wash your masks after each wear. But instead of turning to a good ol ‘utility laundry detergent for what ends up being another household chore, bring some joy into your life by treating yourself to some luxury laundry detergent.
The logic: you, the wearer of the mask, breathe its scent all day. So why not enhance your experience by adding a luxurious scent to your little bubble of personal space?
The options for prosperity while hiding are endless. Or maybe, rinse out your perfume story completely with Labo’s Santal 33 or Rose 31 detergents?
And while sophisticated detergents can be more expensive, by hand washing them in a bowl, you usually only use about one cap at a time, which means the bottle will last around 50 to 60 rounds. Whichever you choose, your mask set will be taken to the next level.
At the start of the pandemic, when the world was scary I started washing my sheets with Le Labo detergent.
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The next morning I gathered all the masks in my house (my personal favorites are the Clare V. masks for running errands and Jill & Ally for when I just need to put one on quickly to run in down), rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
Almost a year after this habit, here are my washing tips:
- In order for the masks to be clean, you need to use hot water. First, for about five minutes, I pre-soak my masks in very hot water, drain them, then give them a nice little bubble bath with my detergent and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. Then I rub each one for a few minutes, rinse and hang!
- Hand washing can be tricky. Make sure the water is flowing completely without bubbles when you are finished washing (detergent leftovers can irritate your skin!).
- I don’t own an iron, so how I dry my masks is critical. Put them on hangers to air dry (I prefer to do this in the shower in case there is any residual water) overnight – I have also noticed that this helps set the fabric scent.
- Treat stains if you have a brand of makeup. I like to wear the Tide to Go wipes to stop the stain as soon as I see it, or let this color solution soak in for a few minutes of pre-wash.
- If you have sensitive skin, before trying this technique be careful and consult your dermatologist.
