Q&J Face Masks are the most effective when worn and handled properly. Follow these best practices.
- When you receive your mask, we suggest washing it before your first use.
- It is recommended that you hand wash the mask after each use in cool or warm, soapy water in a sink as it deactivates the COVID-19 virus and washes it away. Just like washing your hands. Hand washing in a sink helps preserve the fabric and wire bridge better than a washing machine as it tumbles the mask with other clothes and can misshape and bend the wire bridge.
- After washing, it is recommended that the mask is air-dried rather than in a clothes dryer. Do not use a microwave to dry the mask as it may cause the wire to spark and ruin the mask.
- We have washed and dried our masks in machines and found no issues but still recommend hand washing and air dry as it should extend the life of our mask.
- Use a cool or warm iron for any touchup.
- One lesson we learned from the lab tests is that the electrostatic properties need to be recharged periodically. Surgical and N95 masks are charged during the manufacturing process but are designed for single-use and lose this property as well. Ours are reusable using the following recharging procedure. To electrostatically recharge our masks for continued use, it is recommended that you recharge the fabric after every washing or periodically during a long day. There are several options to do this: rub the inner silk layer of your dry mask between your clean, dry hands, with a paper or cloth towel or against your clothes like your pant leg, skirt or shirt . You can also fold the mask lengthwise in half and rub the inner silk material together. Pick your preferred method and rub it for at least 30 seconds or up to one minute to recharge the materials. Try not to bend the wire nose bridge when using any of these options to prevent fatigue or breaks.
- Reviews indicate that the silk lining helps reduce both tactile sensitivity and maskne (face mask acne) especially combined with frequent washing after you wear our mask for long hours. If you still experience mascne, wash your face before and after wearing your mask. Follow any facial tips from your dermatologist or online as well. Having more than one mask may also help and allows for frequent changes as needed.
- Do not bend the encased wire other than for proper fitting when putting on the mask. Do not bend the wire to put in a pocket or purse. Excessive bending can fatigue the wire and cause it to break.
- Make sure you have a good, close fit on the bottom by extending the folds and also adjust the wire at the top of the mask to close the gap between the nose and cheeks. You do not want to inhale or exhale air around the edges. After putting on the mask and adjusting for proper fit, you should notice the mask will billow slightly out when exhaling and slightly in when inhaling. There should be no air escaping or entering from the edges. If so, readjust the mask for a better fit.
- Put on and take off your face mask by the earloops.
- Try not to touch the face mask body directly when wearing as you may contaminate it. Use the earloops for any adjustments if possible.
- If the earloops do not allow the mask to fit snugly on the face. twist the loops one or two times and then put them around your ears.
- If the earloops are too short for a good fit, pull them 10 - 20 times to stretch them out after each washing.
- If your eyeglasses fog up, make sure you have a good fit with the wire bridge closing off the gap between the nose and cheeks. You can also wash your glasses with soap and water or use a defogger.
- The face mask pocket is available for the user to add layer(s). Use whatever fabric, coffee filter, or another filter to suit your need for additional protection. One method of inserting a layer is to roll up the layer before inserting, insert the rolled layer into the pocket, and spread it out with your fingers. Cotton may be the best fabric to insert and should be 100 thread count or higher. Batik cotton is about 200 thread count.
- Still have problems with your mask? Here is a great article from Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/how-to-fix-your-annoying-mask-covid-19/.
- Some face masks do not offer the protection needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Just hold a face mask up to the light or sun and see how much light comes through or if the weave is of poor quality with a loose weave or small holes. The less light the better while still being able to breathe reasonably well.
- Also, face masks with valves usually provide only one-way protection and allows the user's breath to be exhaled without filtering which contradicts the basic purpose of wearing a face mask.
- Wearing face masks, handwashing, and social distancing are the three pillars to prevent spreading or catching COVID-19. It is a good and safe practice to wear a face mask regardless of local guidance that states face masks are optional or not required.
- Stay up to date with national, state/province, or local health guidelines or regulations.