In addition to medical masks, individuals can use antibacterial fabric masks to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the body. Antibacterial fabric masks are treated with various methods such as impregnation, coating, or spraying antibacterial substances onto the fabric surface. Consequently, the finished fabric can eliminate up to 90% of bacteria after one hour of contact and reduce to 60-70% after several washes.
Let's explore how to use this type of face mask in the article below.
Using Antibacterial Fabric Face Masks
Guidelines for Wearing Antibacterial Fabric Masks Correctly

Properly Wearing a Face Mask is Essential for Optimal Health Protection.
- Step 1: Determine the Correct Direction for Wearing the Face Mask
Antibacterial face masks are typically designed with the surface facing downwards to limit the possibility of droplets adhering to the fabric layer.
- Step 2: Wear the Face Mask to Cover from the Bridge of the Nose to the Chin
After determining the correct wearing direction, put on the face mask. Ensure that the mask snugly fits the bridge of your nose and covers your entire chin. This helps block droplets from passing through gaps and entering your respiratory system.
Do You Need to Wash Antibacterial Fabric Masks?
After using an antibacterial fabric face mask, it's essential to wash it to ensure safety. Because the front of the mask is where it comes into contact with dirt or bacteria in the environment, washing the mask clean is necessary. This also ensures the antibacterial properties of the mask effectively.
Guide to Washing Antibacterial Fabric Face Masks

Hand Wash Antibacterial Fabric Masks and Avoid Machine Washing
For antibacterial fabric masks, you should gently hand wash them. Note that you should not put the mask in the washing machine. You can use scented soap or antibacterial foaming hand wash to clean the mask effectively.
Absolutely Do Not Use Hot Water to Wash Masks
Note that you should not soak the mask in hot water for too long as the fabric fibers will swell. As a result, antibacterial chemicals will be released from the fiber structure, leading to a loss of the mask's antibacterial ability.
Air Dry Face Masks Immediately After Washing
After washing, it's advisable to air dry face masks in the shade, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. UV rays from sunlight can affect the antibacterial chemicals on the fabric surface.
Considerations When Using Fabric Masks

To effectively use fabric masks, you need to consider the following:
Choose fabric masks made of knitted or woven fabric with 2 layers, including an antibacterial layer to prevent harmful viruses and bacteria from entering the body.
When removing the mask, grasp the mask straps to remove it. Avoid touching the outer surface of the mask with your hands as bacteria and viruses may still be present on it.
Afterward, you should wash your hands with soap or a diluted alcohol solution, dry hand sanitizer to kill any remaining bacteria, viruses.
Antibacterial fabric masks offer many benefits to users such as preventing the risk of infection, reusable multiple times, and comfortable to wear. When using a face mask, you need to ensure that you follow the instructions above to protect your health effectively.
