Hi can anyone confirm if its ok to use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe down a mask that you bought just to sort of disinfect it. Sometimes disinfecting and then protecting with a latex protectant like 303 aerospae will keep the mask from bacteria aiding in process of rotting latex. However Is alcohol safe to use on paint used on masks or is it possible it could strip it in the process and cause more damage than good. Any advice? Thanks
Depends on the mask and whats on it. Most masks will be okay if they are sealed or latex mixed paint has cured… only time rubbing alcohol will really do anything is if there is any plain acrylic paint not mixed with latex on the mask. I did this in my tots masks alot I would do a layer of thin white and latex mix. Then practice painting everything else with straight acrylic paint. And I would clean with a rag and alcohol and scrub it hard. The white never came back up or peel but The acrylic came right off. So if it’s a finished mask you should be fine if your going over lightly and with a cotton ball.
Thanks JSR. What I am going to do instead is use the alcohol free kills 99 percent germs handwipes. That should be just as good as alcohol at disinfecting while taking the chance. You think those handwipes would be safe too? If its safe and non toxic for hands should be ok for a mask? Looks like it has Banzalkonium Chloride not sure if that inself is safe I would have to research.
Is this safer than alcohol probably?
The products contain the active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride, a quaternary ammonium. Unlike alcohol-based products, alcohol-free hand sanitizers often contain less than a 0.1% concentration of Benzalkonium. … Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are a low fire hazard and are non-damaging to surfaces
Bottom line is [u]a huge risk for rot is getting a mask that has bacteria and sweat and saliva mixing with uv rays and ozone on the mask. The first step we should all do is sanitze the masks.THEN protect with 303 followed up with a dusting of **Cornstarch_.Then keep away from sunlight[/u]_**. That will keep the mask looking new for a long long time. Wearing masks will decay and deteriorate the masks especially if the latex is thin if you dont disinfect after. Its like a bacterial fungus that will eat the latex. it just sucks that so much money is invested in such a risky product that is prone to deteriorating over time.
Yeah shouldn’t be an issue, like I said my one mask I scrubbed and scrubbed with alcohol least 4 times and no issues at this time. Of course overtime maybe but that’s yet to be seen. I just got an Elrod in today and it actually had a pen mark right on the forehead and I used regular rubbing alcohol to clean it off. As far as damage to the latex goes, I don’t see it doing anything, like I mentioned above the only concern would be the paint details if they aren’t mixed with latex or not coverd by a sealer, even then you would have to apply some decent pressure to rub them off. A quick light over with wipes or alcohol should be just fine.
I wouldn’t rub too hard. If it is not sealed correctly it will remove layers of paint.
Yes going to use the non alcohol wipes to deep clean. For mass produced masks you could even wash with soap and water but too risky. Non alcoholic wipes are best bet
I suggest everyopne should do this. You will thank me later.