Is it possible to wash a respirator or does it lose its properties?

You can clean and wash the respirator if you first remove the filter and remove the valves. Proper maintenance prolongs the life of the product. If cracks or other signs of wear are found during washing, the respirator must be removed from service immediately, sent for repair or disposed of.

What are respirators?

To protect the lungs from gas, toxic fumes, dust, sand, aerosols, respirators are produced that filter the polluted air.

Models presented in stores are classified by area of ​​use:

• household;
• industrial;
• construction;
• medical;
• military.

Individual protective equipment does not impede breathing and reliably protects the respiratory system from harmful fumes and dust.

The respirator is made of neoprene, cotton or polyester. It has the shape of a half mask, inside of which there is a filtering structure and breathing valves. Air passing through the filter is cleaned of harmful impurities, and a person can breathe without fear of poisoning. In military models, oxygen is supplied from an individual cylinder.

Terms of use

To ensure product safety, check them regularly for cracks. If damage is noticed, contact the manufacturer to replace parts.

Clean the respirator after each use:

1. Remove the filter, valves and other removable parts.
2. Rinse all parts separately from each other.
3. Dry and collect.

Check the plastic and elastic parts for flexibility, see that they are free from scratches and signs of wear. Make sure that there are no soap residues and other foreign particles in the valves, as their presence will damage the seal.

Store your respirator in a special bag that protects it from moisture and direct sunlight. In extreme cold and under the influence of hazardous chemicals, the device may malfunction, therefore exclude this effect.

The life of the respirator depends on the intensity of use and the state of the environment. The exact data can be found in the instructions.

How to wash?

For cleaning, use water with a temperature of 30–40 ° С. Stronger heating is not allowed, as it leads to tissue deformation. Be sure to remove the filter, valves from the respirator, remove the connecting tubes, hoses, cartridges.

Next, proceed as follows:

1. Pour 3 liters of water into the basin, pour in a cap of liquid detergent. Instead, it is allowed to use laundry soap: grate a bar on a grater, measure 1 tbsp. l shavings, dilute in a small amount of liquid and add to the basin.
2. Wet a respirator and leave in solution for 20 minutes.
3. Remember carefully with your palms, eliminating pollution. Do not rub hard so that the product does not lose shape.
4. Rinse 3 times, thoroughly removing soap residue. Do not twist.
5. Hang the mask in a draft, avoiding direct sunlight. Do not dry near a fire or on a battery.
6. When the product is completely dry, fold it into a bag or a special case.

To avoid accumulation of dirt, rinse the respirator under running water after each use. Wash with the addition of “liquid powder” or soap as needed, but at least once a week.

It is not recommended to wash the respirator in the washing machine. Automatic washing causes serious flaws, breaks the seal and leads to deterioration of the product.

Filter cleaning

Dust and other harmful particles accumulate in the filter, so be sure to change it once a month, and with the systematic use of a respirator, even more often.

When washing the mask, the filter also needs to be cleaned:

1. Carefully remove the filter from the fabric and shake it out.
2. Pour into a basin 3 liters of water heated to 35 degrees.
3. Dilute in a liquid 1 tbsp. l no aromatic detergent and foam.
4. Wet the filter, wait 10 minutes and wash without strong friction.
5. Rinse, getting rid of the foam, and dry the item in the shade in the fresh air. Do not place the filter on the battery or other hot objects, so as not to spoil it. Do not dry with a hairdryer.

Insert a dry filter and put it into storage.

If you do not plan to use the mask for a long time, it is recommended to boil water in a bowl and put the filter in there for 2 minutes. The procedure disinfects the product and removes tiny particles of dirt.

Valve cleaning

Remove the valves from the mask, blow with air and rinse with warm soapy water. Wash thoroughly with clean water and make sure that no foam is left inside. Dry the valves completely, sprinkle with talcum powder and reinsert.

A respirator is a personal protective equipment required to work in difficult conditions. In order not to spoil it during cleaning, strictly follow the instructions and follow all the manufacturer's recommendations.