Oh, masks! There has been so much talk about them in recent months and so much confusing information we have received . We confess that we ourselves got confused at the beginning and had to do some research to offer you safe products that at the same time did not put more environmental pressure on the planet.

Today we want to give you 4 reasons why you should use reusable hygienic masks. In reality, these reasons are an excuse. Our intention is to make a very complete post about the use of masks in order to resolve all the doubts that exist about it once and for all and you can refer back to it whenever you need to.

Let's go with the 4 reasons to use reusable hygienic masks :

1. They are safe

Yes, they are safe , or at least the ones that are made correctly are. To ensure this, they must be made according to the specifications of the UNE 0065/2020 regulation , which establishes the minimum criteria for considering hygienic and reusable masks as safe for users.

Before continuing, let's clarify some concepts regarding the types of masks that exist .

• Self-filtering masks or PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

They are known as FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

Those that do not contain a valve provide protection from the inside out and from the outside in . In other words, they protect the user from possible infection and also protect those who interact with the user. Those that contain a valve protect the user but not those who interact with them.

These masks are the ones that should be used by healthcare personnel who care for infected or suspected infected people , as well as their caregivers .

They are not reusable.

• Surgical masks

These are medical devices and are the ones we see most often used by professionals and the general public. The Government has regulated their price and they can be easily found in pharmacies and supermarkets.

They offer protection from the inside out . That is, they protect anyone who interacts with the user from possible infections.

They are recommended for use by healthcare personnel (who may be infected without knowing it) and those who are infected or suspected of being infected.

They are not reusable.

• Hygienic masks

They should be understood as a complement to social distancing measures and proper hand hygiene .

They offer protection from the inside out . That is, they protect anyone who interacts with the user from possible infections.

They are recommended for use outside of healthcare settings by healthy people who are not suspected of being infected . Why is this? Because, generally, their filtering capacity is somewhat lower than surgical masks. But this is not always the case. A hygienic mask, when first used, could have a greater filtering capacity than a surgical mask. With washing, it gradually loses very small percentages of this capacity.

They are the only type of masks that can be reused . Each manufacturer, if subject to the UNE 0065/2020 regulations , must indicate how long the mask must be used, when it must be disposed of and how it must be washed.

There are hand-made hygienic masks that are not made under these regulations, which does not mean that they are not effective. We simply cannot be sure of this. They could be as effective as those manufactured under these standards, but we cannot know this because they have not been made in compliance with technical controls or passed laboratory tests.

The hygienic masks that we sell at Alma Eko are manufactured under the UNE 0065/2020 regulations . It has a initial filtration efficiency of 98.91% (higher than the minimum required for surgical masks in the UNE-EN 14683:2019+AC:2019 regulations) , which can be reduced to 90.39% after 5 washes at 60*C, as established in the laboratory report .

Let's summarize in the following table everything we have said so far to make it clearer:

* Except those with a valve

** Depends on the manufacturer

In reality, it would be worth going into much more detail and nuance, but we believe that it is not necessary and that including more information here could be confusing, when in fact we intend to do the opposite: clarify concepts. In any case, if you have any doubts, you can ask us and also consult this guide on masks prepared by the Ministry of Consumption.

2. They take care of the environment

You have already seen that the only masks that can be reused are hygienic ones, and they should be used by the majority of the population . Surgical masks and PPE should be used by healthcare personnel, caregivers, and people who are infected or suspected of being infected. In addition, these two types of masks, which are disposable , are made from petroleum derivatives and are not recyclable . We already know what that means: enormous environmental pressure both in manufacturing, as well as in distribution and management of the waste generated.

Can you imagine the amount of waste and polluting gases we would save the planet if all healthy people used reusable hygienic masks?

3. They are better for your economy

Using reusable masks saves money for your pocket . It makes sense, right? They are a bigger investment at first, but in the long run, they last much longer.

Let's do the math:

• Surgical masks have a maximum controlled price of €0.96.
• Reusable masks come in many different prices. The ones we have at Alma Eko cost €12.90.
• For the price of a mask at Alma Eko, we can buy 13 hygienic masks. But how many times can our mask be used? Many more. It will depend on the use you give it and how you wash it, but the manufacturer does not recommend throwing it away until you find some damage to it. We have been using them since May, we assure you that they have far exceeded 50 uses and are still in perfect condition.

And a thought: even if you could only use it 13 times, don't you think the environment would thank you?

4. They benefit your health

We have already told you that surgical and self-filtering masks contain petroleum derivatives in their composition. This, together with the humidity generated in the area, creates a great breeding ground for bacteria that can affect our mucous membranes and skin.

Especially in those with sensitive skin, it has been seen that they easily produce irritations and even wounds with the harder metal parts.

Many of the reusable masks , and certainly those we sell at Alma Eko, are made from materials that are more respectful of our skin. Specifically, those from the Verdonce brand, which are the ones we sell, are handmade with Lyocell , a natural and sustainable fabric made from cellulose.

Do you agree with all we've told you? Switch to reusable masks! Do it safely and improve your health, the planet's health and your wallet's health. There are no excuses!