How to Sanitize Your African Print Fabric Mask
As masks continue to be integrated into our lives, a wide variety of options have materialized to reflect the wearers’ styles themselves. You got your genuine African print fabric mask, but there is just one little problem.
How do you properly sanitize your unique African print fabric masks without ruining it?
The fear of accidentally ruining your mask is understandable when current sanitization tips for masks can conflict with African print fabric care.
It can be a confusing process, but luckily for you, our team has created a quick guide for your African print fabric cloth mask.
The Rise of African Print Fabrics in Fashion
The new normal we live in today includes the increased use of cloth face masks in professional and retail, depending on where you live and the mandates in place.
With the introduction of these new rules and regulations, fashionistas have embraced cloth face masks, turning them into fashion trends and ways to express individuality. They have also been tied with social movements or entertainment figures.
African print fabric has been trending in the fashion industry, so it is no surprise that there has been a demand for masks made of this precious material to add a cultural flair to the masks being worn in light of the 2020 pandemic.
African prints and textiles have been on the rise because of their bold and rich use of bright colors and their meaningful and intricate patterns. These prints are not only design but also a way of connecting some of us to our cultural heritage and history.
Sanitizing Your African Print Fabric Mask
Like any reusable cloth face mask, proper sanitation is key to maintaining its effectiveness. Unlike other cloth masks that can be thrown into the washer, African prints and fabrics need special care since their dyes are delicate.
To preserve the colors’ vibrancy and ensure your African print fabric cloth mask’s longevity, and kill any virus lingering on it, follow these simple steps.
1. Hand Washing vs. Machine Washing
When in doubt, always opt for handwashing your cloth face mask.
You might be skeptical about the effectiveness of handwashing, but with detergent or even hand soap, you can kill off any viruses that might be found on your African print fabric cloth face mask.
When it comes to your AKN face mask, we suggest using mild detergent and cold or lukewarm water. If you prefer your washing machine, use cold water and the gentle setting without going through the spin cycle.
2. Can I Wash My Mask With Bleach?
Bleach on your face mask is a big no, even if it has been diluted substantially. Why should you avoid this common disinfectant?
Bleach or any other harsh chemical solution is dangerous when inhaled and could cause health problems.
3. Drying Your Mask
Drying your mask on a high heat setting is an effective way to sanitize your reusable face mask, yet that process could lead to color damage. An alternative drying option is to hang or line-dry your African print fabric mask, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight to reduce potential color damage. Wringing your mask can also result in potential color damage, so you should avoid it.
4. Stains, Stains, Stains!
Stains are almost unavoidable. If you do end up with a stain on your mask, fear not. The general rule for washing African print fabrics is to be gentle.
A gentle alternative to removing stains in your mask would be baking soda, which can carefully remove the stain without damaging your African print fabric mask’s colors.
5. Always Have a Backup
When you shop, it can be tempting to get more than one of your favorite shirts. In the same way, you should always have at least two cloth masks. That can allow you to wash one mask and still have one available, if necessary. You do not want to be left with just dirty masks. Since masks can be coordinated to your outfits, it can be easy to have multiple mask options available. Never wear the same mask over multiple days, but change your mask daily and ensure they are cleaned and sanitized before being worn again.
6. Can I Microwave My Face Mask?
We strongly recommend against microwaving your AKN face mask or any cloth face mask in general. You may run the risk of burning your face mask, or worse, starting a fire.
History of African Print Fabrics
Now that you have your mask made out of African print fabric, it helps to know a little about the history of the fabric used. Knowing a few facts on African textiles will give you bonus culture points as people compliment you on your stylish accessory.
With various bold and colorful African-inspired designs, African prints and textiles are made out of 100% cotton. In Africa, this fabric is used for fashion and household items, such as dresses, bedding, pillows, and more.
Batik is the process of producing African print fabrics. This process is a traditional Indonesian technique that uses wax-resistant dyeing to produce this fantastic fabric.
The Dutch tried to replicate this handmade process by creating machines to produce similar fabrics, but the results turned out to be of lesser quality than handmade Batik.
Although the imitation Batik fabrics were not well received in Indonesia, they became popular in West Africa when imported in the 1880s. How did they get to Africa from Indonesia?
African soldiers serving in Indonesia came home and brought those imperfect fabrics back to West Africa. Trunks of these Batik fabrics. With their opulent patterns, these fabrics quickly became an impressive and popular option for these soldiers’ families and friends.
Now you have a fascinating tale to share about this fabric’s origins when people ask about your African print fabric masks. Yet, as these fabrics became entrenched into the African culture, their designs began to reflect local art and traditional tribal patterns. Thus, they reflected the rich cultural history of these tribes, particularly with significant colors and symbols. Your social status, tribe, and your romantic status could all be determined by the designs upon your African print fabric.
African Print Fabrics Today
Today, the fashion world embraces African print fabrics, even amid a global pandemic, by creating trendy fashion masks.
These fashionable masks provide a way to show cultural pride while following the mask mandates in your area.
We have a great selection of designs to choose from, and we also have a great selection of African fabrics and textiles if you decide to DIY your face mask.
We hope you found this quick guide to sanitizing your AKN face masks helpful.
Let us know if you have any questions about our AKN face masks or fabrics by leaving a comment below or visiting our contact page.
AKN Fabrics is recognized worldwide for selling the highest quality African fabrics and textiles at low prices. With new designs arriving daily, we always have a great selection of African fabrics and textiles to choose from.