Mask Washing?

[FoilFencer2001]

Does anyone around here wash their mask now and then? Is there an accepted method for doing so?

For a long time, I was surprised my mask didn't start to smell funny, considering how the inner padding and bib gets soaked every week. But after a year of use, it has become pretty musty.

Tonight, I filled the sink with cool water, added a few capfulls of Woolite and hand-washed my mask. It's drying on a towel now.

Sound logical?

[damianip]

[quote]Originally posted by FoilFencer2001:
<strong>Does anyone around here wash their mask now and then? Is there an accepted method for doing so?

For a long time, I was surprised my mask didn't start to smell funny, considering how the inner padding and bib gets soaked every week. But after a year of use, it has become pretty musty.

Tonight, I filled the sink with cool water, added a few capfulls of Woolite and hand-washed my mask. It's drying on a towel now.

Sound logical?</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's how I do it.

Paolo

[achilleus]

[quote]Originally posted by FoilFencer2001:
<strong>Does anyone around here wash their mask now and then? Is there an accepted method for doing so?

For a long time, I was surprised my mask didn't start to smell funny, considering how the inner padding and bib gets soaked every week. But after a year of use, it has become pretty musty.

Tonight, I filled the sink with cool water, added a few capfulls of Woolite and hand-washed my mask. It's drying on a towel now.

Sound logical?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Dishwasher.

Works great.

[Zelda]

Woolite works, though I tend to use Amway LOC, lemon, a scrubbing brush and the shower.

[D'Artagnan1673]

PM Purple Fencer. He's got a page that tells the USFA's recommended way to wash your mask.

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>PM Purple Fencer. He's got a page that tells the USFA's recommended way to wash your mask.</strong><hr></blockquote>

No need to PM....just go to homfencing.com and scroll down the first page...thata's a link to the washing instructions there.

[frogsinmyhair]

A trick thats used a lot in (atleast college) theatre costume shops. Some things can't be washed, nor dry cleaned. When they start getting a wee bit overpowering, mix one part vodka with one part water. Just use a spray bottle to spray it on and it'll kill the smell. Febreeze smells like chemical flowers, and doesn't work half as well.

I assume you could use straight vodka instead. The stuff is awfully cheap.

happy spritzin'
-Erik

[fred]

The only place I spray vodka is down my throat, preferably with a little vermouth. I'd love to see this procedure in an Absolut ad (Absolut Stinks) though.

Wouldn't rubbing alcohol be just as good? Or is this "equipment disinfecting" the cover story for the property managers' party stash ;-)

[frogsinmyhair]

Rubbing Alcohol takes a long time to air out since it has such a strong odor. Vodka has little, and looses it very quickly.

It also isn't particularly toxic to breath in like too much rubbing alcohol can be. And the $10/gallon stuff we used in costuming is only good for cleaning and disenfecting wounds. It doesn't go down or stay down too well so I'm told.

-Erik

[simonc]

[quote]Originally posted by achilleus:
<strong>

Dishwasher.

Works great.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm intrigued. Do you use dishwasher detergent? Do you allow the full drying cycle to complete?

NB: some cheap masks (esp Leon Pauls) have cardboard inserts in the retaining bar, which would probably not survive the dishwasher.

-simonc.

[achilleus]

[quote]Originally posted by simonc:
<strong>

I'm intrigued. Do you use dishwasher detergent? Do you allow the full drying cycle to complete?

NB: some cheap masks (esp Leon Pauls) have cardboard inserts in the retaining bar, which would probably not survive the dishwasher.

-simonc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

My Uhlmann FIE Mask has survived over the years with repeated washing in my dishwasher. Must be at least 3 years old of 3-5 days a week of use.

I use a little dishwashing detergent, and air dry.