How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask
CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.
DO
- Wear masks to help protect yourself from getting or spreading COVID-19
- Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
DO NOT
- Put masks on someone two years and younger
- Put masks on people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
- Wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators
How to Select
When selecting a mask, there are many choices. Here are some do’s and don’ts.
![do-choose-masks_1 DO choose masks that have 2 or more layers of washable, breathable fabric graphic.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-choose-masks_1-medium.png)
Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
![do-choose-masks-2 DO choose masks that completely cover your nose and mouth;](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-choose-masks-2-medium.png)
Completely cover your nose and mouth
![do-choose-masks-3 DO choose masks that fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-choose-masks-3-medium.png)
Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps.
![do-NOT-choose-masks-1 DO NOT choose masks that are made of fabric that makes it hard to breath, for example, vinyl](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-NOT-choose-masks-1-medium.png)
Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breath, for example, vinyl
![do-NOT-choose-masks-2 DO NOT choose masks that have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-NOT-choose-masks-2-medium.png)
Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape
![do-NOT-choose-masks-3 DO NOT choose masks that are intended for healthcare workers, including N95 respirators or surgical masks](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/do-NOT-choose-masks-3-medium.png)
Are intended for healthcare workers, including N95 respirators or surgical masks
![caution-gaiters graphic of a man wearing a gaiter](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/caution-gaiters-face-shields-1.png)
Wear a gaiter with two layers, or fold it to make two layers
![caution-face-shields graphic of a woman with a face shield](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/caution-gaiters-face-shields-2.png)
Caution: Evaluation is ongoing but effectiveness is unknown at this time
![glasses Graphic of a woman with black framed glasses and red mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/glasses.png)
Glasses
If you wear glasses, find a mask that fits closely over your nose or one that has a nose wire to limit fogging.
![children-1 graphic of girl wearing a pink mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/children-1.png)
If you are able, find a mask that is made for children
![children-2 graphic of a boy wearing a blue mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/children-2.png)
If you can’t find a mask made for children, check to be sure the mask fits snugly over the nose and mouth and under the chin
![children-3 graphic of a girl wearing a blue mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/children-3.png)
Do NOT put on children younger than 2 years old
How to Wear
Wear a mask correctly and consistently to help keep from getting or spreading the virus.
- Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask
- Do NOT touch the mask when wearing it
![Do wear a mask that: Covers your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin; Fits snugly against the sides of your face.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/prevent-getting-sick/do-wear-mask.jpg)
Do wear a mask that
- Covers your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Fits snugly against the sides of your face
For more information, visit our How to Wear Masks web page.
![how-not-wear-mask-1 elderly woman with mask around her neck](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-1.png)
Around your neck
![how-not-wear-mask-2 man with mask on forehead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-2.png)
On Your forehead
![how-not-wear-mask-3 man with mask under nose](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-3.png)
Under your nose
![how-not-wear-mask-4 man with mask on face but without his mouth covered](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-4.png)
Only on your nose
![how-not-wear-mask-5 man with mask on chin](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-5.png)
On your chin
![how-not-wear-mask-6 woman with mask hanging from ear](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-6.png)
Dangling from one ear
![how-not-wear-mask-7 man with mask hanging on arm](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/how-not-wear-mask-7.png)
On your arm
![mask-1.jpg graphic of a man wearing an orange mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/mask-1.jpg.png)
Carefully, untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
![mask-2.jpg graphic of hands holding an orange mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/mask-2.jpg.png)
Handle only by the earloops or ties
![mask-3 graphic of the inside of an orange mask](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/mask-3.png)
Fold the outside corners together
![mask-4 graphic of a person cleaning their hands](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/your-health/masks/mask-4.png)
Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing
![how to clean mask Washer and dryer - dryer has regular laundry including face masks](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201219155207im_/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-clean-mask-medium.jpg)
Masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
- Include your mask with your regular laundry
- Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
- Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry
For more information, visit our How to Wash Masks web page.
For more information, see our Masks web site. For information on the sources for our mask guidance, see Recent Studies.