How to Properly Take Off a Face Mask

Co-authored by United Nations Foundation and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: March 26, 2022 References

A mask that covers your nose and mouth prevents you from sharing tiny droplets with others in proximity when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or talk. These droplets provide a way for many kinds of diseases to spread. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have been recommended in many regions whenever you're in indoor public spaces or if you're at risk of serious illness. Your mask keeps you from spreading your germs to others, and to some degree protects you from others' germs as well. However, any benefit you gain from wearing a mask is lessened if you don't take it off properly. ^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
San Francisco Department of Health
San Francisco's Department of Health website of Disease Control and Prevention
Go to source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Your Face Covering at Home

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1
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. To prevent further contamination, disinfect your hands before you touch your mask or bring your hands close to your face. Either wash them with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. ^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source}
- Make sure your hands are completely dry before you touch your mask. Getting your mask wet could result in you inhaling germs as well as make it harder for you to breathe.
- Choose a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. ^{[3]
 X
 Trustworthy Source
 US Food and Drug Administration
 U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
 Go to source}
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2
Avoid touching the front of your face covering. The front of your mask is contaminated. When you remove it, only touch the part of your face covering that goes around your ears or around the back of your head. ^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source}
- Stop what you're doing and wash your hands immediately if you inadvertently touch the front of your mask.
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3
Hold your mask by the ear loops to gently lift and pull the mask off. Grasp the backs of both ear loops at the same time and pull them back to loosen them, then pull them over your ears. Continue the motion to pull the mask down and away from your face. ^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Don't let the outside of the mask touch your skin or any part of your clothing. Keep the inside of the mask facing towards your body.
4
Untie the bottom bow of a mask with ties. If your mask ties around the back of your head, untie the bottom bow first, then the top. Pull the mask away from you using the ties as the mask is loosened enough for you to pull it away. ^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
San Francisco Department of Health
San Francisco's Department of Health website of Disease Control and Prevention
Go to source}
- If your face mask has bands that go around your head, follow the same order, pulling the bottom band over your head first, followed by the top.
5
Clean or dispose of your mask immediately. If you have a disposable mask, drop it into the trash as soon as you take it off. If there's not a trash can nearby, store it in a paper bag or a closed zippered bag until you have the opportunity to throw it away. Do not throw it on the ground. For cloth face coverings, store them in a bag until you're ready to wash them. ^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- Fold a cloth mask so that the inside is on the outside. That way, you won't risk touching the contaminated outside the mask when you pick it up to wash it.
- If your mask has an insertable filter, remove the filter and throw it away after every use.
6
Disinfect your hands again after removing your mask. After you've thrown your mask away or folded it for washing, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands in soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Even if you didn't touch the front of the mask, you may still have particles on your hands. ^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source}
- If you don't have the opportunity to wash your hands immediately, avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, or eyes, until you've washed your hands.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wearing Your Face Covering Correctly

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1
Clean your hands before putting your mask on. Use soap and warm water for 20 seconds to thoroughly wash your hands. ^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source} If you aren't able to wash your hands, use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect them before touching your mask. ^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}
- Make sure your hands are completely dry before you put on your face covering. Disposable masks are ineffective if they get wet, and you may find it difficult to breathe through a wet cloth face covering.
2
Use the stiff edge at the top to secure the mask over your nose. Some disposable masks have a piece of plastic sewn into the edge of the mask. Others have a metal strip on the outside of the mask. Press this stiff edge firmly around your nose to create a seal. ^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
San Francisco Department of Health
San Francisco's Department of Health website of Disease Control and Prevention
Go to source}
- This is particularly important if you wear glasses, as it will help keep them from fogging up as you exhale.
3
Secure the mask over your nose and mouth. Avoid touching the mask itself as you put it on. Hold the ear loops or straps to put the mask on and adjust it so that it fits over your nose and mouth and hugs your chin. ^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source}
- If your face covering has 2 ties around your head, tie the top one around the crown of your head first. Then, grasp the bottom strings and tie the second bow. ^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  San Francisco Department of Health
  San Francisco's Department of Health website of Disease Control and Prevention
  Go to source}
4
Fit the face covering snugly around the sides of your face. If you have a face covering with ear loops, you may need to adjust them so that the face covering is snug on the sides. It won't be as effective if it hangs loose and open on the sides of your face. ^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- If you're wearing a disposable mask that can't be adjusted, experiment with hair ties to see if you can get a tighter fit.
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5
Keep your face covering over your nose and mouth at all times. You may have seen people pull their face covering down around their neck or lift it over their nose. However, this can allow germs on the outside of your face covering to come in contact with your nose and mouth. ^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Avoid touching or fiddling with your face covering. Adjust it for proper fit when you put it on, then leave it alone.
- If you do happen to touch your mask inadvertently, wash your hands or use an alcohol-based disinfectant as soon as possible.
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6
Rotate masks so that you're always wearing a clean one. If you're using reusable cloth face coverings, you typically need at least 2. If you wear your face covering every day for extended periods of time, it might be wise to invest in 5-7 so you have one for each day of the week. ^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- It's also a good idea to carry a disposable mask in a sealed container in case something happens to your face covering while you're out and about, so you can immediately replace it.
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Tips

If you want to take your mask off in your car, keep a paper bag to store it in until you can dispose of it or wash it at home. ^{[17]
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A reusable cloth mask is typically your best option. Surgical masks and ventilators are critical medical supplies that are in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. ^{[18]
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Store clean masks in a clean, dry place when you're not using them so they won't become contaminated between uses. ^{[19]
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Warnings

Don't touch your eyes, nose, and mouth while removing your face covering. ^{[21]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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Leave your mask in place until you're ready to remove it completely and either wash it or dispose of it. Don't continually pull it up and down. ^{[22]
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If your mask gets wet, remove it immediately. Wearing a wet mask can make it difficult to breathe. ^{[23]
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World Health Organization
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Maintain appropriate social distancing of at least 6 ft (1.8 m) at all times, even while wearing a face covering. ^{[24]
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How to Properly Take Off a Face Mask

Steps

Removing Your Face Covering at Home

Wearing Your Face Covering Correctly

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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