I read about this option. The potential problem that I see is that coating the mask with salt or another substance, especially if part of a DIY project, is likely to leave you with a mask that is unusable since you have no way to control salt crystal size, nucleation points, etc.
The crystals will inevitably grow on the treated surface and block the filter media so that you start with an N95 rated mask and end up with an N99 or higher rated mask that can only be used for a few minutes before it leaves the user gasping for breath. Preserving the filter ability should be the goal in the sterilization process. I don't see a way to accomplish that without specialized equipment that allows the user to limit crystal size and nucleation sites.
That is why microwaving or UV sterilization seem the most viable to me. UV sterilizers require the user to follow specific guidelines to avoid health negative consequences and it seems unlikely that everyone could or would take steps to protect themselves from the UV damage.
Microwaves are nearly ubiquitous, though I personally don't own one and haven't since I had my wife get rid of ours once our son was done with bottle feeding. People know how to follow directions for using microwaves. It just seems easier to me to accomplish the objective with something that is a common or easily obtained household item that people are already familiar with.
I read the same thing. Glad to see others investigating their options.
I'm not sure a DIYer could accomplish this without compromising the filter media unless there were kits available or a crystal clear guide for the task.
I realize that you can just wash the mask to remove the salt and surfactant and in the process any pathogens will be killed by the salt and soap. However, if you have to wait on this to dry between uses since the washing will fill some percentage of the pore spaces with water then you haven't accomplished as much as you could have if you had simply microwaved the mask in a boil-in bag allowing the steam to do the same work. As a bonus, people already know how to use microwaves and most have them at home.
I'm not trying to say that salt and surfactant doesn't work, only to say that this is better accomplished in a controlled environment with equipment that can insure that crystal size is controlled and filter media is relatively unaffected.
The crystals will inevitably grow on the treated surface and block the filter media so that you start with an N95 rated mask and end up with an N99 or higher rated mask that can only be used for a few minutes before it leaves the user gasping for breath. Preserving the filter ability should be the goal in the sterilization process. I don't see a way to accomplish that without specialized equipment that allows the user to limit crystal size and nucleation sites.
That is why microwaving or UV sterilization seem the most viable to me. UV sterilizers require the user to follow specific guidelines to avoid health negative consequences and it seems unlikely that everyone could or would take steps to protect themselves from the UV damage.
Microwaves are nearly ubiquitous, though I personally don't own one and haven't since I had my wife get rid of ours once our son was done with bottle feeding. People know how to follow directions for using microwaves. It just seems easier to me to accomplish the objective with something that is a common or easily obtained household item that people are already familiar with.