Clean & Maintain Your Respirator 

Always blows my mind when I see people doing various trades without using masks. Any particulate matter can be severely damaging over time. Glad you are encouraging people to be safe.

@Buttered Lumps blue dawn (original) is always the best for cleaning ppe.

Can you tell me how to determine the correct size respirator to use

what if the mask is used for stone engraving? can i just clean it with wather and use soap once in a while or do i have to use soap everytime?

+Brian Bain oh man!! That’s brutal!

Yeah, not a lot of fun for sure.

+KL7EN mentioned it in my article on my site.

KL7EN , and separate the filters from the mask.

I store mine in a coffee can.

Thats how I store mine as well after giving it a few hours for the moisture to evaporate.

I seem to be allergic to those 3M cleaning wipes. Even after rinsing it away with water whatever chemical is used in those seems to irritate my nose and throat. Then again I'm sensitive to everything.

Yeah I still use paper disposables, just haven't had the money to buy better ones yet, but they beat nothing at all I guess -_-

Excellent tip just remember to make sure its completely dry before storing and a quick alcohol wipe before the bagging helps kill any bacterial growth.👍

If you have a good seal and you’re using good particulate filters you should be good to go. I know it’s kinda gross but are you actually getting dust boogers in your nose? If using something like walnut, are you finding dark wood colored stuff coming out when you blow your nose? If not, I would again think you’re breathing clean air. Another simple test is smell. Do you actually smell the wood when you’re sanding or cutting? If not, chances are you’re good. There is also the possibility of having a mild allergic reaction….but I’m no doctor. 🤓 Hope that helps.

+Willmore's World Of Wood just water

The Wood Whisperer ok, thought it may have been, thanks

I do prefer the 6500. Just as comfortable as the 7500.

No doubt you don't need to worry as much as someone like me. But there will definitely be dust in the air and how much is something that would need to be measured. I actually have a little particle meter that tells me pretty quickly when I'm putting stuff in the air. Might be worth the investment to find out. That said, most hand tool woodworkers do not worry about breathing protection while working.

I wear a Large.

The Wood Whisperer Really? Thank you! Glad you wrote back so quickly. I was about to place my order for a medium!! Thanks again, Marc!

The only time I felt I needed something other than the black cartridge was when I was doing ammonia fuming. For 99% of woodworkers out there, an organic filter and a particulate filter will be all you'll need.

That's what I wanted to hear: a clear answer. Thank you.

Depending on size they could be "down" cycled lol

Ha!

I am naturally hesitant to believe manufacturers' recommendations on consumable products. Especially with a safety product, I'm guessing they're covering their butts for worst case scenarios.

Or they want you to buy more of their stuff. "Lather, rinse, repeat" came about because people didn't buy shampoo fast enough.

The Wood Whisperer that’s a very good point, I’m sure they are overly cautious. Thanks for another video, it’s because of your respirator video years ago that I wear one pretty the entire time I’m in the shop.

Never used it before. But it's probably more comfortable for long-term use as well as being appropriate for guys with beards.

Fyi vinegar doesnt kill viruses. It does not destroy the envelope of the virus.

According to 3M's cleaning advice, remove filters/cardridges, clean the mask with water not exceeding 49°C or 120°F, optionally with some mild detergent (not containing lanolin or any other oils), most dishwashing soap contain some oils (like parfums and stuff to make it easier to the hands), so be wary of that, after properly cleaning the mask and making sure All dirt and detergent are rinsed away (otherwise disinfection may not work), disinfect using a solution of quaternary ammonium disinfectant or sodium hypochlorite (Is very common in bleach at around 6%) for at least 1 or 2 minutes by spraying or bathing, afterward rinse througly with warm water, again not exceeding 50°C or 120°F, then leave it to dry in a Clean area. To get a good disinfection solution, 3M recommends concentrations of 5000PPM, which can be gotten by taking bleach containing 6% sodium hypoclorite and water at a 1:10 ratio, or otherwise 250ml bleach and 2350ml water bath solution, or 30ml bleach and 270ml water, to spray on the mask. Note though, 5000PPM concentration is very dangerous, as it can cause serious respiratory health problems, even more in a not well ventilated room, so be very very very careful, i recommend wearing a gasmask with chlorine filter (P3 or N99 are particulate filters and will do no good). Also note that you must never mix bleach with other chemicals, otherwise toxic gasses might be created. Also bleach is corrosive to your skin and eyes, face, lungs and your everything so wear protection. Also note some budget bleach may have a lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite or none at all. References: multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/735976O/disinfection-with-bleach-tech-talk.pdf multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1793959O/cleaning-and-disinfecting-3m-reusable-respirators-following-potential-exposure-to-coronaviruses.pdf Becareful of using alcohol (for example isopropyl at 70%) as it degrade the mask until it won't properly seal, after which the mask becomes too risky to use. One wipe of 70% isopropyl won't do a lot of harm, but many wipes over time might. If you must, make sure the surface is clean, because dirt will weaken alcohol effectiveness, and have a contact time of at least 1 minute, that is if you are using it to actually kill viruses instead of just a quick wipe, just to feel happy. The outside plastic casing of cardridge filters can be cleaned with 70% isopropyl, just make sure it does not get on the filter inside, or you'l ruin it. About the vinegar, yes that stuff won't help you much, however it's excellent for cleaning the dishes or surfaces (combined with hot water and soap), though vinegar can ruin specific materials and surfaces (so read up), vinegar is a disinfectant and can kill Some germs and viruses, however it is not a virucide and Will Not work for killing SARS-CoV-2. For a list of disinfectants recommended by EPA, refer here: www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 Remember to follow disinfection instructions, otherwise disinfection might not be effective and you out yourself at risk from false sense of safety. Btw, 3M has a training video detailing how to use 7500 masks: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mlWyMPFwEI8.html When storing the clean mask, you may use the clean zip lock that came with the mask, but otherwise i recommend a clean paper bag, as plastic traps air and water and may create a environment that helps bacterial growth compared to breathable paper, but try not reuse the paper bags. ...i was bored, hope i helped you :).

+JronmanBuilds probably the best solution out there if u don’t mind wearing it.

Do you know if they are more comfortable than something like what you have? I find after extended use the ones I have used will cause nose soreness. I have used 3m style in the 2 you have and currently own an RZ mask and all 3 kinds caused nose soreness.

+JronmanBuilds never used one. But if there’s nothing on the bridge of tour nose I’d have to imagine it’s a lot more comfortable.

Yeah I have the 7500 series and a 6000 series full face mask. Too bad during the pandemic I can't also get one of the powered ones.

+Patrick W no. Soap and water work just fine. I see no reason to use harsh chemicals.

@@woodwhisperer Thanks for that clarification. I was also told that diluted bleach should be used, but I definitely don't want to ruin the materials used in the mask. I made the mistake of using really hot water once and it seemed to immediately degrade the rubber.

+Joe G.P. Yes they are much better at sealing

I'm sure you know now. But the 3m 7500 respirator has a downward exhaust. Exhaling won't fog your glasses. Wood whisperer mentioned it in a video like 10 years ago. But I seen it like two days ago.

Filters should be replaced, not cleaned.

Thanks