How To Care For A Lace Face Mask So The Lace Stays In Good Shape

A sleep mask is invaluable in this age of constant light and bent miniblinds that don't fully cover a window. You can get these masks in several styles, including those ringed or covered with lace. The lace is pretty but brings up the question of how to care for the mask so that the lace does not rip or become dingy. Caring for sleep masks is easy, and while the lace requires a little extra care, it's not an inconvenient amount — you'll quickly get into the habit.

Hand Wash It

You must wash your sleep masks at least every few days. No matter how clean your face is when you go to sleep, natural skin oils and dust settle on the mask, eventually leading to odors, fading colors, and stains. For lace masks, use a very gentle soap and carefully clean the lace without scrubbing (you can rub the fabric with your hands, of course, but don't be rough). Don't wring the mask aggressively or crumple the lace. When you want to squeeze out water, squeeze portions of the mask, keeping the lace as flat as possible; for ruffled lace edging, just don't crumple the lace even if you can't make it lie flat.

The mask should air-dry; if you can hang it up, that would work fine if there are no specific manufacturer instructions to lay the item flat. Smooth out the mask as much as possible, and extend lace edging out so that it doesn't dry in a heap smashed against the seam of the mask.

Store It With Space

For spare masks that are clean and dry — it's best to have a few masks and not just one — make sure you store them in a spot where they won't be crushed, and where the lace won't catch on anything as you pull the mask out to use. Store flat if possible, or fold the mask in half down the center between the "eyes."

Use It With Caution

Using the lace sleeping mask itself is simple. You're supposed to sleep with it on, so it's naturally going to rub against your pillowcase and occasionally get pulled around a bit when you turn over. But try to use pillowcases that are smooth and soft so that there is less friction with the mask as it touches the pillowcase. Try not to have too many items on your bed when you sleep (extra pillows and so on) so that nothing catches on the mask's elastic strap.

Your mask should be good to wear for years if you treat it gently and wash it regularly. Don't let the lace make you think the mask requires a lot of complex care — as you can see, all it needs is a little more TLC.