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Mask storage?

ukiltmybrutha

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Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Messages
676
Hey,

Was wondering what you all do to store masks in a dusty garage? If I just throw my paint masks and mowing respirator on hooks they end up with a ton of pollen/dust on them and I highly allergic to pollen/dust/grass.

Thanks for any ideas.
 
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unslow1

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Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
7,880
Location
Illinois
I use Ziploc bags or roll them up in regular plastic bags. The one I use for mowing I let hang in the garage for a couple of days then into a plastic grocery store bag and roll it up.
 

bb29510

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Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
1,216
i have that problem too, be grinding and then see my new stack of mask full of grit. on my welding helmet i had to get a dollar general small tub and paint it black to keep my battery fresh, I guess I need another for my mask supply
 

PelicanPines

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Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Messages
38,112
Location
New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
I store them two ways. The masks with a clear shield... I "borrowed" a few spare pillow cases from the linen closet. My "dust masks" are stored in JUMBO ziplock bags... they are the size UP from a gallon... I believe they are 2.5 gallons in size.

Oh ... and my respirator is stored in a "Backpack" I got at Walmart on sale... I believe it's a Spiderman Backpack. It's nice because the backpack has room to store spare cartridges. I also put the respirator in a pillowcase for extra protection.

My hearing protectors ... same thing... Pillow case.

My 1911 colt... same thing... Pillow case... (forget that one)
 

goldtang

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Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
474
Location
Western Australia
face Mask came in it’s own plastic container , paper masks just stay in the cardboard box in a cupboard and I scored a plastic tool box that a hitachi power tool kit came in for my welding helmet
 

Kuma601

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Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Messages
960
Location
Cali
Plastic Ziplock type bag for the respirators. I like the idea of a hard plastic storage container with a flip type lid. I tend to wash the mask every other session because now that it is getting warm I sweat, in the winter it was condensation. Then dried off then re-assembled or replace parts as necessary. The ear muffs have a hanging hook.
 

ecotec

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Joined
Oct 5, 2010
Messages
5,445
I put my respirator in a gallon Ziplock bag and I put my dust masks in a box that seals.
 

bb29510

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Dec 27, 2022
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1,216
ziplock woud not work in my shop, with welding and grinding, i have burn holes in the ziplocks if they are on the bench
 

Jgaz

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Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
1,662
Location
AZ
The mask in use is stored in a heavy zip lock bag and hung on the pegboard above my bench.

The unused masks are stored in a coffee can (remember those). Keeps them clean, protected, and smelling like coffee when you take out a fresh one.
 

bad_idea

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Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4,332
Location
Pasquotank, NC
I have a cabinet in the weld shop area of my building. The cabinet has all of my PPE in it - weld shield, respirators, gloves, glasses, box of ear plugs, etc. I use the dollar store plastic shoe totes for each respirator. The gloves and glasses are hung on hooks on the inside of the doors. Works a treat, and keeps it all in one spot.
 

Cc_windsurfer

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Joined
May 1, 2015
Messages
259
Location
SB, ca
I have a tupperware i store my resperator in. Needs to be sealed up to preserve the life of the carbon filters. Remember to let it dry before sealing or you might start a mold colony.
 

johninct

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Joined
Dec 21, 2010
Messages
2,596
Paint resperators must be stored in an air tight container . They also have a time of usage amount, when reached must be discarded (use shelf life). I also would not reuse a mask that has been sitting in a plastic bag for who knows how long to paint a car.
 
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KenC

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Dec 20, 2009
Messages
2,579
Zip Lock bags. And then in my shop fridge. Most dust free space in my shop.
 

mike93lx

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Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,551
Location
Richmond, VA
The insides of my masks are always wet after I use them. I do try to wipe them out, but getting everything is tough.

I have a metal cabinet that I store them in along with lots of ear and eye protection
 

Kuma601

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Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Messages
960
Location
Cali
Be careful about putting moist masks in ziplock bags. You don’t want mildew/mold growing on your mask in a sealed, moist environment.

^ This. During winter I removed the carts and left the mask out to air dry. In cool months that wasn't enough so the beginnings could be seen on the exhale valve vent. Now I thoroughly clean the contact area after each use. The main body and removal of the valves every other session. They get washed in a dish detergent or a 70% isopropyl alcohol. My mask usage is about 4 hours/day.
 

RJMadigan

Active member
Joined
Nov 2, 2021
Messages
43
Plastic Folgers coffee cans. Respirator fits in it nicely and keeps it clean when stored. I even keep replacement filters in the bottom of it. Learned it from an old timer back when coffee still came in metal cans.
 

mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,551
Location
Richmond, VA
Plastic Folgers coffee cans. Respirator fits in it nicely and keeps it clean when stored. I even keep replacement filters in the bottom of it. Learned it from an old timer back when coffee still came in metal cans.
I use those cans around my garage, but the coffee smell never seems to go away. Do you have something that works for it?

I love coffee but don't want my masks smelling like it
 

RJMadigan

Active member
Joined
Nov 2, 2021
Messages
43
I use those cans around my garage, but the coffee smell never seems to go away. Do you have something that works for it?

I love coffee but don't want my masks smelling like it
i run them through the dishwasher and that seems to be enough. and, i don't mind the smell of coffee!
 

Monza Harry

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Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,433
Location
Windsor ON
I am always looking for storage solutions for my "****". I constantly scan the food containers @ the dollar store (up to $5 now), I also keep take out food containers which offer some interesting possibilities (price is good too if you don't count the contents. I also keep a mental inventory of storage bins everywhere. Welding helmet at work accepted delivery of its own filing cabinet, keeps it clean and most importantly "mine"! Harry
 

MerlinsBeard

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Joined
Mar 27, 2020
Messages
398
Location
MD
I'm a fan of using clear plastic bulk food storage containers, properly cleaned. I'm a huge fan of the Utz food plastic containers, my favorite containers are the Utz pretzel bites and the Utz barrel containers, they just have a little extra style. I will go so far as to remove the label, cleanup any external glue residue, and even use an X-acto knife to remove that stubborn metal film along the top that you can never really adequately peel off by hand. Then it gets a wash and dry and tada, cheap re-usable instant storage and a little less plastic waste.

For bigger items, I'd spring for rubbermaid roughneck totes and work out how to fit your materials in totes of appropriate sizes.
 
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