Cleaning Instructions for Cloth Face Coverings April 23, 2020 Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly? Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering? A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering. How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering? Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.