How to clean the gas mask/pro mask?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:39:28 -0400

I got issued a mask the other day...needless to say it's dirty. I don't know who was in it last, idk if I want to. But it needs cleaning and I don't want to destroy it.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 4 at 2016 11:01 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:01:20 -0400

Let's get back to the basics here....starting with the Technical Manual which is typically issued in the mask carrying case.....review it for preventative maintenance, care of and cleaning of your protective mask....if all else fails, as a general rule of thumb, remove the filters and clean with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly....

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 11:04 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:04:51 -0400

remove filter and scrub with warm soapy water and hit with an alcohol prep pad for a final touch.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 11:18 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:18:25 -0400

Is it the M50? I just removed the filters and placed it under the sink. From what I was told you don't care for it the same way as the M40. The manual it comes with is useless.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 4 at 2016 11:29 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:29:29 -0400

Used baby wipes on mine. Helped reduce the depot stink.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 4 at 2016 11:30 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:30:23 -0400

No telling what's growing inside that mask. Probably never cleaned by anyone since it's manufacture. Would also question what the filter has been through by this time and whether it should be replaced. We were never gassed and used the carrying case/pouch as a kind of 'fanny pack' for misc sundries, chow, etc..

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 11:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:30:39 -0400

You should not have been issued a dirty mask. Was it properly fitted? I know I would not have put a dirty mask on my face.

Anyhow, soapy water, clean water rinse, bleach water (1 cupful /gallon of water), then allow to dry. Make sure to sanitize the drinking tube by pushing a canteen full of the solution through it.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Apr 4 at 2016 11:57 AM

CSM Michael Poll — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:57:59 -0400

[login to see] (SL1) - Maintain Your Assigned Protective Mask

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Apr 4 at 2016 1:51 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:51:16 -0400

Get with your CBRN NCO on if there is a unit SOP, but in general, you need to disassemble it, then wash each piece in warm, soapy water, then wipe dry. Do not get the filter wet. No need to use bleach unless it's contaminated..... ;o)

Response by SSG Javier Antonsanti made Apr 4 at 2016 1:57 PM

SSG Javier Antonsanti — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:57:25 -0400

That is a basic soldier task, refer to TM or CBRN NCO. I understand that you being in a NG unit the equipment only comes out once a month, so give it a good cleaning and PMCS, and hopefully they don't switch out your mask by next drill.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 4 at 2016 1:58 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:58:07 -0400

This is what I love to see here on RallyPoint. A good question being answered by some great and knowledgeable people. And while I agree with 1SG Private RallyPoint Member that you should have never been issued a dirty mask, I think we can all agree that more often than not, you are issues your pro mask after it has sat in a dusty room in the basement of the company building which was a supply closet turned CBRN office. But thankfully we have the countless years of knowledge here in this community where SSG Private RallyPoint Member was able to come and ask, getting the answer quickly!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 2:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:44:22 -0400

Warm water and mild soap will get the job done. But side note, do you have one of the old M80/82s, or one of the new ones? Either way, warm water with mild soap will do the trick, but more than that, you can also use Green Soap tincture, which I have noticed keeps your lenses cleaner, and doesn't dry out the rubber nearly as fast.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 4 at 2016 8:16 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:16:16 -0400

You don't remember from basic?

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Apr 4 at 2016 11:14 PM

SGM (R) Antonio Brown — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:14:08 -0400

Use the TM that should be in the carrier, ask your CBRN rep for a TM, or Google the TM/cleaning procedures.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 5 at 2016 9:38 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:38:03 -0400

I would start by returning the Protective Mask back into the NBC room and telling the NCO you will be glad to pick it up and keep it maintained once he issues you a properly maintained mask to begin with. Of course have your NCO with you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 10:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 May 2016 10:54:04 -0400

Here is what you need to do:

Step 1) Tell your CBRN NCO that they do not accept a pro-mask that is dirty, and therefore should not issue a dirty mask. (YOUR CBRN NCO FAILED)

Step 2) Swap your currently issued Pro-Mask for a clean one. Make the CBRN NCO clean the dirty one.

As a 74D, this is unacceptable.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2018 10:24 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:24:42 -0500

The flippin manual wasn't in the carrier? Heck go on-line and look up the TM, which will cover maintenance.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2024 3:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 15:04:27 -0400

I was recently tasked with cleaning all the masks after we came back from the field and went through the gas chamber. What is the proper way to decon these masks. Soap and water? bleach and water? (this is not my MOS, just tasked with the job)