How to Remove the Rubber Smell from a Mask

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 19, 2021 References Tested

If you purchased a brand new rubber or latex mask, such as a Halloween mask, you will probably notice a strong rubber smell when you try it on. This odor can make it unpleasant to wear your new mask. Luckily, you can get rid of the rubber smell with a few common household supplies. It’s a good idea to clean any new latex mask anyways to get rid of any residues from the factory where it was manufactured. Choose a method based on what you have handy or try both of them for stubborn rubber smells. Soon enough, you’ll have a clean, odor-free mask that is much more enjoyable to wear!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Washing Masks with Soap and Vinegar

1
Submerge your mask in a container of water if it doesn’t have hair or fur. Place your mask into a container that is large enough to hold it and enough water to submerge it completely. Fill the container with just enough cool or warm water to cover the mask completely.^{[1]
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- This applies to masks that are made out of latex or rubber.
- If your mask has hair or fur attached, you can wipe the latex or rubber parts of the mask clean with a damp, soapy cloth instead of submerging it to avoid soaking the non-rubber materials.
2
Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the water. Hold a bottle of liquid dish detergent upside down over the container. Squeeze soap out of the bottle into the water until you add a few drops.^{[2]
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- There is no exact measurement for the amount of soap to add. The goal is just to get the water nice and soapy.
- If you’re cleaning your mask with a cloth instead because it has hair or other materials on it, just get the cloth fully wet and squeeze 3-4 drops of dish detergent onto the cloth.
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3
Scrub the soapy water all over the mask with a clean brush or sponge. Submerge the brush or sponge in the water with the mask and stir up the mixture until it starts to get sudsy. Rub the soapy water all over the mask on both sides using your brush or the sponge.^{[3]
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- You can use any kind of cleaning brush for this. For example, a dish scrubbing brush or even an old toothbrush would work well. If your mask has delicate paint on it, it’s probably best to use a sponge to avoid scraping any of the paint off.
- If you’re using a soapy cloth to clean your mask, just scrub it all over both sides of the mask.
4
Mix about 1 cup (236.5 mL) of apple cider vinegar into the water. Open up a bottle of apple cider vinegar and pour it into the mixture until you think you’ve added about 1 cup (236.5 mL) of vinegar. Agitate the water with your hands or your brush to mix the vinegar in.^{[4]
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- You don’t have to be exact with the measurements here. You won’t hurt the mask by pouring in too much vinegar.
- If you’re cleaning your mask with a cloth instead, just pour the vinegar onto the cloth and wipe the mask all over again on both sides.
5
Let the mask soak for 30-45 minutes. Leave the mask to sit in the mixture for 30-45 minutes. This will give the soap and vinegar time to work and remove the rubber smell.^{[5]
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6
Remove the mask and rinse it off thoroughly with running water. Take the mask out of the mixture when the soaking time is up. Rinse it off under a faucet with cool or warm running water to get rid of the soap and vinegar solution.^{[6]
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- Make sure to rinse the mask very well. If you don’t, the soap and vinegar solution can dry on it and leave soapy residue or a vinegar smell on the mask.
- If your mask has hair or other materials on it, be careful not to get these parts wet. Alternatively, you can use a clean cloth soaked in nothing but plain water to wipe off the soap and vinegar.
7
Pat the mask dry with a clean, dry towel and let it air dry. Grab a clean, dry towel and blot as much water off the mask as possible. Set the mask in a dry, well-ventilated area and let it finish air drying.^{[7]
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- If you’re not going to use your mask right away, you can sprinkle some corn starch onto the inside of the mask before you put it away. This will keep it from sticking to itself in storage.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Deodorizing a Mask with Baking Soda

1
Mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste. Pour some baking soda into a cup, bowl, or other container of some kind. Add an equal amount of water and stir it in with a spoon until the mixture turns into a paste.^{[8]
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- If the mixture is too dry, add a little more water until you get the right consistency. If it is too wet, mix in a bit more baking soda.
2
Coat the inside of the mask with the paste. Scoop the baking soda and water paste onto the inside of the mask with your hands. Rub it all over the inside of the mask in an even coat.^{[9]
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- If possible, turn your mask inside out to make this easier.
- This method will work for any kind of rubber or latex mask. If your mask has hair or fur, you only need to apply the baking soda paste to the rubber or latex parts of the mask.
3
Rub 1-2 drops of liquid dish detergent into the paste inside the mask. Squeeze 1-2 drops of dish detergent into the mask. Use your fingers to rub it around and mix it in with the baking soda paste.^{[10]
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- You can add more detergent if 1-2 drops doesn’t seem like enough to get the job done.
- The soap will help deodorize and sterilize the inside of the mask.
4
Let the mask sit undisturbed for 15-30 minutes. Place the mask on a clean, dry surface. This will give the cleaning paste time to work and deodorize the mask.^{[11]
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- You can leave it longer if your mask is super stinky. It won’t hurt the mask.
5
Rinse the paste off the mask completely. Rinse the mask thoroughly under cool or warm running water. Keep rinsing it until you remove all traces of the baking soda paste.^{[12]
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- If you can still smell rubber at this point, you can start over and repeat the whole process.
6
Set the mask in a dry, well-ventilated area to dry. Place the mask somewhere out of the way and let it air dry. Wear it or store it after it’s completely dry.^{[13]
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- You can set the mask on an improvised stand like a jar of some kind to help it sit upright and get good airflow.

Warnings

Don’t soak your mask if it has hair, fur, or other non-latex materials. This can damage the materials and ruin the appearance of your mask.

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