Is the elastic boil-proof?

Hi everyone,

I’d like to keep sewing makeshift masks, but unfortunately I’ve run out of my boil-safe elastic.
Now I’ve found 3 rolls of 5-meter elastic from TEDi, but there are no care instructions on the packaging.

The product name is “Elastic Band 5m,” and on the back it says

60% polyester, 40% latex fiber, Made in China

Do you happen to know if I can use this for makeshift masks that I always boil or machine-wash to clean?

Thanks in advance, and stay healthy,
Christian

Why don’t you throw a piece in with your next hot wash? Then you’ll know if it can handle the heat—that’s what I always do when I’m not sure.

Thank you very much for your reply.
I’m just not sure whether “boil-safe” refers only to the technical properties (elasticity) or whether it might cause more microplastics, etc. to be released, since the elastic does contain polyester, which is a plastic.
I know a little bit of microplastic is always released, but especially with masks that you’re supposed to breathe through, I’m a bit cautious about that...

Best regards,
Christian

These microplastics will be released either way. If anything, you’d have to put ties on your masks; you can make them yourself from bias-cut strips. Then you’ll be on the safe side when it comes to the microplastic stuff, because no matter what kind of elastic you use, it contains that stuff.

Yeah, I know that—I was just wondering if, since it’s not designed for boiling, it might come apart much more easily…
Unfortunately, the ties tend to slip quickly when I move, or they don’t stay securely against my cheeks during certain movements—the elastic band is much more flexible in that regard... but I’ll try boiling a piece in a pot (I just boil the masks anyway, since I don’t do a separate load of laundry for just a few of them...)

Elastic bands are now just like toilet paper 😩😩