The association welcomes "good news for the wallet and the planet".
The UFC-Que Choisir ensures that it is possible to wash and reuse its surgical masks many times to protect yourself from Covid-19, in a brief market study published on Tuesday.
The consumer association tested three models purchased in supermarkets and drugstores.
She states that after 10 machine washes at 60 ° C, surgical masks, theoretically disposable, "retain excellent filtration capacities".
"Above minimum requirements"
The masks, she adds, also remain breathable enough to be worn for several hours "without too much discomfort".
"Even after having undergone several washing cycles, they are well above the minimum requirements for fabric masks carrying the official Afnor / DGA filtration guarantee", which served as a benchmark for the test.
VIDEO. Mask at school from 6 years old: "It's too stylish, but it hurts your head"
"Despite a slight felting, washed surgical masks are therefore on an equal footing, and beyond, with the most efficient fabric masks bearing the Afnor / DGA guarantee", even assures the association, which also notes that mask fasteners "remained intact" over the washings.
"Contrary to official instructions, the reuse of surgical masks for non-medical use is therefore possible without compromising their performance, including after going to the washing machine," concludes UFC-Que Choisir.
They would thus rise "to the level of fabric masks that are washable 10 times", while being significantly less costly per unit.