How to make a safe face mask as an alternative to wear every time you go out for essentials? According to the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), a homemade face mask is not a replacement for the N95 face mask that is required to protect you against COVID-19. Nevertheless, desperate times cause for desperate measures according to the CDC, and as a last result, the homemade fabric mask can be used.
Hospital Staff & Safe Face Mask
Hospital staff is placing a safe face mask over their surgical or N95 mask for added protection and to try to extend the life of their mask. To my knowledge, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that these surgical masks are protective against COVID-19.
However, the thought is that having a safe face mask cover is better than not having any coverage at all to potentially contain the virus in people without symptoms and be a reminder for social distancing.
Surgical Mask for Healthcare Staff
N95 Mask for Healthcare Staff
Most Effective Way to Save Lives
Stay at home is the most effective way to prevent COVID-19. However, going out for essentials put you at risk for COVID-19. That said, perhaps we do not need anyone to tells us to start wearing a mask every time you go out for essentials. No one knows if this might be better than not having anything, but it probably won’t cause any harm. As always, I have to say check with your health care provider before wearing any type of safe face mask. At this time, health care providers are very busy.
You can purchase a fabric face mask at this link: https://amzn.to/2wRY7A8
YOU CAN PURCHASE A Pack of 3 MASKS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST at this link:
Alternative Safe Face Mask When Mask Stockpile is Low
As everybody knows, we are running very low on N95 masks. In fact, many hospital staff members all over the world do not have access to the N95 mask due to the shortage. Desperate times force us to take desperate measures. If you do not have an N95 mask, a homemade face mask might be better than nothing at all.
See the easy versions of how to make your safe face mask in the videos below:
No Sewing Required for the Safe Face Mask in this Video
Sewing Required for the Safe Face Mask in this Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aMCFnK5bHk
How to Make a Safe Face Mask
Go to youtube and paste in this title: To make the BEST DIY face mask, and what to use if you can’t find supplies”. The Fabric Patch released this video that might be useful with making homemade on March 23.
Then, consider the additional instructions by the Ph.D. Microbiologist. She is an avid sewist (sicplano) from YouTube with pathogen and air quality experience recommends the following, and I quote:
1) Use fine men’s shirting or high thread count sheets for fabric.
2) Use the third layer of cotton fabric in the center if you can’t access HEPA quality fabric.
3) Use non-woven interfacing for that interior layer.
The idea is that the three layers of woven fabric are offset from one another, causing air when it migrates in or droplets when they migrate out to not have a straight path. If you use nonwoven interfacing even better because it is a complex matrix. The entering particulates collide, so to speak with the fibers and are captured.
3) Also, you can consider a synthetic fabric for the middle layer since many polyesters and nylon are charged and can better capture charged cells.
4) Instead of the pony holders, I’ve used fold-over elastic about 28 inches long to bind each short side of the mask. This leaves stretchy tails for tying (makes it easier to fit) as you just zig-zag across folded over elastic from one end to the other. Many have also used garbage bag wires and plastic floral stems for the nose piece, you can sandwich it in duct tape, so it stays waterproof. I suggest inserting it into a 4” casing made with fold-over elastic sewn to the lining side of the mask. This way, you can reinsert new wire as needed. Lastly, after you turn it, consider topstitching around to increase durability.
More Videos of How to Make A Safe Face Mask
Select a video from below and go to YouTube and put the title in your search box. View one of these videos to show you how to make a safe face mask.
1) “DIY Best Fabric Face Mask Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners | Sweet Red Poppy” (BEST EXPLANATION and DESIGN in my opinion)
2) “A Doctor Explains How to Make the Safest Face Mask”
3) “Instructional video for sewing the Olson mask (COVID-19)”
4) “Fabric Face Mask”
5) “DIY FACE MASK from old clothes in 2 ways – Washable & Reusable face mask – No sewing machine”
6) The 15 Minute Mask
7) How to make a NO SEW DIY FACE MASK – $0 Quick & Easy Tutorial: no sewing required
What Should You Do?
Please consider wearing a mask every time if you have to go out for essentials such as work, clinic visits, medications, and food. However, remember that the mask does not give total protection.
Other Tips
1) Merv 8 filter or Halyard H600 2 ply spun polypropylene materials be used as an alternative
Halyard H600 2 ply spun polypropylene
2) Use tightly woven material for fabric masks (i.e., jean material)
Important Tips for Wearing a Homemade Mask
1) Use supplies that you have at home or consider ordering supplies online
2) Use fabric ties instead of rubber material that fits behind the ears for more comfort (See Fabric Face Mask at YouTube).
3) Wash your fabric in hot water before making the mask for shrinkage and if you receive a mask from the community or elsewhere, wash the mask first in warm soapy water before wearing
4) Strictly practice social distancing while using the mask
5) Frequently wash your hands with soap and water
6) Cover your N95 mask with a homemade mask if your hospital policy requires you to reuse your N95 mask due to the mask shortage. This may keep your N95 mask clean.
7) Wash your mask with warm water and detergent and dry completely every time you return home
7) If your safe face mask gets wet, it is no longer effective
Top 12 Sewing Machine Options
1) Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine (beginners)
2) Brother 4452
3) Singer Simple 4423
4) Juki HZL-F600 Sewing Machine (top of the line sewing machine)
5) Juki MO644D Portable Serger
6) Brother 2700 Lightweight Sewing Machine
7) Singer Quantum Stylist
8) Brothers SE 600 (beginners)
19) Janome 660 Jem Gold (beginners)
10) Singer C221K Featherweight (advanced)
Stay safe everyone!
#wearamask #maskforall
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Resources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Sicplano an anonymous Ph.D. Microbiologist avid sewist from YouTube
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from the link, I may earn a small commission that is of zero cost to you and will not affect the price of the item.
