DO NOT BREAK ISOLATION TO PURCHASE MATERIALS

Use what is on hand. Nothing on hand? Use an old t-shirt. Use a scarf. Anything you already have is safer than breaking isolation.

Choosing Fabric

There are myriad choices you could make – flannel? Terrycloth? PUL? Cotton? Wool? There is no one answer. Educate yourself on efficacy, and then balance that against comfort, in consultation with your medical provider.

Spoiler alert: more effective fabrics are less comfortable.

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT: If you are sewing for a medical facility or individual provider, ask first! It is a waste of time and resources to make masks for your community without knowing what they can use and what will land in the trash. Worse – you could actually spread the virus more by not using the right materials.

• Research-based information on fabrics (and somewhat on filter material as well)
  • It’s all about the filtration and microns. Learn as much as possible.
  • Bottom line: dishtowel or tea towel fabric and vacuum cleaner bags performed the best, but see below re: vacuum bags and microns
  • Explainer accessible to laypeople
  • Original study published in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
• All fabrics need to be prewashed in very hot water and thoroughly dried on high.
  • This is because the masks will need to be sanitized in very hot water and you do not want size, shape, and fit issues due to shrinkage during sanitizing.
• Hypoallergenic fabrics
  • These are typically sold as pillowcase and mattress covers.
  • Fabrics that are rated for average pore size of 50 microns or higher are unlikely to confer any benefit greater than other cotton weaves.
  • Fabrics with an average pore size of 3 microns are harder to find, but may confer greater benefit over other cotton or blend wovens.
• Attachment options
  • If sewing for yourself and family, the main considerations are what you have on hand and what you can safely remove once the mask is dirty.
  • Elastic
    • If sewing for medical facilities and workers, some will only accept elastic, others will reject anything including elastic because it does not stand up to high temperatures.
    • Beading elastic works well, as do the narrowest types of elastic.
    • Do not try to cut elastic in half lengthwise; it will fray.
    • Old fitted sheets? Rip out the elastic.
    • Elastic may not stand up as well to washing in very hot water for sanitizing.
    • You can use hair elastics.
    • Elastic can be used either to make over the ear loops, or around the head loops. (See patterns)
  • Bias tape
    • Either premanufactured or you can make your own. See prewashing instructions above. Aim for cotton or cotton poly blend.
  • Ribbon
    • Be mindful of delicate synthetics that may melt or not do well in sanitization. Prewash and dry as noted above.
  • Velcro/Hook and loop
    • Not recommended because it may make it more difficult to put the masks on and take them off safely.

Choosing Filter Material

If you are making a mask for low-risk individuals and low-risk situations, you may decide that the fabric alone is enough filtration. However disposable filter material may enhance the effectiveness of the mask. Balance better filtration against breathability, comfort, and the potential for trapping moisture.

• What is an N95 Mask Anyway?
  • Quick explainer from Honeywell
• Research-based information on fabrics (and somewhat on filter material as well)
  • vacuum cleaner bags performed the best
  • Explainer accessible to laypeople
  • Original study published in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
• Vacuum cleaner bags
  • Many of them do little more than an ordinary piece of paper or paper towel.
  • If using them, use ONLY bags that are certified HEPA and will filter at the .3 micron level. Note the decimal – it’s point three microns.
  • Beware of fiberglass!
• HVAC Filter Materials
  • Not recommended due to fiberglass.
  • If using them, use ONLY materials that are certified HEPA and will filter at the .3 micron level. Note the decimal – it’s point three microns.

If you have links to good information for anything on this page, please leave a comment below or email this site at info@makeacovid19mask.com.