As concerns rise surrounding the COVID-19 virus, government and public health authorities highly suggest everyone wear a mask in public spaces to slow the spread. This will protect the wearer of the mask and those around them. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
FAQs Regarding Cloth Face Coverings
Should cloth face coverings be washed or cleaned?
Cloth face coverings should be washed or cleaned regularly, and the washing machine is a great method.
How frequently should a cloth face covering be washed or cleaned?
A cloth face covering should be washed or cleaned often, depending on frequency of use. For some, this is every day.
How to safely remove a cloth face covering?
When safely removing a cloth face covering, do not touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. Immediately after removal, wash hands thoroughly.
Looking to wear a face mask, but can’t find any for sale? Don’t worry, there are plenty of Do-It-Yourself methods for creating a safe face covering, all requiring a small number of materials. Here are a few!
USING A 10″x6″ PIECE OF CLOTH OR LARGER
Looking for something already cut to the right size? At Mid-Cape, we have packs of 25 shop rags that each work great for a DIY cloth face covering. If not, use something from home that’s made of cloth/cotton-like material. This allows for an effective and safe covering, as well as breathe-ability for the wearer.
What you need: 10″x6″ piece of cloth or larger & two thin 6″ elastic bands
STEP 1
Lay out your piece of cloth on a flat surface and have two thin elastic bands for each side of the mask.
STEP 2
Fold the bottom half of the cloth up.
STEP 3
Fold the top half over the already-folded bottom half. This will ensure safety through layering.
STEP 4
Slip the elastic bands around the cloth on each side.
STEP 5
Fold each side inward and tuck the flaps into each other.
STEP 6
Bring covering up to your face. Slip one elastic band behind the right ear, then bring the mask across your face and slip the other elastic band behind the left ear.
Make sure the mask is tight enough over the bridge of your nose and has no openings. This will ensure the safety of yourself and others. Don’t forget to wash after each use!
USING A T-SHIRT
Materials Needed: One way is to use a T-Shirt and sewing machine.
STEP 1
Cut two 6×10-inch rectangles out of your t-shirt. (Whichever parts you would like for the front and inside)
STEP 2
Cut a 1-inch strip the entire circumference of the t-shirt. It is good to use the hem because it is already sewn!
STEP 3
Cut the 1-inch piece in half. These will be your ties.
STEP 4: Face the two rectangles and sew on these dotted line, leaving the two 6-inch sides un-sewn.
STEP 5: After sewing both sides, turn the mask right-side-out.
STEP 6: Fold to create pleats in your mask for a better shape.
STEP 7: Find the center of your two ties and line them up with the un-sewn sides of the mask.
STEP 8: Stitch on the line in the image above.
(This will lead one side of the ties un-sewn, for mass production, this is definitely recommended! Feel free to stitch the entire length of your ties for a more finished look)
CONGAR
ANOTHER WAY TO USE A T-SHIRT
No sewing machine required, just a T-Shirt and pair of scissors.
HAVE A BANDANA AT HOME? YOU CAN USE THAT!
Materials Needed: Bandana (approx. 20″x20″), rubber bands, coffee filter, scissors
We hope that you found a way to make a safe and effective DIY mask!