The best materials to make face masks with charts in this article.

[sinkingfeeling]

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

[Mike 03]

1. Vacuum cleaner bag and anti-microbial pillowcase material!

Brilliant.

Some vacuum cleaner bags are hepa filters.

Great info! Creativity in action.

[consider_this]

4. read it all!

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2020, 11:36 AM - Edit history (1)

even though those material trap more, they have quite impaired breathability.

Based on particle capture and breathability, the researchers concluded that cotton t-shirts and pillow cases are the best choices for DIY masks.

personally, after looking a the charts, i would double them for the added protection.

[Hortensis]

17. I just folded over a decent-quality cotton dish towel of the sort shown.

Imo, breathability was perfectly fine for a visit to a store, though I don't think they're going to be equipping athletes at competitions with them any time soon.

They're downgraded because people would be less likely to wear them for hours, and I can see that. Being able to actually see a swarm of COVIDs trying to get at me would inspire the necessary discipline.

[Rorey]

6. Yeah, watch for a big run on vacuum cleaner bags now.

I thought about ordering some, but they're kind of pricey.

[Hortensis]

21. Always had them on hand for nearly 50 years.

Now it's a pull-out plastic container. Figures.

[seaglass]

9. Good luck finding the bags. One grocery store had them but they all had Febreze in them, can't

imagine that is healthy to breathe in.

Lowe's and Home Depot near me only have bags to order online - except for the Febreze bags.

[Rorey]

14. Yeah, that can't be safe NT

[appalachiablue]

33. Vacuum cleaners bags-- we have plenty around, good idea.

- Nurses and children wear masks in Colorado during the 1918 Influenza Epidemic (Jan. 1918- Dec. 1920).

(Both sides of my family survived it, and my grandmother had two safe pregnancies during the period).



- A streetcar conductor in Seattle in 1918 refusing to allow persons not wearing masks aboard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

[SamKnause]

2. 2 layer dish towels looks like the best option.

Mass produced surgical masks. 97%

2 layer dish towels. 97%

Single layer dish towel. 83%

[consider_this]

5. actually it is not...

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2020, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)

the article concludes that
Based on particle capture and breathability, the researchers concluded that cotton t-shirts and pillow cases are the best choices for DIY masks.

[Ms. Toad]

13. Single-layered -

Double was more effective, but not worth the diminished breathability.

[consider_this]

18. thank you!

you are right that they had the single layer as more breathable.

I would opt to double, as i think the added protection would be worth it - but thank you for clarifying. I am editing my post to remove the 'doubling' text that i had included.
thank you!

[Hortensis]

23. Me too. Breathability is a comfort factor that would influence

how long millions of people would be likely to keep them on. Important for people in public health to consider before making recommendations to entire populations.

For me, the only population average to consider is my husband's and mine (mine would rule) and our situational needs. As retired empty nesters, it's likely we'd never need them more than a half hour anyway.

[EndlessWire]

35. N95 masks

If you ever had to spend a long time in an N95 mask, you'd also feel woozy or sick. Yet, you don't go without. Toughen up, people! Hah hah! I'm waiting for the recommendation to use underwear lined with a sheet of vacuum bag.

[Hortensis]

36. :) Probably already out there. The web's full of marvels.

[Rorey]

3. I've been thinking about different ways to protect myself

I ordered neck gaiter/dust mask/balaclava type items, and I thought that they might offer some protection when used in conjunction with other things. I'm going to sew some masks too. It's going to be cloudy and raining today, so I won't work in the yard, and need to do inside activities.

[Rorey]

7. I wonder if coffee filters have been tested NT

[seaglass]

10. I am going to use coffee filters.

Nonwoven material is best.

A pattern with a pocket insert for a filter:

https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

[Rorey]

11. Thank you! NT

[Rorey]

12. I saw a tutorial using twist ties

For the bridge of your nose. They're just sewn into the face mask.

[seaglass]

16. Yes, I am saving twist ties now. :-) n/t

[Nay]

24. Thanks! I've downloaded the pattern. nt

[onetexan]

37. That is a fabulous idea, but are you referring to the paper variety? i'd imagine they are only good

for one use.

[crickets]

15. Good find! & good to know.

I hope I remember how to use my sewing machine--and that it still works. It's been awhile.

[Goodheart]

19. Just ordered some Fruit of the Loom t-shirts

This man learned how to sew a couple of years ago.... will be making masks for my condo association!

[Sancho]

20. Thank you for this...

I have vacuum bags, t-shirts, and flexible air conditioner filter here at home (in quantity). I'm thinking that I will make some masks and see how hard it is to breath. The only mask I could find to purchase was a "grass cutting" one at Home Depot.

At worst, it will make us feel better if we go out for prescriptions or groceries. At best it may help!!

[Roland99]

22. HERE ARE THE IMAGES FROM THE ARTICLE........

Researchers’ Pick for Best-Performing Homemade Mask Material
Based on particle capture and breathability, the researchers concluded that cotton t-shirts and pillow cases are the best choices for DIY masks.




Other Images

[Bayard]

25. How about painter's masks?

I have a bag of those from when I was sanding floors.

[LisaL]

31. Do they say N95 on them?

The N95 masks are actually the best.

[Bayard]

34. No.....

But they are made in China!

[onetexan]

38. LOL

try them out and see how effective. We have some in the garage

[Goonch]

26. The vacuum cleaner bag is the winner by a large margin

[blaze]

29. But low on "breathability" according to OP link. nt

[Goonch]

30. "breathability"

[Talitha]

27. Thank you!

[Deb]

28. Thanks! I bought some Tyvek yesterday and all I needed was that pattern.

Hope I never need to make them.

[fierywoman]

32. Such great, hopeful, positive info -- thanks for posting. I'm going with double layer dish towel and

I'm grateful to my mother for making me learn to sew by making my own Barbie doll clothes when I was 8 ("They cost more than your clothes! Here's a pattern and your grandmother's sewing machine.&quot