A trick to making your N95 mask last longer and easier to put on--especially if you have long hair.

[TheBlackAdder]

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Most of your 3M and like N95 masks have two rubber straps that go around the back of your head to secure it.




Frequently putting on and taking off these masks will cause the rubber straps to eventually fail from over-stressing or tear away where it is affixed to the mask. Well, there is a quick way to modify the N95 masks that will prolong the rubber band's life as well as making it easier to put on and take off.


1) Find some small foldback clips, like the ones below. The tiny versions, no more than 1/2 wide will do.




2) Gently tear away or cut the rubber strap where it joins to the mask on one side, the side you prefer. You only need to do the bottom rubber strap.

3) Securely tie the end of the rubber strap to one of the the foldback clip arms. The type of rubber on the N95 masks allow for simple knots, just pull them tight.

4) Place the mask on your head, using the upper rubber strap resting above your ears. Wrap the lower strap around the back of your head and clip it to the mask where it would have normally sat. Then, fold the idle clip arm forward so it doesn't protrude.


That's it. It's a quick way to prolong the use of these masks, while making them easy to put on your face.
If you have long hair, you can loop the strap under your hair and that will also remove a lot of forces from the strap.

If your mask is used often, you could add a piece of duct tape to it, that wraps front to back where the clip would go, to protect the delicate material. If one of your straps had already broken, you can now apply a quick and secure fix to it.

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[diane in sf]

1. I simply moved the straps to go around my ears instead of the back of my head. Doesn't slip

around on my hair, easier to get on and off, less wear and tear on the mask and elastic. I pried up the staples, moved, then reattached. I had to shorten the elastic slightly.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. I did this when my lower strap broke, requiring minimal effort, while maintaining similar properties

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Perhaps that could work with your version of mask.


The version of N95 I have doesn't seem like it would have the same snugness. Converting the N95 to a, ear hold would lower filtration level as more intake and exhales would skirt around the edges. That is probably why they are not sold with ear attachments.

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[diane in sf]

4. Even just around the ears, I have to gap the mask a bit to get enough oxygen if I'm out walking

and going fast or up a hill, sometimes walk with friends 10’ apart. Because on my face it has a pretty tight seal. If I was alone, I wouldn’t wear it outdoors. Never have to gap it while I’m food shopping because it lets in enough oxygen, the only other thing I’ve been going out doing near other people. Even with using ear elastic, it still has a better seal than the bandanas others are using.

[Donkees]

3. Also velcro strips or plastic quick-release clip buckles