When you go to the shop or pharmacy for urgent care, it is a good idea to protect yourself with a protective mask, which is also required by law in some countries. If you don’t have a mask, you can also make one from the material you find at home. Homemade masks are only half as effective as surgical masks, but it’s better to have one than none. Learn how to make a cotton face mask in these 7 easy steps:
- Create a pattern
- Cut out the pattern
- Sew together the parts
- Make sure the mask fits, cut off the excess
- Turn the mask inside out and iron
- Create one pleat on both sides
- Add elastic on the sides and top-stitch
Check out my video on how to make a cotton face mask below (also on YouTube):
Why you should wear a cotton face mask?
The mask prevents the spread of the infection to other people. At the same time, we can at least somewhat prevent any possible infection with viruses, since even homemade masks are better than no protection. It has been known for some time now that we can be contagious for several days before showing the first signs of illness, therefore it is recommended that we wear masks to protect ourselves and others.
How to use cotton face masks:
- Before putting on the mask, wash your hands with soap or disinfect them with alcohol.
- Place the mask on the face from the upper part of the nose over the mouth and under the chin so that the mask fits snugly into the face.
- Do not touch the mask during use; always wash or disinfect your hands in case of contact! This prevents the transmission of germs.
- Never wear a mask under your nose or under your chin!
- After two or three hours (or if the mask gets wet), remove the mask with a strap or elastic grip; never touch the mask in front.
- When removing the mask, keep your head straight (do not look down) to prevent germs from spreading on the surface of the mask over your dress.
- Wash your hands with soap or disinfect them with alcohol.
Maintenance
After the use, put the mask in a certain place so that it does not come in contact with the clean laundry. Make masks from materials (cotton) that allow washing in the washing machine at a 60°C or 90°C. Use regular washing powders. Press down through the cotton fabric with the medium hot iron.
Is cotton good for face masks?
In 2013, the University of Cambridge published a study “Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks“, examining what household materials would protect us the most against an influenza pandemic. The size of the microorganisms they tested was similar to the size of particular found in COVID-19. The results showed that homemade masks are about half as effective as surgical masks, but wearing them both greatly reduced the number of microorganisms in volunteers. Surgical masks were about three times more effective at stopping the passage of microorganisms than homemade masks.
The researchers concluded that a homemade mask should be the last resort to prevent infection by infected individuals, but wearing such masks is better than not wearing a mask at all.
Where to buy a cotton face mask?
If you don’t have the tools to make the mask on your own, simply head over to aljaslemensek.com and buy an organic cotton face mask made of 100% organic cotton.
