Hailey Tran
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in demand for face masks, resulting in a shortage of medical-grade masks. This prompted individuals, groups, and manufacturers to shift their focus to making homemade masks to address the gap. Hospitals, facing a scarcity of masks, started accepting homemade masks, although they emphasized the need for sterilization and proper usage. Volunteers and organizations played a crucial role in producing and donating masks to support healthcare workers. The Masked Warriors Project, for instance, had over 1,400 members and distributed 400 masks, with 700 more ready for delivery. Hospitals provided instructions and guidelines for creating effective masks, and some even shared templates for different ages, from small children to adults. While homemade masks were recognized as a last resort, they were still valuable in preventing the spread of germs and protecting others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Thick materials such as clean hoover bags or tea towels are better than thin materials such as cotton t-shirts or linen. If possible, use three layers of material: a thinner layer and a thicker outside layer, with a vacuum cleaner bag or thick fleece in between. |
| Size | A template of different sizes can be printed from a PDF. Cut it out twice and sew together in the middle to make a full mask. |
| Assembly | Sew along the top and bottom of the mask but not the short sides (leave these free for the ear elastic). Slide your elastic inside the "sleeves" and knot to size to hold the mask in place on your ears. |
| Use | A homemade mask should only be worn for the duration of your trip, such as a quick visit to the supermarket. It will not remain very effective beyond this. |
| Cleaning | Masks should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and hot water after each use and left to dry completely before reuse. |
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What You'll Learn
Using the right fabric
The right fabric is key to making an effective homemade hospital mask. The fabric should be clean, and thick materials such as clean hoover bags or tea towels are better than thin materials like cotton T-shirts or linen, as the latter does not have a tight enough weave. If you are using cotton, choose a tightly-woven variety that can be sterilized and reused. The fabric should also be one that you already have in stock, rather than buying new fabric.
The homemade mask should have at least two layers of fabric, and preferably three. The World Health Organization recommends that the innermost layer should be made of a hydrophilic material, such as cotton, to absorb moisture and prevent the mask from getting damp. The middle layer should act as a filter, so a vacuum cleaner bag or thick fleece is best. The outer layer should be made of a hydrophobic material, such as polyester or polypropylene, which will prevent droplets from entering the mask.
It is important to note that homemade cloth masks do not filter out COVID-19 and cannot offer as much protection as certified N95 masks. However, they can provide at least some physical protection and are useful in preventing the spread of germs and contaminated droplets.
In addition to the fabric, you will need elastic to hold the mask in place on your ears. Slide the elastic inside the "sleeves" and knot to size.
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How to sew it together
Sewing a homemade hospital mask is a simple process. First, cut out your chosen material, using a template as a guide. It is recommended to use a thick material such as a clean hoover bag or tea towel, as thin materials like cotton T-shirts or linen do not have tight enough weaves. You will need two pieces of material for each mask. Once you have your two pieces of material, place them together and sew along the top and bottom, leaving the short sides free for the ear elastic.
Next, you will need to attach the elastic. Cut a length of elastic to size, and sew it into the corners of the mask. A few stitches back and forth will hold this in place. You can then sew the elastic along the top and bottom of the mask, leaving enough slack for it to stretch over your ears.
If you are making a mask with a pocket for a filter, you will need to sew two pieces of fabric together, leaving one side open to insert the filter. Once the filter is in place, sew the final side closed.
Finally, you can add any additional features, such as a nose wire or extra layers of fabric, before turning the mask the right way round and wearing it.
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Adding elastic for the ears
To add elastic for the ears, start by cutting two pieces of elastic that are long enough to loop over your ears. You can use elastic bands or cut a longer piece of elastic to size. Next, create "sleeves" for the elastic by folding over and sewing down the short sides of your mask. Be sure to leave the edges open so that you can slide the elastic through. Once you've slid the elastic through the "sleeves", knot the elastic to size so that the mask will hold in place on your ears.
There are a few different methods for adding elastic to your homemade mask. One method is to sew the elastic directly to the mask. To do this, start by sewing the top and bottom of the mask, leaving the short sides open for the elastic. Then, sew the elastic to the corners of the mask, with the edge of the elastic facing outwards. Stitch forward and backward a few times to secure the elastic in place. Repeat this process for the other corner, then sew up the short sides of the mask.
Another method for adding elastic is to create "sleeves" for the elastic to slide through. To do this, fold over and sew down the short sides of the mask, leaving the edges open. Then, slide the elastic through the "sleeves" and knot to size. This method allows for more adjustability and easier replacement of the elastic if needed.
It's important to note that the elastic should be snug enough to hold the mask in place, but not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable. You may need to adjust the length of the elastic depending on the size of the wearer's head. Additionally, if you don't have elastic bands, you can use fabric ties or even hair ties as an alternative.
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Making sure it's sterile
Making sure your homemade hospital mask is sterile is crucial to ensuring its effectiveness in preventing the spread of viruses. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve that:
Firstly, it is essential to use clean fabric for your mask. Thick materials, such as clean vacuum bags or tea towels, are preferable to thin materials like cotton t-shirts or linen due to their tighter weave. The mask should consist of at least three layers of fabric: a thinner inner layer, a thicker outer layer, and a filter layer in between.
When it comes to sterilizing the mask, avoid using Lysol or other similar solutions, as they are not suitable for this purpose. Instead, focus on thorough cleaning with soap and hot water. Handwashing in hot, soapy water is an effective method, ensuring you scrub the mask thoroughly and then leave it to dry completely before reuse. You can also use a dishwasher, but ensure it reaches a temperature of 160º F (71º C) to adequately disinfect the mask.
If you are using a washing machine, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends presoaking the mask in an antimicrobial product effective against viruses similar to COVID-19. Alternatively, regular laundry detergent should suffice for cleaning, as confirmed by Dr. Frankie Wood-Black, a division chair at Northern Oklahoma College.
For industrial sterilization, hydrogen peroxide vaporization is a recommended method, as ethylene oxide is less safe and environmentally friendly. Sterilization methods are essential, especially if you plan to donate your homemade masks to hospitals, as they may have specific requirements for sterilization before accepting donations.
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Using it correctly
When using a homemade hospital mask, there are several guidelines to follow to ensure its effectiveness and your safety. Firstly, it is important to understand the limitations of homemade masks. While they can be useful, studies have shown that they are not as effective as surgical masks or FFP2 models. Homemade masks are intended to be a last resort when other options are unavailable.
When wearing a homemade mask, ensure that it covers your mouth and the bottom of your nose. This will help prevent the spread of contaminated droplets when you speak, cough, or sneeze. It is also crucial to combine mask-wearing with other good hygiene practices. These include coughing into your elbow instead of your hand, using hand sanitiser gel, avoiding touching your face, maintaining a safe distance from others, and regularly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Homemade masks should be used for a limited duration, such as during a quick trip to the supermarket. After each use, clean the mask thoroughly with soap and hot water, and allow it to dry completely before reusing it. Do not attempt to sterilise or sanitise the mask with Lysol or similar solutions, as this may not be safe. Instead, focus on keeping the fabric clean.
It is worth noting that the type of material used for the mask can impact its effectiveness. Thick materials, such as clean vacuum cleaner bags or tea towels, offer better protection than thin materials like cotton T-shirts or linen. The ideal mask has at least three layers: a thinner inner layer, a thicker outer layer, and a vacuum cleaner bag or thick fleece in between. This combination can help improve the filtration and protective capabilities of the mask.
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Frequently asked questions
Thick materials such as clean hoover bags or tea towels are better than thin materials such as cotton T-shirts or linen, as the latter do not have tight enough weaves. If possible, use three layers of material: a thinner inner layer, a thicker outer layer, and a vacuum cleaner bag or thick fleece in between.
A homemade hospital mask should cover the wearer's mouth and the bottom of their nose, to avoid spreading contaminated droplets as much as possible.
First, print a template of different sizes and cut it out twice to make a full mask. Sew along the top and bottom of the mask, but not the short sides (leave these free for the ear elastic). Slide your elastic inside the "sleeves" and knot to size.
A homemade hospital mask should be cleaned with soap and hot water and left to dry completely before reuse.
Hospitals are eager to receive homemade masks, although medical-grade masks are still preferred. Hospitals in states like Indiana, New York, and Ohio are willing to accept homemade masks made of cotton from community volunteers.
