Using A Cloth Mask with Filter
Mask Features
Elastic straps fit small faces, stretches for larger faces
Large Pocket for Filters
Putting On Your Mask
Make sure your mask has been washed and dried before putting it on.
1. Cut your choice of filter into the shape of your mask
2. Fold your filter in half to insert
3. Once all the way in, unfold and adjust
4. Wrap elastic straps around your ear
5. Don’t touch the front of your mask while wearing it
Types of Filters You Can Use in Pocket
Coffee Filters
Cotton Tea Towels
HEPA vacuum bag filters
2 Layers of Paper Towels
Scott Dry Shop Towels
Taking Off Your Mask
Don’t remove mask until you’re at home or in a place where you can wash your hands.
1. Remove the mask using the straps
2. Carefully remove and dispose of your filter without touching the front
3. Wash your hands thoroughly
Which Fabric is Best?
On Best Filtration - According to various sources cited below, the more tightly woven a fabric is, the better filtration it presumably has. Examples are cotton, heavy cotton, linen and tweed (tightly woven wool).
On Breathability - Cotton, linen, wool, denim are all very breathable because it allows moisture to get through. Make sure to not wear spandex or polyester fabrics on your face as they are not absorbent and can cause breathing issues.
Cleaning Your Mask
Please do not wear cloth masks without cleaning them first. It is best to have a few cloth masks so that you have masks to wear while others are drying. Make sure to thoroughly dry your mask before wearing it as wet/damp masks aren't as effective at filtration.
There are multiple ways to sanitize your cloth mask:
- Place your used mask in soap water, soak it for one minute, wash, rinse and hang to dry
- Put your used mask in boiling water for 5 minutes, then hang to dry (This will degrade the quality of your cloth mask over time and should not be done more than 10 times)
- Wash in washing-machine with detergent, hang to dry - don't dry in high heat, mask may shrink
If you are in need of a re-usable cloth mask, there are many options, including ours that you can buy here.
DISCLAIMER: We are not medical professionals and all this information is our advice on best practices based on research cited below.
🏥Medical References:
https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/covid/n95-mask.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7108646/pdf/S1935789313000438a.pdf
https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/guidelines-wearing-cloth-facemasks
🗞Media Sources:
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-04/how-to-keep-your-coronavirus-face-mask-clean