Wearing a face mask is one of the easiest precautionary methods to prevent coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that we must wear a mask when we are around people.
A face mask is not only important for you but also to make sure someone else doesn’t get the virus if you’re infected. Since symptoms take time to show, the best thing to do is always wear a face mask when meeting people or going to the essential store.
Some countries have made wearing a face mask mandatory in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. In such a situation, you might need plenty of them. Here, we will help you make a fabric face mask at home to customize the different prints you’d want to wear. You don’t even need to know sewing to make a mask. Just follow a few simple steps and wear a new fabric mask every day.
What do you need to make a fabric face mask?
In order to make a fabric face mask, you need:
- A type of fabric – you can use an old t-shirt, cloth, or a buy a piece to make a mask
- Scissors that helps you cut the fabric
- Hair ties or rubber bands
- Tape measure or ruler
Steps to make a fabric face mask
Here are two easy ways to make fabric face masks without needing to sew it:
Face mask with rubber bands or hair ties
To make a mask with hair ties or rubber bands you need:
- Clean fabric
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Rubber bands
Step 1
Lay the old t-shirt you’re using to make the face mask and use a ruler to measure 7 to 8 inches in length to cut out a rectangular shape. This will be the fabric you use for the mask. If you already have an appropriate cloth, you can move to the next step.
Step 2
Place the rectangular piece of cloth on a straight surface like a table or bed. Now fold the material from the bottom to the middle, and then from the top to the middle. Fold again from the bottom to the middle, and then from top to middle. You now have a layered mask that will give you complete protection.
Step 3
Loop hair ties or rubber bands around both the ends of the fabric. They should be at least 2 inches away from the end of the fabric. Now fold the right end of the fabric towards the middle and repeat same with the left to make them meet.
Step 4
Now grab the mask by holding onto the hair ties and place the fabric over your mouth. Loop the ties around your ears and adjust the fabric to cover your nose and mouth properly.
Face mask with strings built-in
To make this face mask you need:
- An old t-shirt or other fabric
- Ruler or tape to measure
- Scissors
Step 1
Place the t-shirt on a surface and measure around 8 inches from the bottom and cut across. Make a rectangle out of the old t-shirt and discard the rest of the cloth. You can also make another mask by repeating the process with the same fabric.
Step 2
Measure around 6-7 inches in from the sides of the cloth and cut out a rectangular shape leaving the last half inch on both ends. These will work like strings to ties the mask.
Step 3
Once you cut out the rectangular portion keeping in mind of the area needed to cover your nose and mouth, you will find the strings of your new mask.
Step 4
Cover your face and nose and then tie the strings at the back of your head. You will have created two strings to fasten your mask, so the other one can go around your neck.
How to wear a mask properly?
Handling a mask properly is as essential as wearing it outdoors. Before you put on a mask, you need to wash your hands with soap and water. The recommended time to do so as per the CDC is 20 seconds. If you don’t have soap and water, you can use a hand sanitizer.
When you put on your mask, you need to hold the rubber bands or hair ties and put the fabric against your face. Try to not touch the fabric while doing so. Make sure that the mask snuggles to your nose and face.
Before taking off the face, you need to wash your hands again. Remove the ties around your ears and don’t touch your nose, eyes, or mouth. Discard the mask if it is of one-time-use or add it to the washing machine. Always wear a new and clean mask. Once you’ve done that, wash your hands again.
How to maintain a fabric face mask?
You not only have to make and wear a face mask, but you need to know how to maintain it as well. Here are some steps you’d need to follow while doing so:
Wash your mask
The ideal way to wash your face mask is by adding it to the hot water and using regular detergent with it. Once washed you should dry the mask on a high-heat setting. If you wash a few masks together it will reduce the number of times you do laundry and also save water.
Wearing it in the public
When you step out you shouldn’t remove a mask or even lift it up to talk to someone. Adjusting the face mask is also not recommended. You must check how it fits to make sure the mask is perfect when you step out of the house or car. If you need to adjust the mask make proper adjustments, secure it, and then leave the vehicle.
Avoid touching mask
When you use the mask for what it’s made for, it is best to avoid touching it. Your hands can carry the virus when you’re outside. So, touching the mask will make you susceptible. To avoid risks, wash your hands before and after wearing the mask.
Maintain social distancing
The fabric face mask is your primary weapon against coronavirus. However, it doesn’t replace the importance of social distancing. Try and maintain six feet distance from people when in public.
Fabric face mask is not safe for toddlers
If you have kids who are two years old or younger, you shouldn’t give them a cloth face mask. They might have problems to breathe and get unconscious. They might not feel comfortable wearing them as well.
