We have 3 each.
Wash in machine with bleach.
Every 3 days, I hand wash, pour isopropanol on it, let it dry overnight.
Do that a couple weeks, then change mask.
If I was around crowds I'd probably wash in the machine more.

If soap and water is good enough for my hands plus, I made them out of quilting cotton and they’d fade if I hit them with bleach.

...mold spores. Micellar theory says the spores should be encapsulated at the critical micelle concentration, but they tend to show adhesion to fibers.
It's probably getting all of them in the whole wash cycle, but bleach chemically alters the surface of mold spores so they lose adhesion. They will definitely get captured by the micelles then.
Just an extra step. Doesn't hurt, likely helps a bit.
Just remember, detergent is not super efficacious in destroying virus.
Yes, the elevated pH helps ruin the lipid coating, exposing the viral protein to oxidation.
But, the real point of washing is to get the virus of the surface, not necessarily to destroy them.
In waste water processing, the chlorine at the back end will handle that.
As long as it's not on your skin anymore, viable or nonviable isn't important.
As you may have noticed, surface chemistry and reaction mechanisms were my specialties.

I used batik quilters fabric (2 layers) plus a layer of non woven interfacing.

I made multiple masks for each family member so that they can be worn once a day and washed once a week.

Is it fusible or sew-in? What brand? What thickness? How hard is it to breathe through?
I made one mask with a filter pocket, which acts as a third layer by itself.
I could really tell a difference breathing wearing that one versus a two layer mask.
Thank you!

It does add an extra step of having to iron in the interfacing but I tend to make a dozen or so masks at a time.

Pellon is the brand I find most available. I’m currently using 950f shirtailor but any lightweight non woven interfacing is fine. I’ve ordered from both Joann and fabric dot com and both of those places tend to have something in stock. Joann does curbside pickup and even if the website allows you to order more than a yard I’ve found that there is no way they’ll fill more than a yard.

It’s fine to breathe through for normal activities. My son that runs says it’s hard to keep on for miles and miles but it’s fine for grocery stores or walks. I don’t run so for me it’s just used for going on grocery runs and I’ve had no issues. Just stick with lightweight interfacing and it’ll be fine.

I think I’ll try it. I wear mine climbing stairs to the doctor’s office. Thought I was never going to get my breath under control the day I wore the three layer mask. I’ve been sewing masks out of 300 count sheets, though. Thank you so much for the information, MissB.

So we match. Lol. They have tiger stripes

When they’re being washed we have disposable ones

I’m not sure how long they last.
But, I only go out of my house about once per week.
They sell them in packs of 3 at Staples.
They are the most comfortable ones I’ve found so far.

I have about ten different ones.

I keep one in the car and rotate it out so I can wash it. I don't go out much so don't wash it all that often.

I always take a clean mask with me when I leave home, but I have an emergency mask that I keep in my car on the rear view mirror post - the sunshine hits it a lot through the windshield - I have washed it only once

I'll start doing that. I've just ordered a few more from her, this time with the pocket for the filters, since my husband has to go back to his teaching job in a few weeks.

And to the classroom on 8/13

Have you heard of vogmasks? They are now making them without valves, and supposedly these masks have filters build inside.
You are supposed to clean them with alcohol wipes. Disclaimer: I have no idea how well they work.

I rotate the cloth masks

The valve defeats this purpose. There is minimal benefit to a healthy person. But, as we all know, many seemingly healthy people are unknowingly carrying coronavirus. That’s why everyone should wear a mask.

Wish Starbucks would.

Assuming of course you are still able to breathe.

I made about 30 of them, wash them with bleach I, change one per day every day like changing my underwear

In a hurry, n95 for shopping and other essential “socializing”.

The bamboos are very comfy.

We mostly use the cloth masks. The KN95's are backup and for going in stores if we don't have the cloth mask with us (I keep a couple KN95's in the car).

As for how long to use KN95's not sure. I heard you can rotate them out and let them air out for 72 hours, but you need several if you do that. It is what we do, if we have to use one.

Article on cleaning masks;
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/lifestyle/coronavirus/how-to-clean-and-reuse-an-n95-mask/ar-BB12lRjb

The replaceable filters I throw away after using several times; I just wash all my masks after a few wearings; I don't wear them much, as I am at home most of the time. The masks I made are the most comfortable and fit; the purchased ones are barely large enough, but are available in lots of attractive patterns. I did have one replaceable surgical mask, but too small and wore only a couple of times.

I had one of those non-woven masks with the filter, but after reading some articles, I realized it was a construction or wood-working mask, and not effective except protection from dust, so threw it away.

made by my good friend.
Ironically, she just tested positive- no symptoms.

Go figure.

Started with a N99 valve mask in February. Then I got some blue paper disposable ones. I sew but haven't made any yet, although have plenty of batik quilting cotton at the ready. And then I found these:

https://www.everlane.com/products/unisex-human-mask-5-tie-dye?collection=womens-newest-arrivals



They're on backorder, but I love them already. Soft cotton knit and work out to $5 each, which is fair, imo.

They’re the most comfortable and I feel safer wearing them. I was using them only once, then putting them in a paper bag for a week before using again. But recently I accidentally had one go through the washer and dryer. It came through immaculately, so I might start washing them even though it’s supposed to cut down on the mask’s effectiveness.

filtration ability of the mask. It could become basically useless even if it appears normal.

But they’re still at least as effective as a cloth mask and I find them to be more comfortable.

I have made so many masks for friends, family, charity. Good use for my slightly embarrassing fabric stash. 😀

I find I prefer a more fitted mask sometimes referred to as the Jesse mask. Using a face measurement gives you a better fitting mask, especially if you have a small face or the mask is for a child. I have a whole bunch, wear one, throw it in a plastic bag until it is time to load the washing machine, wear the next one, etc. I keep one in my pocket when I walk the dog. This morning I actually put it on - there were a lot of people out and about on the path.

If you don't have a big supply, simply wash with soap in hot water and let it dry overnight. Even better let it dry outside in the sun.

I watched a video earlier this week on how to convert fashion scarves into effective masks. I think I may convert a couple of scarves which are taking up space in my drawer for use this fall and winter. Because yes we will still be wearing face coverings. 😟

Different masks for different folks.

The key is finding what you are comfortable in. If the mask bugs you too much you won't wear it. One of my standard pleated variety masks is just a tad too big. (manufacturing error 😆 . If I try to talk while wearing it, it tends to slip around my face.

I was chatting with the quilting store staff earlier this week - buying - yes, actually buying fabric for a mask - 1st grade boy is a tough customer. The lovely women there wear masks all day long. Question came up - Do you wear make up or not? I know - deep, deep conversation. We all wear make up under the mask - including lipstick. Perhaps a little more focus on the eyes 'cause that is all you can see. Even earrings can be problematic. Most certainly first world problems, but how to keep a bit of your normal life in this mess of a pandemic where nothing feels normal.

I wear earrings - but mostly because I don't want the holes to close for the few occasions a year when I might wear them to dress up.

I have N95 masks, but find them hard to stay in longer than an hour. I also have two masks with a filter, but stopped wearing those.

For me, 2 or 3 ply cotton masks work the best (at least breathability and comfort wise).

arm raised in his Famous Live Aid pose. My girlfriend said it looks like Freddie has his hand up my nose. I also have one with the Queen logo, several other homemade ones, a couple with the logo of the high school where I sub, and I just received two from Humana Medicare as a free gift because I am enrolled with them. And a black one with white monster teeth.

But I only wear them outside when I am not around a lot of people. Silk mask are marvelous in hot weather. Those masks can be washed.
If I am around a lot of people, I have KN95s (most likely not a a real deal, but presumably still better than cloth masks). I air them out in a paper bag for a week before reusing, which supposedly should lead to any virus dying just by itself. Not sure how many times one can reuse them. They are supposed to be disposable. But the virus should expire after a week, so as long as mask looks clean, I guess it's o'key to reuse. You can also double mask, and cover KN95 with a cloth mask to protect KN95 (assuming you are still able to breathe).

Those are intended to filter out sawdust, etc. via the cloth but to let you exhaust your own breath without filtering it, so the only way they are effective is if you add a separate filter over the valve on the inside of the mask (or tape them off entirely).

I've been making masks since the beginning. The ones I make have a box pleat, nose wire, and straps. I'm switching to a 3D/origami pattern soon - and will likely make some with windows for teaching (or students who need to lip read).

Hate ear loops. Hate the fitted ones.

I also have some face shields from Zverse (which come up from the bottom). I'll use those for teaching without a mask, if permitted. (The podium is well more than 6' from any student; the shield meets the higher standards (extends below the chin and wraps ear to ear)

I'll have both in-person and remote students - and remote, especially, will be challenging to communicate to with a mask on.

No idea how well they work. And seems like clear window cuts on filtering material too, so it might be hard to breathe in them. But that's an option if one wants people to see the mouth.

The biggest issue with the masks with the windows is that they fog (and defeat the purpose).

So it's more finding a material & a coating that will keep the fog down.

In some instances they are as effective. It depends on the construction of shield and the situation.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200430/face-shields-a-more-effective-deterrent-to-covid#2
https://www.nytimes.com/article/face-shield-mask-california-coronavirus.html

Shields are better at stopping droplets than cloth, since they are impermeable and the physics limits how and how far droplets can travel. Because of this, when there is a distance of 6 feet from the nearest person, and when the mask wraps ear to ear, and extends below the chin, shields are more effective because the expelled droplets will primarily hit the impermeable shield - and whatever droplets escape cannot reach the nearest person.

Masks are better at preventing aerosolized matter from being spread than shields. Shields are probably slightly better at protecting the wearer from aerosolized matter, because they are impermeable (and depending on how far down, and how far wrapped around the head they better at disrupting airflow.

The danger of aerosolized matter is two-fold: (1) they are smaller- so they can get through masks more easily and (2) because they are lighter they float on the air currents making their path less predictable - and keeping them in the air longer.

Masks stop some of them - more for the wearer than the recipient. But masks are less effective at stopping them because the aerosolized matter is so much smaller. So you're balancing impermeability of the shield v. the better seal of the mask. They are also floating all around - far more than 6', and they don't land as quickly so they can be cleaned up. Sterilizing my space will not clear it (or the room) of aerosolized droplets for the next person.

And the risk has to be weighed against the need to communicate. I have had at least one hearing impaired student in my class since we updated the building to include mics. I make a point of wearing them - and explain to the students that anyone should call me on it if I am ever teaching without it, since students who are hearing impaired should not have to out themselves in order to access the content in my class. At least one student every year has thanked me for using the mic because they can near the content in my class. Most of them also rely on lip reading, to some extent.

The risk is relatively small - with an ear-to-ear shield that extends up from my chest, and a physical distance of at least 12' in the closest environment. The benefits of the students being able to see my lips is significant. So if we are allowed to wear one, I will be teaching using a face shield. One of the exceptions to the mask wearing requirements is when they inhibit the ability to convey content. The rest of the day I will be wearing a mask.

As to the cashier - the risk the cashier creates isn't to you, specifically. The shield will catch the droplets better than if they were wearing a mask. The risk is from aerosolized droplets. Depending on air circulation, those aerosolized droplets could be anywhere in the store - so avoiding their lanes isn't going to protect you.

If your state requires cloth coverings for employees, report the store to the health department.

Our company mailed us a bunch of them and I also order a bunch from Amazon. Once we go back to the office, this is the kind of mask they will issue us as we check through security every day.

Learned how to use a sewing machine and made about 20 of them that have a pocket for an insert and use those coffee bag closer thingys for a nose bridge (much larger and more durable than those little metal ones on regular masks). I use doubled-up blue shop towels in them as they are rated pretty high for filtration versus breathability aspects.

I'd post a pic, but I don't see how that's done on here.

... I made about a dozen of them and each time we wear one out it gets washed.

I went back and looked at many old studies on how to do it, dating to early 2000s. I wanted recommendations that were based on long term global studies and not frantically rushed together for coronavirus.

The consensus was 30 minutes at 170-210 degrees while tightly enclosed in a paper bag. I have been doing that while rotating 4 or 5 masks. That way the masks always go at least a week between use. I use the 170 degree version.

I make a mark on each paper bag every time I use and disinfect the mask. I have been throwing them away after 8 uses. I don't know where I came up with that number. So far I've only had to throw away 2.

I also have cloth masks to put over the top of the valve, once I read about it here last week. It is not so bad. I can still breathe.

The neighbor works at a hospital and gives us one each per week. It’s one step down from a n95.

The wife is back to work and ironically has to wear a company issued cloth one which is very good but not as good as the one she wears at home.

Finally everyone at Publix is masked up.

Mine are fitted, but some can't tolerate the same. You do you. Just mask up!

I have, and use my N95 (no valve, they defeat the purpose) when I go to the doctor or other extremely high risk areas.

Be safe out there. We literally are each other's guardians now.

Used gloves and masks go into a paper bag marked with the day of the week. They sit all week before being used again. Read someplace that 72 hours is good enough for the virus to die so a week should be just fine.

Last edited Sat Jul 25, 2020, 03:12 PM - Edit history (1)

It's so frustrating........

I use disposable use ones when I am shopping. If I have to do business anywhere for a prolonged period of time, I opt for a cloth. And I am required to wear a cloth one on the rare days I have to physically be in my office.