Are all cotton masks like this?

[MerryChristmas9792]

Hi all, I would just like to add first I’m not anti mask.

When masks were becoming compulsory I bought a pack of 50 or the blue/white surgical type masks. We haven’t had to wear them too much. I get my shopping delivered mainly, don’t use public transport and don’t them at work so they are only just stating to run out. I have had no
Issues wearing this type.

I ordered some cotton face coverings from next to be more environmentally friendly and save money. We also need to wear them on school run now so need more.

But oh my. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m not used to wearing them but the ones I bought are awful. I don’t find them breathable too (I know I can breathe fine just feels awful), I feel like I’m sucking back fabric and I hate the feel of it and on the school run this morning I felt awful. It was raining, the mask was wet and I was sweating and I couldn’t wait to whip it off yet with the first type I mentioned I can keep them for ages.


Aibu to just carry on using the surgical type? I feel they are an awful waste and expensive!

Can anyone recommended some nice cotton masks that are breathable?

[tallduckandhandsome]

No, cotton mask should be breathable. I can wear my cotton masks for hours (did so on Saturday when I took parent to hospital) but surgical masks feel uncomfortable.

I bought mine on eBay, from a seller who makes them at home using cotton Catholic Kidston fabric. It’s very comfortable and breathable.

[tallduckandhandsome]

If I had to buy in store I would buy Gap’s cotton ones.

[CoronaBollox]

I much prefer the surgical ones too OP. It probably happens in both but I feel my cotton one became "wet" quickly.

[Flibbertigibbet2211]

I had this problem with the handmade cotton masks I bought online too, and as a result felt quite panicky at the thought of having to wear a mask until I discovered that the disposable surgical type were bearable to wear. But like you I hate the fact that they are disposable. I generally try to avoid creating unnecessary waste, as best I can. I do re-wear the disposable ones, which I know you're not meant to.

I don't know what the solution is, and do find it depressing.

[CounsellorTroi]

I found the cotton ones a bit suffocating at the height of summer, but at this time of year I find them nice and warm.

[WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants]

If you don't wear glasses the 'which' recommends the black ones that boots/Ocado/other places sell, NEQI are lovely. They're SO soft, but utterly hopeless with glassses.

[MerryChristmas9792]

Thanks all. These cotton masks I’ve got just aren’t comfortable. I feel like they are being sucked onto my face when I breathe like a plastic bag (ott I know). But I have had no problems with surgical type.

@Flibbertigibbet2211 I do too to a certain extent. Like if I wear a surgical type on the school run I will re use it on the afternoon school run!

I am grateful I have never had to wear a mask for hours on end. I do feel for those who do! 🌸

[SlopesOff]

@tallduckandhandsome

No, cotton mask should be breathable. I can wear my cotton masks for hours (did so on Saturday when I took parent to hospital) but surgical masks feel uncomfortable.

I bought mine on eBay, from a seller who makes them at home using cotton Catholic Kidston fabric. It’s very comfortable and breathable.

Do you wear them religiously?

[thenightsky]

You don't need to wear one outside. I've managed with home made cotton ones from the start. I made mine from a you tube video.

[ursuslemonade]

Catholic Kidston

[CaptainVanesHair]

Have you tried the all in one stretchy ones? Cotton are best for lots of reasons, but the stretchy ones barely move and I find you forget you’ve got them on. Essentially there’s not enough give in the fabric once they’re stretched over your ears for them to be sucked in, plus they don’t ride up into your eyes.

[tallduckandhandsome]

Do you wear them religiously?

Oops haha!

[SlopesOff]

I make my own (and for other people). I use either brand new thinner fabric or recycled and soft.

I also ensure that there is space for the nose, a thicker seam down the centre that sits away from the nose, rather than the pleated ones.

I do this because every mask I bought was horribly hot and clingy and I couldn't breathe, so kept making them until I found a style that worked.

[MerryChristmas9792]

@thenightsky the school have requested we wear masks on the school run which is all outside. Not great when it’s tipping down with rain! 😫

[LittleSwede]

I bought some from Next too and can't breathe in them. Got one from Amazon in the spring which I keep washing an re wearing because it's much easier to breathe through. The disposable ones are much more comfortable but must be terrible for the environment.

[MerryChristmas9792]

Thank you. It may be because they aren’t well made. I will order an alternative!

[KarlKennedysDurianFruit]

We have seasalt ones with adjustable ear straps which are comfortable and breathable. I find pleated more comfortable than the shaped ones generally.

[KarlKennedysDurianFruit]

We had locally handmade ones before and I found them as you describe

[SimonJT]

I wear the masks in the link below, I don’t have any problems breathing etc, I wear mine to the gym. They do have metal in the nose area, so when I have worn them with sunglasses they haven’t steamed up.

silverdrop.co.uk/collections/face-mask-with-filter

[eenymeenyminyme]

The 'disposable' blue & white ones are machine washable, you don't have to throw them away!

I discovered this by accident and have rewashed many times since and they're fine.

[Herja]

Are they the toght ones? I made pleated and ruched ones, so while they're tight around the edges, theyre lose across my mouth and nostrils. I would try some with a bit more fabric in the face bit.

Mine are a bit warm (they have 2 high thread count cotton layers and 2 filter layers), but I regularly wear them for 6+ hours (though I change the mask for fresh ones every hour or so) with no comfort issues.

[Northernsoullover]

@eenymeenyminyme I ended up accidentally washing mine too. They came out in perfect condition!
I cannot wear fabric ones they make me feel suffocated. I wonder if many of those who say they cannot wear a mask have actually tried a surgical one. My lovely dad who has copd manages just fine in a surgical one.

[Simplyunacceptable]

I feel like I’m suffocating when I wear mine too but obviously still deal with it because them’s the rules. It was worse during the summer when I was heavily pregnant and had to sit in a stuffy hospital waiting room. I was too afraid to lift it down to drink water too so felt like I was going to faint.

[Skysblue]

They vary so much OP, I have one (several layers of thick cotton) that I can’t breathe through at all, and another cotton one thet is fine. Muslin or silk is better.

My fave at the moment is this as so thin and easy to pull up and down
www.amazon.co.uk/your-orders/pop/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_pop?gen=canonical&lineItemId=jmpjmrkskkroqoy&orderId=205-2348620-2021140&_encoding=UTF8&shipmentId=DX0jRSYRL&packageId=1&asin=B08B8SDGF4&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Tarantallegra]

I haven't found any decent cotton ones either. I wear glasses and they all steam up whereas the surgical ones are properly bendy. I also have a really small head so "one size fits all" doesn't ever fit me and kids ones are good for staying on but then don't cover my mouth and nose properly. I hate using anything disposable like this but I'm also fed up of throwing money at companies that are too tight to even offer different sizes for men and women let alone head sizes. I'm working from home and only really go out for hospital/midwife appointments though so like you, I don't get through very many.