Home made face masks

[Ecci]

There's a bewildering array of information on-line about this. Some have a pocket to put a filter in, some are made from toilet paper. I've seen a report that says masks made from tea towels are as good as the ones the NHS use. Does anyone know what type is most effective and have a link to a pattern?

[DamnMyImmuneSystem]

I posted about this yesterday - apparently not of interest to many people

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3857798-Homemade-face-masks-with-research

[DetroitLake]

A bra cup has a ready made pocket. Cut the elastic off, and sew to the sides. Coffee filter soaked in salt water and dried. Wash after each use.

I'll try take photos of mine. I used my old A cups.

I did put a bandanna over the top so I looked like an outlaw not a tit.

[ADreamOfGood]

DH also read the research you had, @DamnMyImmuneSystem. I think he expected me to crack on and start a cottage industry...
He seems to have forgotten that I'm WFH, as well as supervising two children with schoolwork, cooking all meals, doing all the shopping (he's in 12weeks isolation).

[JenNtonic]

I thought this was going to involve olive oil / sugar scrub/ avocado etc 😁

[Soontobe60]

Are you serious? A home made mask will be about as effective as a home made condom.
It's not about not breathing in the virus. It's about maintaining a 2 m distance, not touching your face at all, and hand washing.

[DetroitLake]

Not instead of those measures as well as.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440799/

[dementedpixie]

If I used my bra it would cover my whole head

[DetroitLake]

Hah! My b cups were a bit big, but my old A cups worked. I always wanted bigger boobs, I guess there has to be some benefits to being small of boob.

[dementedpixie]

Mine are GG. I could fit everyone's head in it

[DetroitLake]

[Rosegoldglass]

Opened this thinking ooh my skin could do with a nice homemade mask (avocado or something)

[Ecci]

@soontobe60 I am serious. Wearing a mask means that you are much less likely to touch your face. It's not instead of the other precautions, it's as well as.
@DamnMyImmuneSystem I read that research also, but not sure I believe it. I couldn't find any verification from other sources and I find it hard to believe that tea towels could be as effective as they claim.
@DetroitLake Great idea, looking forward to seeing the pics.

[ADreamOfGood]

@Soontobe60 actually, read the research- homemade from tea towels are actually rather effective. Even a double layer of old t-shirt is effective in cutting down a huge percentage of microbes.

[letsjog]

Would be fab to see a picture @DetroitLake

[ChippyMinton]

I’ve been making two styles - one a hospital style and the other a more fitted style.
Mine are 3 layers - two layers of closely woven cotton with a layer of t-shirt fabric sandwiched in between.
There are loads of patterns around because in the USA hospitals are calling for supplies are they are almost as effective as the medical masks.

[WiseUpJanetWeiss]

It's not about not breathing in the virus

Well it kind of is. Also, if we all wore them those of us who were infected would be spraying fewer droplets onto other people and surfaces.

[ChippyMinton]

www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/20/calling-all-people-who-sew-and-make-you-can-help-solve-2020-n95-type-mask-shortage/#79049df74e41

[HermioneWeasley]

You need to replace masks as soon as they become damp, which is roughly every 30 mins

You need a scrupulously clean face and hands - you’re more likely to trap the virus under there and force yourself to breathe it in.

There is no evidence they help prevent spread

[DetroitLake]

Just washing my used one, so started on this new one.

Foam cup, with covering fabric. I will pop the coffee filter soaked in salt water between those layers.

I'm toying with using the back strap as a band on this one. I used the top straps on the other.

Sorry about the crappy photos, I'm no crafter either, so it won't be pretty. But better than nothing.

If we can pull together to try and get through this, I'm sure crafty people can make them less ugly.

[Ecci]

This is my attempt at making a face mask from a bra cup. DH has been very scathing about it.