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?

I don't have any problem breathing with the homemade ones (that don't squash my nose).

It is just that breathing out is a damp business and leaves them like a sauna so that by the end of a hospital appointment I am very dribbly (sorry).

I make my own and sell on Etsy - there are thousands on there. I’d advise paying a bit more for woven cotton rather than jersey and get the adjustable ear loops things.

Using the item I have linked to may make cloth masks more comfortable for you. I have been using them, and they really help. What I found was that if I was talking a lot, my cloth mask would feel uncomfortable around my mouth.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3D-Face-Mask-Inner-Support-Frame-Silicone-Mouth-Mask-Bracket-Washable-Holder-Lot-/293757041984?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

I don't attach the brackets to the mask, I just position it on my face and put a mask on over it.

The cotton ones are awful! I only use the surgical ones as I find them much nicer (but have to admit, I re-use them quite a few times!)

Cotton fabrics vary a lot in their breathability, depending on thickness/weave density etc. I've looked into this because I've been making masks and I also have breathing issues. I use the Burda style Mask 1 free online pattern and it is great for glasses wearers because you can 'wire' the top edge to reduce misting.

I have to wear the disposable masks at work and find them more comfortable and easy to breath in but I think it's because they don't fit closely so they are easier to breath round (they do still get wet, if it's raining enough!). I actually think the home made ones do much better in terms of fit but there is a trade off in terms of breathability versus droplet filtration.

If you can't tolerate a cotton mask (and they do take some getting used to), have you tried a bandana/buff or similar? Failing that, find a friend with a sewing machine and some fabric that you can breath through - if I was making for you, I would be using scraps of reclaimed fabric eg old bedding which are a bit thinner for a 2 layer mask with J-cloth as and optional middle layer.

The surgical ones are definitely better...even though not particularly easy on the eye!! They do wash well and just remember to cut the ear straps before disposal to help the wildlife ,if one accidentally finds one .

You need to make sure you have sufficient (3?) layers of sufficiently closely woven material. If your face mask feels so light you are barely aware you are wearing it, the mask may not be providing you and your loved ones any protection.
Try and build up your familiarity with the mask so you get used to it.

I have a disabled friend and she started a project of making masks and donating the profits to the children's hospital that she was practically a resident of for her whole childhood. They helped her to be able to live a normal (ish) life, so she really wanted to do this, and was passionate about selling as many as possible.

We bought one each (for £15!!) and then when they turned up they were too small for our faces (my head isn't massive or anything) and when we wore them it felt as though we were breathing in cotton fibres as it was making us cough and I could feel something at the back of my throat. So we stopped wearing them.

But the point is, not just any piece of fabric will do. There are definitely some that are better than others!

Wet masks are pointless - they need to be dry to work.

Do you have an umbrella?

We have three layer neoprane masks, cotton masks and viru-fabricy ones with filter inserts - prefer the neoprane ones when it's cold and wet, but do have to keep them dry.

If I was making for a 'dribbly person' I would be looking at synthetic or synthetic mix fabrics!

I bought a pleated cotton type with a pocket for a wire as I wear glasses - lovely mask but I just don't like it. I find the surgical ones much easier (especially if I use an ear saver thing) to make sure they fit tightly. I reuse mine loads of times as I'm only wearing them on school run - I rotate them

I think, perhaps counter-intuitively, you need something made of thicker, stiffer fabric - I'm fine with one of those but I borrowed one of the ones that DH's school gave all their staff and it was absolutely horrible, it felt like I was sucking it into my mouth just like you say. His mask feels like it's made almost out of knicker material, whereas the ones I bought are made out of the sort of fabric you'd make a shirt out of, and that seems to work far, far better.

Definitely just wash the surgical ones. They are washable. We've washed them loads of times. There were even some studies done recently testing them and they are apparently no less effective after washing. I too find the cotton ones exceptionally hot.

@CoronaBollox

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

Yes I find this

Catholic Kidston is my favourite typo of the year!

I love Catholic Kidston so much it's now my username

I make my own from dress-weight cottons and they're comfy, if warm. I've seen others wearing ccotton jersey masks and wondered about them, but they look too much like underwear on people's faces to me!

My current favourite is a fitted Korean one from Youtube, that makes up a bit like origami.

You need the biggest size though, and it doesn't work for DH with his big nose and chin .

I had to make him a custom-built one with a seam down the middle. He says the breathablility is the same as the one he was using before (the sort of cone thing you use for diy)

It's what you get used to, essentially. I wear both and find it takes me a few minutes to get used to the other type.

Have you washed it? Try washing with detergent but no conditioner to preserve the breathability.

I bought mine from etsy and they are fine.

Are you wearing them upside down? They are generally made to contour to your face (with space for your nose) so if you put them on upside down they are uncomfortable

I recommend the NEQI ones (Boots, Ocado). They're triple layer, breathable, performed extremely well on the Which? test for filtering, and are the most comfortable and easy to wear. We've tried probably 20 different designs of cotton ones from Etsy etc, all ok, but after trying NEQI everyone in the family converted. They're really soft, and in the cold winter air I actually quite like wearing them.

The best ones I found are from the pound shop! They're the only ones that don't slip down past your nose

i thought the surgical ones werent washable otherwise how come the nhs just throw them away