Reusable face masks

[ithoughtitwouldbeokay]

Looking for recommendations for washable face masks for adults, preferably buying online please. Getting far too confused with the varieties available. Thank you.

I have the ones from Boden. They come in a pack of 3. Good quality.

I've recently bought these www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-reusable-and-adjustable-adult-face-coverings/p/hbp60484727 from M & S which are great (as far as face masks go - I really don't like wearing them) but look to be out of stock now.

I’ve bought several kinds. Some were pretty rubbish, and price doesn’t seem to be a good measure. You need to decide really if you want shaped or pleated. I def prefer pleated, and have found Boden the best. I got shaped ones from REW, found them really poor, and also not-very-nice customer service, but others love them. Got a couple on Etsy that were also pretty poor. Problem is none can be returned so I felt I wasted a bit of money.

Boden ones have been washed a fair bit now, and have held up well.

I've got some from Gap and some from Baukjen. The Gap ones fit best, the Baukjen ones are quite big.

mabelandmu.co.uk/collections/dog-print-masks-by-mabel-mu

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/accessories/face-coverings

I just got some from a couple of local makers. DD and DH have boring plain ones only, I have some nice patterned ones.

I think it must be very individual as I can’t cope with pleated ones ( squash my nose and steam up my specs). I’ve also wasted money trying to find ones that work. I got some shaped linen ones from Plumo- light comfortable and soft and easy to fit in my pocket or bag so I’ve always got one with me! I had to tie knots in the ear elastics as I have a small head. DH got on better with a large pleated one from France, and ds ( with sn) mostly prefers disposables - but can cope with the Men’s Plumo shaped one! I also like my Paisie 2 piece mask and takes a filter because there is an adjustable nosepiece- and I like breton stripes- but it would not fit a larger face!

I've wasted so much money on masks and I still can't find one that fits properly! They all seem to be made for people with round faces as I have saggy elastic (which I obviously knot) and gaps. They work their way up or down when I'm talking so I end up having to adjust them as it's very difficult to have a serious conversation when your mask is working it's way up to your eyes!

The best ones I've found are from Troop London. They don't fit perfectly but they are face coverings so they'll do and they're reasonably priced.

I got one from Mabel and Mu (pp has posted link above) after being recommended them on here. I've been getting on well with it!

Are the Mabel and Mu ones 3 layer?

I’ve given up on cloth ones. I know it’s really bad, and I have major guilt over it, but I am much more comfortable in disposable ones.

My gap ones dont seem to be 3 layer although it says 3 ply i think?

Mine came from here
I’ve got two at the moment, but may get some more as they’re quite comfortable.

£9.13 cotton washable masks for 5. Amazon prime, "Oscar apparels reusable face mask"

This is what we are using and they fit DC and myself very well, v comfy and can breathe through them, they aren't medical ones FFP3s or N95s but do the basic job

@PinkSparklyPussyCat i suspect this is why

www.waterstones.com/book/invisible-women/caroline-criado-perez/9781784706289

If you are even remotely competent at sewing - whether by machine or by hand - then making your own does enable you to tell the size to make them as comfortable as possible for you. I made my dad some that were a bit longer in the face to accommodate his beard!

Tweak the size, even.

I have homemade with head loops (around the back of the head) rather than ear loops cos I find it much more comfortable.

It is the luck of finding the one that fits. Mine just happens to be a lion one so I ordered others from the same seller. I now have a cat and dog one too!

I've bought four different ones now, as well as the surgical masks. As mentioned above, they slip when talking. Tried adjusting elastic which makes it worse. Anyone have any advice on how to stop them skipping, or the best styles.

ifonly4 To stop them slipping you need a nose bar. Bend it quite firmly into a _ / \ _ shape so it really grips your nose.

I started making them early in lockdown for other people and to build a stockpile. I made lots of shaped ones and a few pleated.
I have only started going out in the last month and now that I have actually worn the masks I've found that I much prefer the pleated ones.

The shaped ones look much nicer but even with a nose bar they slip down when you speak. Plus because they are more fitted I find they are harder to breathe in.
Pleated ones are bulkier but if you fit the nose bar as above and pull below your chin they don't ride down. Plus more air inside so a bit less claustrophobic.

I have a number of the Gap masks, both adult and children size, and they're comfortable to wear, and have the nose wire. DS (11 but small) and I wear the children's size, DD (who is bigger than me) and DH wear the adult sizes. When I wear the adult ones, I have to put slip knots into the elastics. DH had to shave off his full-on "Castaway"-style beard though!

I also have one from StemPunkWear, that I saw recommended on another thread. It's soft cotton with two layers and a pocket for a filter, and nose wire. It's really well made, and the fabrics they have are pretty funky. It fits DD, DS, and me (and we all like that one the best of all the masks we have!).

I have made a couple...but we don't speak ill of the afflicted

I got a big stack of these, I notice they're out of stock now but you might be able to get them elsewhere. They're really comfortable and fit snugly but not too tight. I usually line them with a sheet of strong kitchen roll.