What is the Best Material for DIY Face Masks

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With the world in crisis-mode due to the dreaded COVID-19 virus, face mask has now become a big part of our daily lives, and our “new normal” when we must leave the comforts and safety of our homes to venture outside. While you may be lucky to buy face masks at your nearby store or pharmacy, most are unable to find. Based on the CDC recommendations of “wearing cloth face masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies),” many are now making their own fabric face masks. But, how safe are these DIY mask, and are they really protecting us?

 

“Smart Air, a social enterprise and certified B-Corp that promotes cost-effective, data-backed air filters as a solution to indoor particulate air pollution, has released the results of their latest research on DIY face mask materials. They tested over 30 different materials ― including bra pads, coffee filters, pillowcases, electrostatic cloths, cotton T-shirts, wool, bedsheets, polyester, bandanas, and more, for their effectiveness in filtering coronavirus-sized microparticles, as well as their breathability.”

 

While DIY face masks are no guaranteed protection against COVID-19, based on the study by Smart Air and a combination of breathability and filtration effectiveness, below are a their top five best fabrics to consider for DIY face masks.

 

  • Denim
  • Bed Sheets
  • Paper Towel
  • Canvas
  • Shop Towel

 

To find out more about how the Smart Air testing was done and the other materials that did not pass the test, check out – “The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To a New Study” Yahoo.com.

 

And remember, no matter what your mask is made of, make sure to wear it responsibly.