Can anyone advise on the best reusable face masks to get. Have been using the disposable medical masks but hate adding to the plastic waste probem. Just can't seem to get a fix on what features are worth paying more for and what's just marketing hype. Thanks
Advice on face masks: Can anyone advise... - Positive Wellbein...
Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation
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Advice on face masks
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Aoki
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I know what you mean. All these masks and gloves adding to the plastic mountain. You can pay a bit extra and buy material ones that go in the washing machine. That must be more environmentally friendly than all these disposable ones. It fills me with horror to think about all the waste. It’s such a shame as we’ve only just got to grips with bags for life and now this comes along.
I have been using cloth ones but do have the disposable ones too. In fact I got some that were made for charity by special needs children so it helped two causes. Cost was a donation of choice to the charity per mask. The cloth ones can always be washed in the sink and dried quite quickly if you run out. I wash my hand splints like that too .
Thanks katieoxo . Like the idea of a charity donation.
Yes. It's just awful isn't it. I'm determined on reusable but there's such a huge choice and I'm a bit baffled by how to choose the best and safest
I got some nice ones from Etsy. 3 layers but easy to breath through. They also have removable filters for extra protection - I think they were included, but not sure.
When I read about masks, I read the best bet is cotton ones that are washable, I wash mine in Hot soapy water, rinse them out well, then lay them in the sun to bake and dry.....I wish you well.......sending love n hugs.....
SORRELHIPPOReading Rabbits
I can recall seeing an assessment of different kinds of masks, the one thing I can remember from this, was that using a face covering, by pulling up a fleece neck covering, made it unsafer for the "others" you were trying to protect. I think this was on the British Lung Foundation Site here on HU. It certainly appears to be true, that the more efficient the mask, the more difficult it is to breath, until you get to the ones with valves.
Thanks. I was wondering about the ones you pull up. Shall avoid now.
I wash the medical ones
Gosh. Didn't think that was possible. Will certainly wash my remaining medical ones now. Thanks
I didnt know that either, there's been such a lot of press about throwing them away safely. Will certainly try a wash next time xx
Yessss I too wash the medical ones, and I have some cheaper ones I wear with a coffee filter inside of it, but sometimes the coffee filter sticks to my lips because of my lip balm 
. I may have to pleat the coffee filters like the mask, or I will have to find a way to tak the pleated coffee filter down on the edges without sewing. Maybe I can try to use a small drop of non toxic (kid use) wood glue, which is water soluble. 
I also sometimes wear (2) cheaper cloth mask at a time, and wash them pleat them back in position before drying them flat to use again . I truly no how to re-purpose, re-use, and recycle :). I don't wear gloves anymore, they were just too hot, and sweaty during this summer heat, but I do carry a bottle of bleach/water concoction that is a stronger concoction than the WHO/CDC recommends. I spray my hand, or every outside button, door knob,etc,and shopping cart I have to touch. Yessss I spray my fingers before I insert my ATM/credit card, and touch the screen to complete my transactions. Yessss I may be overly cautious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The other option is to be unable to reverse bodily organ damage from Covid-19, or even worse to die from the ravages of Covid-19. I will do my part, and I know GOD will do the rest. I try to leave as little a foot print on the earth while navigating this life journey :).
Me to combere,. Medical ones can be washed and reused up to three times. Surgical ones in an intense environment like when I work in a pharmacy shoild be charged every two hours, do not touch front of mask ie outside surface when removing.
Remove by strings
Fold and dispose safely or wash and reuse one more time
I'm having problems too. My son's girlfriend made me a couple but I'm struggling to find any online that don't have the elastic around the ears as the means of securing them. I have inflamed, red, itchy, sore ears so need masks that tie behind my head. Does anyone know of any good ones? Thanks.
Also, I've read that the masks with valves defeat the point of wearing a mask since, if the ventilation is increased so is the risk of transmitting the virus, and we wear masks mainly to stop us transmitting not catching.
Hi Whippet lady, exactly right on masks with valves. On the fit behind the ears could you simply replace the elastic with a longer one to go round your head? Or if it can't be replaced cut it and tie or sew on a longer one? Flat elastic would be better than round I think.
Out if curiosity just did a search on Amazon. They have loads of options for modifying ear fitting to head fittings. Best of luck
Thank you. I'm always a bit wary of Amazon because of fake reviews so prefer word of mouth but I'll have a look, thanks.
We use them all the time, absolute life line for us during lockdown delivering things we couldn't otherwise get in in little Spanish seaside village.
Some hints
Best to get things sold by amazon or at least fulfilled by amazon. That way if there's an issue you get your money back, no arguments.
If you can't get the above check its not coming direct from China, you could wait weeks!
Have a look at the negative reviews and balance out what they are saying.
Or you could try ebay and maybe get a small UK seller
Yes I'd prefer tie behind ones also but the few I've seen online seem to have other faults. If I find anything good I'll report back.
Hundreds to choose from but I noticed World Heath Authority recommend three ply.
We bought from different sources but good choice on Groupon.
Good luck 😃
Thanks. I'll certainly try Groupon.
We used FFP3 (top grade) face masks in our hobbies and had just bought some, so we thought we would use those. They have a vent but I blocked it. But they have a rubber rim so make your face sore. Next we bought a box of disposables from Amazon, bought the 'most sold' on Amazon here in Spain. They were useless, small and flimsy so we got our money back. Then we bought a pack of three 'micro fibre' masks, with space for filters. the filter material didn't stay put but they were rather thin without it, they were very clingy so very hot to wear.
So, I've cut up some sheets I no longer use, high thread count. Tried three layers but that was very hard to breath through, so now producing double layer high thread count. I have bought some metal nose strips and some little plastic widget to put on the elastic to get it to fit well. They are brilliant, a good compromise between protection and comfort. I use a method based on a circle, getting size right for you is the first task but once you have your patterns its a doddle.
Otherwise you can pay a lot of money for reusable masks, and as you need at least three (wear one, wash one and a spare) that adds up.
If you can sew, particularly if you have a machine, dust it off and make your own.
I fear I'm useless at sewing and have steeled myself to spend a small fortune on good cloth ones. I'll look for ones that are something like what you're making . Thanks.
Sorry Jerry but you should not use masks with a valve. Masks primarily protect others from you, and a valve simply turns you exhale into a jet. Some places are banning them.
Ah! valves not good. Thanks Margaretpaloma
Hi Aoki, I applaud you for thinking of the planet during this crisis. Of course safety comes first but we do have to think of the long-term effects of this sudden extra use of plastic in disposable masks and of the knock-on effects of the careless disposal of many used ones which sadly we are now seeing more and more.
I wouldn't overthink the mask situation if I were you. It's still acceptable to wear any covering of your choosing, the rationale being that what helps is just to cover your mouth and nose, and with infection numbers going down, it seems that there is no particular merit in seeking out any particular type of reusable mask. I'd pick something that's comfortable to wear and easy to wash and dry.
There are all sorts of rumours and opinions out there, sadly even from medically trained people who should know better, but the big thing is to keep your mouth and nose covered in public places.
Aoki in reply to
Thanks Callendersgal. You've calmed my nerves a bit. I guess I am overthinking it and should just get on with buying something reasonable.
I have read research from reputable sites which say that cotton is the best material for masks. I have found that cotton material masks with material loops you can adjust to fit are the best for me, as I find the ones with elastic either rub the back of my ears as they are too tight, or the whole mask is too tight making it difficult to breathe.
I have also come across research which says do not use the ones with valves. It all made sense. Hope that helps.
How very useful all these posts are. I'd no idea that valves were a no no until coming on this site. So glad I did. Thanks WheezyAnne.
You can reuse disposable masks too
cbc.ca/news/technology/face... (scroll down to reusing disposable masks).
I have a stock of paper bags - when I take one off, I write the date and time on the bag and leave it for 3 days and then use it again. They advise against using plastic ziploc bags as the virus stays longer on plastic.
Even cloth masks have a "shelf life" - and the number of uses is hard to track I find. We are told here in France that they can be worn a minimum of 10 washes - after that they become less effective. It's hard to find exact info on how true that is.
We have, as a family, adopted disposable masks that we reuse (with 3 day breaks in a paper bag) until they are dirty or damaged. I hate the waste and make sure they are properly disposed of, but trying to track the number of uses a cloth mask has had when I wash them, for 4 people is beyond my capabilities what with working, single-parenting 3 children and 2 dogs. I also find (seasonally asthmatic) that cloth masks are more difficult for me.
Gosh backintime. My congratulations on coping with this and all the myriad other covid 19 issues and worries with three children and dog to look after. I find it hard enough going when it's just me to look after , wash everything for etc etc etc. I shall follow your advice on "quarantining " the disposable ones. Thanks
There is also this news article that I found, it might help you make your decisions
Hello Aoki
I feel sorry for you having to sort through all the current medical studies on which face masks are best. I wear a cloth mask which is washable. I don't view the paper disposable masks as effective as 3M N95 medical masks. The paper masks however are disposable as medical incinerated waste. There have been several articles detailing how not to use masks with vents in masks. What they don't tell you is that there are masks with vents which are very good. I have both an industrial N95 mask with vent as well as my cloth mask with vent. The industrial vented mask is not effective. You can not see the vent on the inside of my cloth mask because it is covered by filter pocket and very effective. In any case I suspect any type of mask is better than none at all, if not worn pulled down to chin.
Hi, I have been using the face shields that can be clipped onto my glasses, I also purchased for a friend of mine the visors with glasses attached for her to use as she also didn’t get on with the masks, Amazon have them on their site , mine I ordered from face shields Hope this helps 😊
Thanks Loopylorre. I'll investigate face shields. What a wonderful lot of info I've had from this site. So good to be in touch with everyone.
Hope you manage to sort something out that suits you better 😊
Thanks Jerry
Thanks Jerry. I will try to find a cloth mask ith a valve protected by a filter -- see further down reply.
Yes will definitely get cloth ones but are some better/safer than others? Why can't the scientists make some clear recommendations?
I have COPD and wear glasses. I find the face shields from Amazon US and Amazon UK are absolutely fabulous. They do not restrict your breathing, steam up your glasses, need constant adjustment with your fingers, get wet and uncomfortable or give you a fungal mask rash. You can wear them for hours and forget you have one on. They are much cheaper than masks. You don’t have to launder them, or dispose of them regularly, simply give them a wipe with Windex.
Here’s looking at you! Elizabeth.
Thanks Sierrastar. These shields do sound a good idea. I too have a steamed up glasses problem!! Gosh isn't life complicated these days.
🥰
Hi all. I bought mulberry silk masks. Bit pricy but so much more comfortable to wear. Xx
Hi Aoki. I got them from eBay. Company is in the UK. Is that where you are ? Xx
Thanks Janice xxx
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