| MAKE+ has been getting questions about home sewn masks. In response, the research group applied their unique skills and methodology and compiled the following information to guide those wanting to sew masks for their own personal and family use. |
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Introduction
CDC recommends people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.
Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. They are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.
Important:
- Masks do not prevent a person from catching a virus.
- Masks must be used together with other tools such as proper handwashing techniques and social distancing.
NOTE: While masks are strongly encouraged to reduce the spread of COVID-19, there are specific instances when wearing a mask may not be feasible. Masks should not be worn by:
- Children younger than 2 years old
- Anyone who has trouble breathing
- Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
If you decide that making a mask is something you want to do for personal or family use, the links below can assist you in making an effective DIY mask.
Sewing a mask for personal or family use
Typically, medical grade masks must follow standards, and mask manufacture is regulated by government agencies. Home made masks cannot meet these standards. But as medical grade masks are being prioritized for medical workers, some guidance documents are now being created for home made masks. Health Canada currently recommends home made masks include at least 3 layers , with the middle layer being a washable, non-woven polypropylene fabric or a disposable filter.
Instruction on making masks:
- Health Canada has instructions for 3 different masks including a sewn mask, and no sew mask made from a T-shirt or fabric square.
Save your ears!
Wearing a mask can be hard on one’s ears and innovators have developed a solution to protect your ears while wearing your mask.
Putting on and taking off your mask
It doesn’t stop with making a mask, how you put on and take off a mask impacts how well it works. Not doing this right can increase the risk to you and others.
Wearing a mask
- You should not touch or adjust the mask.
- Always assume your hands and mask are dirty.
- If you do touch or adjust the mask, you need to immediately wash your hands.
Taking off your mask
- Before removing the mask – wash your hands first.
- Avoid touching the front of the mask when removing.
- If the mask has a tie at the back – slowly remove mask by untying the straps at the back.
- If the mask has straps behind each ear – slowly remove mask by pulling the strap from behind your ear.
- Place mask directly into washing machine, or into disposable bag.
- WASH HANDS AGAIN.
Learn more about washing your hands:
Learn more about donning and doffing your mask:
- How to wear a surgical mask properly (video)
Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP): Professional arm of the Department of Health for disease prevention and control. - Donning and doffing guidance for procedure masks(video)
The Minnesota Department of Health is a State of Minnesota agency that operates programs for disease prevention and control, health promotion, family and community health, environmental health, health care policy, and regulation of health care providers and facilities.
Caring for you mask
Most home made masks can be washed in your home washing machine (with detergent) and dryer. If you are using a filter, the filter should be removed before washing and replaced with a new one each time the mask is used. You can learn more about how to wash and care for your masks by searching these websites.
More resources
The science
Here are some scientific publications on the effectiveness of masks (home made, surgical and N95:
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- Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic
- Mathematical modeling of the effectiveness of facemasks in reducing the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1)
- Professional and Home-Made Face Masks Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Infections among the General Population
- The First Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Mask Use in Households to Prevent Respiratory Virus Transmission
Best sources for up to date information
There are a number of internationally respected sources of information on the use of personal protective equipment and masks that you should check regularly for updates on the current knowledge and guidance being provided.
Masks
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control
- Health Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Minnesota Department of Health (search for Interim Guidance on Alternative Face Masks)
- Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA)
Personal Protection
FAQ
What materials should I use to make my mask?
- most masks consist of 3 layers:
- Outer layer – this can be made from any readily available material, including tea towels, bedsheets, or Tshirts
- Middle layer- this is where you can include a replaceable filter for added protection. See below for more information.
- Inner layer – this layer should be breathable to minimize retention of moisture and facial heat – consider a dry wicking fabric
- consider using different fabrics on the inside and outside so you can tell which way to wear it
How do I put on and take off my mask?
- Use proper donning and doffing procedures- after you have used your mask you should treat it as though it contained the COVID virus on the outside. See putting on and taking off your mask.
- Do not wear your mask around your neck.
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching your mask.
How can I tell if my mask fits properly?
- ensure the mask covers your nose and mouth, and goes under your chin
- ensure it stays in place during use (you don’t want to touch your mask once it is on)
- ensure there are no gaps along the side, around the nose or under the chin that would allow air and droplets
- your mask should have a shapable nose bridge that maintains its shape over time. It should not kink or break when adjusted.
How do I care for my mask?
- Be sure to wash and dry your mask after each use (your home washing machine and dryer are fine for this)
- If you are using a filter, the filter should be removed before washing and replaced with a new one each time the mask is used.
If I want to use a filter in my mask, what material should I use?
- Health Canada recommends using a replaceable filter in your mask for added protection. Consider a piece of pleated household furnace filter with a high MERV rating (a higher rating means it filters out more of the smaller particles), shop vac filter, or other vacuum bag paper cut to size . NOTE-if you are using a filter layer in your mask, do not pin or iron filter material as this may reduce its effectiveness.
For more information please contact:
Silvia Ursula Raschke, PhD
Principle Investigator, Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology that Enables (CREATE)
Project Leader, MAKE+
BCIT Centre for Applied Research and Innovation
This portal aims to give the reader information on:
- Scientific studies on the effectiveness of masks
- Things to consider in home made mask design
- Links to information from sites on how to make a mask
- Links to sites that show you the safest ways to fit, use, and put on/ take off a mask
- Links to Canadian guidance documents around the use of masks
- Official directives on mask use and personal protection during pandemics from other international sources
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