Facial Masks - Coronavirus

[weepingangel]

I wash my cloth masks After every use (Go through about 3-4 a day) In whatever laundry load is Up next. Then Air dried.

Dh keeps an n95 hanging in the car and a cloth mask for back up in the console. He brings it in regularly for washing.

I have no disposable surgical masks but probably wouldn’t reuse them. Have a handful of n95s I would reuse depending on circumstances.

I wash the cloth ones in the washer, just take it off & drop in the washer, wash with whatever arrives next.

I touch-up iron woven fabric as needed, not the tee-shirt fabric ones, so far.

We do have some N-95s and other masks Mr. Laughing has for woodworking finishes & other garage chemicals. Those I clothespin to a metal hanger & leave in direct sunlight, turn to put both sides in the sun. We do not use these much, you know they are pricey.

Mr. Laughing is a retired science teacher. We've read about research using a UV light cabinet designed to sanitize lab googles to sanitize masks. This was successful, so if you have access to a UV cabinet, that's a good method. (He always had access to a high-end water distillation machine, too, wonderful for steam irons....)

I have put the rectangular disposable masks on the car dashboard. If the item is too hot to hold, that's a good sign!

I do keep a spare fabric mask or two in my purse in a baggie, hate to use the plastic but....

Best, Laughing

 

[killarney rose]

We use the pleated cloth masks that I made. If we are out and about and just run in and out once, I leave the masks in the car to reuse again. If they are used all day while out, or for a long period, they go in the laundry to be washed. They get washed with like colors, dried in the dryer, then ironed and hung up to wait for use.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Have any of you worked with silk before? I’ve read that a layer of cotton and a layer of silk is a good idea for masks, but I’m wondering how that actually holds up. I’ve never mixed fabrics.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Have any of you worked with silk before? I’ve read that a layer of cotton and a layer of silk is a good idea for masks, but I’m wondering how that actually holds up. I’ve never mixed fabrics.

Real silk isn’t washable so I can’t imagine using it for a mask?

ETA: the real silk I’ve dealt with is dry clean. I guess hand washing could be an option?

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Real silk isn’t washable so I can’t imagine using it for a mask?

ETA: the real silk I’ve dealt with is dry clean. I guess hand washing could be an option?

I’ve always hand washed the one silk shirt I have. I just don’t know how mixing fabric would work. I guess I will just have to experiment. But yes, people are making silk masks. It’s supposed to have a water repelling quality for one thing.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Someone in the main thread, or maybe here, posted about why silk is good for face masks.

Silk useful as face mask and PPE in COVID-19

The best material for homemade face masks may be a combination of two fabrics

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I also purchased chiffon, based on that second article. It arrived the other day and I cannot comprehend how it could do any good at all. So now I have a yard of very pretty pale pink chiffon that I’m also guessing I would destroy in any attempt to sew it.

The silk I can understand.

 

[Laughing]

Both silk & chiffon are tricky to sew. Long ago in a galaxy far away I worked bridal & tuxedo.

Silk requires a sharp needle, and will dull the appropriate needle and another others you may try. If you're making a dress, blouse, jacket, or slacks from silk plan on 2 needles. You'll also need long thin silk pins, alot of them. The silk is slippery and does not cooperate well with seams. I recommend cutting one layer at a time, the fabric slips on itself making accurate pieces difficult.

Dip everything in distilled water first thing. That way you'll avoid many water stains. Not all, sorry, but many.

Yeah I love to feel silk fabric, knit with silk yarn, wear silk. Dislike silk garment construction.

Might be more realistic to make an Olsen or other design with pocket from the usual cotton & use a rectangle of silk for the filter, if data shows it is more effective than a coffee filter or whatever else you've selected.

YMMV LRR

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Both silk & chiffon are tricky to sew. Long ago in a galaxy far away I worked bridal & tuxedo.

Silk requires a sharp needle, and will dull the appropriate needle and another others you may try. If you're making a dress, blouse, jacket, or slacks from silk plan on 2 needles. You'll also need long thin silk pins, alot of them. The silk is slippery and does not cooperate well with seams. I recommend cutting one layer at a time, the fabric slips on itself making accurate pieces difficult.

Dip everything in distilled water first thing. That way you'll avoid many water stains. Not all, sorry, but many.

Yeah I love to feel silk fabric, knit with silk yarn, wear silk. Dislike silk garment construction.

Might be more realistic to make an Olsen or other design with pocket from the usual cotton & use a rectangle of silk for the filter, if data shows it is more effective than a coffee filter or whatever else you've selected.

YMMV LRR

Thank you for the tips.

It’s also supposed to be better for the skin.

And I found a cruelty free silk called ahimsa. I ordered a yard.

I was unaware of silk pins. I will have to look for these. Do I need silk thread, too?

When you say dip it in distilled water first, do you mean before I sew it?

(Never thought I’d be getting sewing advice on WS. But we are in bizarro world!)

 

[Laughing]

Water spots are a problem with silk. Garments you own have probably been treated very early in the processing to limit this.

The dip in distilled water essentially creates just one water spot across the garment so everything matches.

When making a garment, or bridesmaid's dresses (horrible, simply horrible, the fabric wasn't the only problem with that project no siree) it takes a lot id distilled water but was worth the trouble to the boss.

So now I'll go learn about ahimsa silk!

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Gosh, I'm glad I posted here before starting. I wish I had picked up an extra jug of distilled water while I was out today.

Thank you so much for the tips, Laughing.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I'm going to post two helpful links just in case any of you decide to work with silk because it's cooler and easier on the skin.

How to wash silk

How to sew silk

I really want to get started but I need it to be my day off so I can wash it, let it mostly air dry, and iron it damp.

And then it looks like I could have trouble unless I get a straight stitch plate, which could be expensive. But I'm going to do everything else the right way and hope I won't have to purchase a new plate.

BTW - several sources recommend using cotton thread with silk because you want the thread to be weaker than the fabric in case it gets caught on something. That way, the thread breaks, not the fabric.

 

[Laughing]

You found good advice!!!

 

[155etta]

Sorry if this has already been posted. Great info about masks.
The Best And Worst Face Masks For COVID-19, Ranked by Their Level of Protection

 

[PayrollNerd]

A friend came from TN a few weeks ago and we met for brunch. Her mask was made of mesh..... I didn't say a word. She is back in TN and last week got sick. She is supposed to be moving back to FL tomorrow. I told her to go get tested because that drive back is going to kick her butt. JMO.

Face mask study: Researchers determined which masks are the least effective - CNN

Three-layer surgical masks and cotton masks, which many people have been making at home, also performed well.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thank you for your comments/suggestions about washing cloth masks. The cloth masks that DH and I use were in a "care" package from BCBS and were sent to all Medicare subscribers along with several items. Tags indicate that the masks were made in Vietnam, but there is no mention of fiber content. Even though they are some type of cotton blend, I worry about shrinkage in the washer and/or dryer. That's why I wash them by hand with Ivory Liquid and hot water, rinse thoroughly, and hang them over the laundry room sink to dry. The masks are a very soft knit and definitely don't require ironing. There is no metal or plastic in the masks, but they have a flap (like an apron) that you pull over your nose. When the masks arrived, I told DH that they looked like the cuddly soft knit of "training bras". If you were around in the '50s, you probably know exactly what I mean

 

[Deleted member 158085]

A friend came from TN a few weeks ago and we met for brunch. Her mask was made of mesh..... I didn't say a word. She is back in TN and last week got sick. She is supposed to be moving back to FL tomorrow. I told her to go get tested because that drive back is going to kick her butt. JMO.

Face mask study: Researchers determined which masks are the least effective - CNN

Three-layer surgical masks and cotton masks, which many people have been making at home, also performed well.

Mesh?!

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I should receive my new needles in the mail tomorrow, which means that I can attempt to sew silk. Here's what I decided to try first - use two layers of cotton and then make the pocket silk. I will see how this does for my acne issues.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I have some fabrics that the print is kinda big for the mask pieces. So instead, I am using the Smiles Mask pattern without the clear piece in the center. That way the print isn’t distorted.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I have some fabrics that the print is kinda big for the mask pieces. So instead, I am using the Smiles Mask pattern without the clear piece in the center. That way the print isn’t distorted.

Good idea. I got some beautiful cat fabric that I'm having to place the pattern on strategically to get the cats on the mask. It may cause some waste, but people really want masks in the red one in particular. Granny would not approve of waste...