DIY Cloth Face Mask Ideas You Can Do At Home

A cloth face mask saves you from dust, pollution, foul smell, unwanted air particles and cross contamination.

Medical, surgical masks such as N95 are not easily available to everyone and many times you can do well with a cloth mask also.

Even if you use a WHO approved mask, do you know that it can't be washed, cleaned or disinfected because it gets deformed. So, you must replace it after each usage.

Of course, you won't be buying a mask for everyday use when there is a mask scarcity for health workers, so it makes sense to make a cloth face mask yourself. 

What's more! If you want to serve the community, you can make and donate these easy to make face masks to needy people. 

Moreover, you can make customized beautiful face masks and sell them for a profit.

Are cloth face masks effective?

A simple cloth face mask can save you from thick particles in the air (above 60 microns) and direct contact with an infected person.

Of course, it's effective and saves you from unsuspecting sneezes and coughs around.

But you must have two face masks because you must wash a mask after use.

Secondly, you must never share your mask with anybody. Sharing your mask is not at all caring. It is passing on germs to others.

What fabric is best for making a face mask?

Generally non woven fabric is used for making face mask. It would be best to use 100% cotton material, but any cotton material blend will be okay.

If you are in a situation where it is not possible to procure anything from outside, use your handkerchief, bandana, grocery bag fabric or a T-shirt to make a mask for yourself.

1. Bandana Mask : No Sew Method

Can I Make it without A Sewing Machine?

Yes, you can use your handkerchief, bandana or a scarf to make a temporary face mask. The best part is that you can easily wash and use it as many times as you want.

Steps -

1. You take a handkerchief / bandana,
2. Fold it top down and bottom up. This way its length is reduced to about 4".
3. Bring the width ends to the center and put two elastic hair bands here.
4. Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6" apart.
5. Fold sides to the middle and tuck.
6. Now you can wear your no sew face mask and believe me it's comfortable to wear.

2.  T-Shirt Cloth Mask : No Sew, Glue Method

3. Medical Surgical Mask : Easy Sewing

How do you Sew a fabric Face mask?

There are many ways to sew a cloth face mask but most popular, effective and acceptable are the surgical face mask (pleated strip types) and N95 model types.

Both these masks are easy to make and you can make them in no time even if you are sewing for the first time.

Are cloth masks washable?

Yes, you can wash your home made cloth face masks. But if it is a market made mask, read the instructions carefully before washing.

Most of the masks available in the market are single time use. Only cloth masks can be washed.

What kind of filter goes in a face mask?

Masks protect against floating droplets

N95 respirators are tight-fitting and filter out at least 95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

What material do I need to make it?

To make your own mask at home, you're going to need quilting fabric, elastic, a sewing kit/sewing machine or fabric glue, depending on the route you choose for crafting

4. Face Mask with Nose Grip : Easy Sewing