

How to make a homemade cloth face mask in 5 minutes

No sewing required!

With the news that the UK government has just advised people (aside from children under two) to start wearing face masks on public transport or at the shops, now seems the perfect time to whip up your own cloth face mask at home.

A multitude of countries around the world have already made wearing masks a compulsory measure when out in public. This could happen further down the line in the UK, particularly with lockdown measures starting to slowly ease from now on, but even if it's not made compulsory, making your own at home seems to be a practical option for now.

Do masks really work?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that healthy people do not need to wear a mask, but those who are feeling unwell and are coughing and sneezing, as well as caring for someone who is infected, should do so.

While the mask doesn't actually protect the wearer, it can protect those you might come into contact with, especially if you're asymptomatic and don't realise you could be carrying the infection.

'Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water,' the WHO said.

The main reason masks haven't been recommended by the UK government so far, were to ensure enough supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) were available for healthcare workers and those working on the frontline of the pandemic. Hence why even now, the government are now suggesting various ways of making your own cloth mask at home on their website.

Here's the no-sew method we've been using:

How to make a homemade face mask

It couldn't be easier to make your own cloth face mask at home, all you need are the following tools:

  • Bandana or piece of breathable cloth like a t-shirt, plaid pyjamas, linen shirt or cotton bedsheets, roughly 50cm sq.
  • Two elastic bands or thin hair bobbles

    You don't even need access to a sewing machine, with this simple no-sew method, you can have a homemade cloth face mask in as little as two minutes – and it's completely reusable, as long as it's washed correctly.

    Step 1

    Product, Pattern, Technology, Plaid, Solar power, Textile, Design, Solar energy, Solar panel, Denim,

    Fold the cloth in half, elastic bands set to the side.

    Step 2

    Technology, Floor, Solar power, Electronic device, Hand, Flooring, Pattern, Solar energy, Wood, Table,

    Fold the cloth in half again, lengthways and slip one of the bands along the outside, until it's about a third of the way down.

    Step 3

    Pattern, Jeans, Pocket, Design, Textile, Denim, Shorts, Floor, Wallet, Tie,

    Slip the other band about a third of the way along on the other side of the folded cloth, then fold the outer third segment of the cloth into the middle, as shown.

    Step 4

    Floor, Flooring, Jeans, Denim, Pocket, Hardwood, Design, Hand, Pattern, Textile,

    Lift the top layer of fabric up and tuck the other side of the folded cloth under the flap you've created, so one side lies underneath the top layer of the other side.

    Step 5

    Face, Hair, Skin, Nose, Cheek, Head, Chin, Neck, Glasses, Forehead,

    Pull the bands out to the side, and you have a no-sew, homemade cloth face mask, all made in under two minutes! If you want an extra filter, slip a segment of kitchen towel between the two layers of cloth on the front of your face, and change this filter each time you wear it. You can see in the image how to secure the mask onto your face by simply pulling on and tucking the bands behind your ears.

    How to use (UK government recommendations)

    1. While making the face mask is pretty straightforward, you'll need to follow a few simple hygiene rules when wearing the mask, taking it off and washing it afterwards, to ensure no bugs from the outside of the face mask touch direct skin.
    3. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off and after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.
    6. When wearing a face covering, take care to tuck away any loose ends.

        It's advisable to make two masks that you can interchange, especially if you're doing something slightly more strenuous outside that might result in the mask becoming humid and damp.




        SIGN UP

        Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
        More From What To Wear