Face Masks

WILL YOU MASK FOR ME?

Protect Yourself. Protect Everyone.

Wearing a mask and following the social distancing guidelines is the best way to slow the transmission of this virus.

Slow the Spread

When no one wears a mask

When you wear a mask

When everyone wears a mask

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What do you want to do?

Cut and Fold Fabric

Cut and Glue Fabric

Cut and Sew Fabric

3D Print a Rigid Mask

Georgia Tech Recommendations:

Mask Materials

Test whether your fabric is suitable for a cloth mask

Use this simple and easy to do at home test to find out whether the fabric you have selected is suitable for a protective mask.

Fabric Test

DO:

Tightly woven, knitted, or non-woven fabrics.
We find that cotton or polyester/cotton blend t-shirts are likely acceptable; thicker fabric is usually better.

Cotton or polyester/cotton blend t-shirts; thicker is usually better.

High threadcount pillowcases; thicker is usually better.

Matte reusable shopping bags (as an outer shell for cloth mask)

Halyard surgical gowns. 2-layers are preferred, 1-layer is sufficient.

DON’T:

HEPA/MERV/Vacuum bag (on their own unless they are certified to be fiberglass-free).
A HEPA filter on its own may release glass fibers that can be inhaled. 

Loosely knitted like those found in light sweaters.

Batting fabric

Felt fabric

Fleece fabric

Shiny, reusable shopping bags

Mask Wearing and Hygiene

DO:

Wash hands before putting on mask!
Don’t contaminate mask before putting it on.

Make sure mask fits snug to face.
Mask should cover mouth and nose with no gaps between face and mask.
Ok to touch the mask a little to properly adjust. 
The mask should include multiple layers of fabric. 
The mask should allow for breathing without restriction. 

Keep hands away from mask or face while out.

Still maintain 6 feet distance from others while wearing mask.

Remove mask by straps.
Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth when removing the mask. The mask works by capturing germs.  Touching the front part of mask that you breath through could expose you to a concentrated quantity of viruses.

Immediately Dispose of or Drop Mask in Washing Machine.

Wash your hands after mask removal!

DON’T:

Don’t get closer than 6 feet to other individuals even when wearing a cloth mask.

Don’t wear the mask over just your nose or just your mouth. Cover both!

Don’t touch the mask while wearing it. If you do, wash your hands!

Don’t re-use a mask for multiple errands.  Wash or get a new disposable mask for a second outing.

Don’t use N95 or other advanced respirators unless you are a healthcare worker or are in a high-risk group (e.g., immunosuppressed).

Don’t continue to wear a cloth mask that gets wet or is sneezed / coughed on by another individual. Change mask as quickly as possible when at a safe distance. Wet cloth masks could transport viruses more quickly. (Bring an extra mask along with you in a clean, dry ziplock bag.)

Mask Cleaning and Storage

If clean, store mask in a clean Ziplock bag when not in use. 

Wash routinely. 

To wash, launder the mask often in your washing machine in HOT water (160 degrees F), using soap or detergent that does not leave a residue. Rinse well with fresh water and then hang to air dry. 

For non-cloth masks, you can also disinfect the mask by soaking for five minutes in a solution of two tablespoons of bleach per quart (liter) of water, or 1/3 cup (80 mL) of bleach per gallon (3.84 liter) of water. Make sure to rinse the mask well and hang to air-dry.

If you would like to make an additional filter for your mask, some suggestions are given here:

Do-It-At-Home Filter Designs

Mask Use
and Hygiene

The key to an effective face mask is to make sure that it fits and you are using it properly!

Check out our press release to find out more about the team and learn more about this effort.

Press Release

Think you can Contribute or Benefit?

The community is working hard to soften the impact of COVID-19. Get in contact if you can contribute towards or benefit from our teams efforts.