Any re-usable mask recommendations?

[Silent3]

I haven't spent much time out of the house since this whole pandemic began, other than going on long walks in the open air with good social distancing, for which I do not wear a mask.

The longest span of time I've spent wearing a mask is about 20-30 minutes while grocery shopping. For this, I've been using and reusing a couple of semi-stiff filter masks, the kind you'd buy at a hardware store to put on when sanding or spray painting. These have probably been overused at this point, even if each use has been pretty short.

I recently tried out some cheap cloth masks that I bought at a Target last week. I wasn't sure which size would fit best, so I bought two sizes. They both felt reasonably comfortable when I tried them on, and the larger one seemed to give me better coverage, so that's the first one I tried out in public.

So, my wife and I went out to dinner, to dine outdoors, but I had to go inside to ask for a table. This was my first time talking with the new mask on.

I immediately discovered that with every movement of my jaw, the mask was pulled down a little bit, until my nose popped out. So I had to keep adjusting it by hand. A mask that makes you touch your face a lot to keep it in place is not a very good mask at all.

Later I tried the smaller mask, but it kept pulling upward when I tried to talk -- same problem as the larger mask, just slipping off in the opposite direction.

Since I'm going to be back in the office for the first time in months next week, I'd like to find something effective, comfortable, and reusable that fits well and stays in place. Although I don't know if I'll actually get filter inserts, I would like a cloth mask with the option to insert a filter.

Any recommendations for something I could by online? (I'm not handy with sewing something myself, so I'm looking for something manufactured, no a home crafting project. )

[Green Line]

1. I have about 20 different masks, these are the best by far

They have 2 layers with a 3rd layer filter pocket, they also have a nose wire and adjustable ear straps, they stay up when I'm talking.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mulbora

These are the filters I bought, I cut them in half, they fit perfectly that way.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DryHeatImaging

[Silent3]

3. Anything a bit more masculine?

I'll wear pink with little blue flowers if I have to for health and safety, but something plainer and more subdued would be preferable.

Thanks for the suggestion, however!

[Green Line]

5. The plaid ones have a navy blue that should work

Just click on the pink plaid, it will show the other colors

[backtoblue]

2. Maybe try one with ties instead of elastic

The ties around your head keep the mask in place.

Most people do not like these because they take a little more time to put on.

[CrispyQ]

4. We're using bandanas or scarves and rubber bands.

I bought a box of #33 rubber bands. I fold each mask with two bands at each end, in case one breaks. You can place a filter inside as you fold. You could also get some kind of metal for a nose piece & fold it in place, too. With the right sized rubber bands these are fairly comfortable, super easy to fold, & can be washed.

[Silent3]

6. A filter would be a must then

A read a study that showed scarves don't do much better than no mask at all -- better than nothing, but not by much of a margin.

[LisaL]

15. Amazon sells reusable masks that have filters build in.

Copper infused and so on. They have a "copper infused mask by shero" with six layers but I haven't tried it. So can't recommend or not recommend based on experience.

[lunasun]

19. I was out last night& someone was shopping in the store they were just holding with one hand a tra

translucent scarf from her neck held over their mouth and nose and shopping with the other hand 🙄
Well that kind of scarf was certainly no better than a mask and worse if she occasionally switched hands while shopping !

At least the bandana is cotton like many of the masks I’ve seen for sale

I guess I’m lucky all the masks I have fit ok but maybe put a blue disposable underneath
that way if the outside one buckles,you have the disposable blue one still blocking

[Ms. Toad]

22. The way this is folded it has at least two, maybe three, layers.

It's been a while since I looked at the fold. But it's the face conformity, tightness of weave, and number of layers. The fact tat it is made out of a scarf is irrelevant as long as it fits. (A bandana meets tightness of weave and that particular fold has enogh layers layers to be as effective as most homemade masks.)

[hlthe2b]

7. I'm a primary HCW, but quick trips to the grocery store (the ONLY kind I make) I simply use

a two-ply home-made facemask in the same style as surgical masks, but with a pocket in which I insert a single layer of industrial (automotive) "shop towel"--shown to be particularly breathable but fine filtering. I add a single strip of surgical tape when donning it (e.g., Nexus brand) to keep sun or eyeglasses from fogging--and YES, I feel very strongly that wearing of eye protection has been a much ignored, yet important addition to facemasks. (Just ask some of the virologists and ER docs who have acquired COVID from a single plane flight, despite wearing a mask and doing everything else correctly-- except for wearing eye protection).

These masks can be washed in the washer, but I rotate them with some regular surgical masks every 2-3 days by letting them be exposed to the hot (disinfecting) sun on the windshield of my car. By doing that, I extend the life of the "shop towel" filter.

I've not gone anywhere, other than work, that has caused me to be inside for more than about 10 minutes since late March. Were I to be forced to spend an hour or more in a small, crowded environment, I'd likely break out one of my Fit-Tested and much prized N-95 masks I purchased a year before all havoc began. I likely can not replace these any (and obviously am not going to divert mine from work), so I use sparingly and reuse after three days of intense dry heat on the windshield.

[marlakay]

11. Thanks I am going to get some tape

I wear glasses and I find myself taking them off and on in stores because they fog up a lot.

[Ms. Toad]

23. A nose wire will solve that problem. n/t

[cally]

8. My favorite mask is:

The Vida mask: https://shopvida.com/products/protective-mask
The one I got is slightly different so I can’t guarantee this one works the same. I have noticed that masks that are more structured so they don’t touch your mouth allow me to breathe and talk more easily.

[marlakay]

9. Do you belong to the site nextdoor

For your local area? I got masks locally from two different ladies that made them. The second lady had a bunch of ones made with bandanna material, wildlife and other things for men. My husband wanted the one with dog faces on it.

[jmg257]

10. I like these...

https://www.amazon.com/TRAVLEISURE-Adjustable-Reusable-Washable-Bamboo/dp/B087982R5R

[LisaL]

12. You need a mask with nose wire.

The nose wire will mold it to your nose.
amazon sells a lot of cloth masks. You can search for masks and read reviews. Like I said, make sure masks have nose wire.
Multiple layers.
You can also buy surgical disposable masks on amazon.

[soothsayer]

14. I do a cute cloth mask on top of the nose pinching disposable

Double layer makes me feel more secure.

Plastic face shield replaces masks at outdoor restaurants while eating/drinking.

[thinkingagain]

13. I found these

https://www.cool-jams.com/collections/popular-now/products/moisture-wicking-protective-face-mask-optional-filter

Although not perfect still gets little warm, still fog up my glasses a little.
I find if I put anti fog on my glasses before I use that helps. And as for warm hard to breath the seembetter than any than anything else I’ve tried including disposable.
My husband works out side doing road work and says they are better ( seem easier to breathe) for him also.
His biggest complaint is when he takes his masks off (all masks) they catch his glasses and the go flying.) I haven’t experienced that with any.
The ear loops can be pulled tighter so that helps secure.
They have a little pocket to fit under a chin and over the nose.
A place to put filters but I haven’t done that yet so can’t tell how they feel then.
They also come in different colors and I received pretty quick. A little expensive but not overly so.
Now the pjs are very expensive so i haven’t bought any yet.
I am still on the search for the perfect mask one that makes it feel like nothing at all is on my face.

[blogslut]

16. I think for your particular issue, it's more about it's affixed to the head

A common mask with the two loops that go over the ears is very easy to put on and take off, however it slides around the face just as easily.

As others have mentioned, there are masks with ties in stead of loops and there are masks with bendable nose pieces as well as masks that have one, long continuous tie that is threaded through channels sewn into the sides. There are even little attachments that hold ear loops together at the back of the head to both affix the mask securely and to take strain off the ears.

[Squinch]

17. I notice no one is saying to use surgical masks, which are easy to find these days and

are pretty cheap in packs of 20, and reasonably comfortable.

I do reuse mine. I figure if I am letting them sit for 19 days before I reuse them, they should be OK.

Am I mistaken in this?

[LisaL]

18. I did point out that one can now buy surgical masks upthread.

Dunno about reusing them. They are supposed to be disposable. But after 19 days any virus on them should presumably be dead.
But still, did you watch all those videos about person coughing on a petri dish with and without mask on. Lots of bacteria grows when the person doesn't have a mask on. But with a mask on, where is all that bacteria ends up? On the mask, clearly. So not reusing the mask (if they can't be washed) is best practice.

[Squinch]

20. Good point.

[Ms. Toad]

21. Make sure you get one with a nose wire -

Or you can just buy a paddle of 22 gauge floral wire (~$5.00). Snip off a piece about 5" long and thread it through the top seam of the larger of the two masks from Target to the center.

Conform the wire to your nose

The wire is stiff enough to hold it in place, but light and flexible enough to be comfortable.

I have some masks I'm willing to ship out - but they are light blue floral at the moment. I'll be making others - but can't guarantee the time frame. PM me if you don't find something better/easier to acquire.