The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone to wear cloth masks when leaving the home. But what if you don’t have a suitable bandanna or a face mask?
Fear not. We’re here to show you how to make your own mask using a piece of cloth and common ties found around the house.
DIY masks are a good alternative to surgical masks with no sewing required.
Homemade masks are not meant to replace surgical masks – which should be reserved for medical workers – but when you have to go out, something to cover your face is better than nothing.
First, you will need a handkerchief, cut-up T-shirt or dish towel. The recommended size is 18 inches by 18 inches. Next, you will need hair ties, ribbon or cut-up tights or pantyhose – anything that can wrap comfortably behind the ears.
1) Lay the cloth flat on a smooth surface.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
2) Fold the top to the center of the cloth.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
3) Fold the bottom to the center, to meet the top.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
4) Flip the cloth over.5) Fold the top to the center.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
6) Fold the bottom to the center.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
7) Flip over.8) Thread the ends of the folded cloth through the ties.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
9) Fold the ends of the cloth in to meet in the middle.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
10) Flip it over, and you have a face mask that you can reuse and wash.
10 easy steps to make your own face mask
Emily Hayes is a graduate student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Durango Herald.
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