DIY: Three-Ingredient Disposable Face Mask by Zilpha Young

Now that the CDC has recommended everyone in the U.S. to wear face masks as a precautionary measure when leaving home and entering the public sphere, you may wonder how you can get ahold of face masks, as they can be elusive in stores. This do-it-yourself will show you how to make a disposable (single use) face mask out of a few items that you likely already have around the house. Note: These masks aren’t foolproof; please social distance!

Zilpha Young

Materials

• Paper Towel • Facial Tissue • Rubber Bands • Hole Punch • (Optional) Wire (like a grocery tie) and tape

Directions

Step 0:

Wash your hands and clean your workspace and tools with alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Step 1:

Layer your pieces. To start, make a “tissue sandwich” by placing a folded (or cut-to-size) tissue between two half sheets of paper towel.

Step 2:

Fold the bottom of the long side of the stack upward by about an inch. Flip the whole thing and fold again, repeating until you reach the top and have a “fan” of paper towel.

Step 3:

Place holes. Pinch the end of the fan flat and place a hole one half inch from the edge. Repeat on the other side.

Step 4:

Push one end of the rubber band through the hole, and then pull that first loop through the other side of the rubber band to create a knot. Repeat on other side

Step 4.5 (Optional):

Place a short piece of flexible wire, like a grocery tie at the top of the mask on the outside where the bridge of your nose will be and press a piece of tape down over it to hold it in place. When it’s on your face you can squeeze the wire to conform to your nose and get a better seal and improve comfort.

Step 5:

Unfold and wear! Loop the rubber bands behind your ears and you’re ready to go! Keep in mind that this isn’t going to stop 100% of particles from escaping if you should cough or sneeze, so you still need to cover your coughs and wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching or fidgeting with your mask after you leave the house.

Zilpha Young

Zilpha Young

To learn how to make a reusable cloth mask (pictured right) or to learn how to use a bandana as a face mask (pictured left), visit jfp.ms/facemask.