, many and many took out the sewing machine to make their own reusable and washable cloth masks. A more economical and environmentally friendly way to comply with regulations. However, these homemade masks have been called into question.
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The Basque Country casts doubt on the effectiveness of a homemade cloth mask
In recent days, the health authorities in all health centers due to the uncertainty they generate in the fight against . Too much use without washing, sometimes they can not carry a filter or a homemade manufacture that does not comply with the regulations of the European Union (EU) are the most widespread failures among this type of protection.
It should also be remembered that during the development of last July, surgical masks were distributed at polling stations.
What fabric is the best to make an approved cloth mask
1. Silk: and published in the scientific journal Plos One, . This material is safer compared to others such as cotton or synthetic, and has other types of advantages that put it on a par (or in some cases consolidate it as a better alternative) to surgical masks. In addition, silk protects better against moisture, which encourages the proliferation of any virus, and can also be reused after sterilization.
2. A combination of fabrics: another study, carried out by the Argonne National Laboratory, together with the University of Chicago in the United States, revealed that the combination of various materials is the key. In this study several experiments were done with common fabrics (cotton, silk, chiffon or flannel) and revealed that hybrid fabrics (cotton-silk, cotton-gauze, cotton-flannel) could filter more than 90% of 300 nanometer particles.
How to make a reusable and washable hygienic cloth mask: for healthy people
The Mango signature mask allows up to 10 washes
They are, according to It is a non-medical product but the approved versions are covered by An example of , which withstands 10 washes. However, the Government does not consider the use of hygienic masks that are not approved to be an error.
What is a hygienic mask: it is a non-sanitary product that covers the mouth, nose and chin provided with a fastening to the head or ears.
Types of hygienic masks:
1. Masks that meet the UNE 0064 (single-use) and 0065 (reusable) requirements. The product labeling must include these specifications.
2. Masks with other specifications: these are those that are tested and do not meet the UNE quality standard or have simply been tested based on other standards. They can indicate on their labeling that they have undergone these tests and show the results obtained.
3. Masks without specifications
What requirements should a hygenic mask have?
For the production of reusable hygienic masks, the Government distributed the ‘. A clothing guide for both companies that want to market hygienic masks and for people who want to make them at home. The key points of this fabrication are:
1. Bacterial filtration efficiency (BEF): for reusable hygienic masks, it must be equal to or greater than 90%. And the breathability should be less than 60 Pa/CM2.
2. Washing: the mask must be able to withstand at least 5 washing cycles at 60º C and air drying. After this process, the manufacturer must be able to guarantee that the reusable hygienic mask continues to meet the objectives of bacterial filtration efficiency.
3. Materials: the hygienic mask can be made up of one or several layers (of a material or combination of materials), as long as it meets the acceptance criteria indicated in the UNE:0065 specification. In addition, the material of the piping of the mask must be of similar composition to that of the body.
4. Equipment for making: to make the masks, you must have a flat sewing machine with stitch regulation at 4, a pattern cutting machine or scissors, a No. 80 ball point needle and sewing thread.
How to make a super safe cloth mask: make a pocket to put an approved filter
Cloth mask with filter pocket
The best way to obtain a reusable and washable cloth mask that acts like a surgical mask is to make this filter. It can be purchased online and must be approved under the UNE-EN ISO 14683:2019 standard. An example of these
Where to buy approved filters for cloth surgical masks
Filters for approved washable reusable fabric masks. Photo: Dreamtime
. Only the UNE-EN ISO 14683:2019 filters, regarding surgical masks, and the UNE 0065:2020, regarding hygienic masks, are the ones that are approved.
This material can be obtained through e-commerce platforms such as or . However, they are also present in some pharmacies or smaller stores such as , founded in 1939, which offers a wide selection of approved filters, capable of inhibiting the action of all kinds of materials, from pollens or polluting particles, to toxic gases caused by by chemical materials. O , which sells single-layer filter packs, which filter around 99% of airborne bacteria and viruses, as required by the UNE-EN ISO 14683:2019 standard for surgical masks. The prices of these filters are between 10 and 25 euros depending on the type and number of filters.
The Eroski fabric mask that repels the coronavirus
MOxATech, the Eroski fabric mask that repels the coronavirus
The Eroski Group put out for sale this summer the first Under the MO brand and the name that has successfully passed the tests carried out by the . Its sale price is 9.95 euros.
As specified in the information provided by the supplier, this is a highly efficient, comfortable and waterproof reusable mask that has an innovative coating that neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus when it comes into contact with the fabric, an effect that is Holds after 50 washes.
How to know if my homemade hygienic cloth mask protects from coronavirus
At the beginning of the pandemic, the US administration released a video, starring Jerome Michael Adams, US surgeon general and vice president of the country’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, experts knocked down this method because a simple walking cloth at home did not prevent the spread of the virus.
To avoid these mistakes, the different governments launched their specificities to make a mask at home. Furthermore, recently, Simon Kolstoe, a professor at the University of Portsmouth, has published an article in which he explains
First method: it consists of recording someone vaping with a mask on and checking the smoke output. This system is good to check the effectiveness, but also if it is necessary to adjust the chin more, or the nose.
Second trick: the other test consists of blowing out a candle with the mask on. The more complex it is to put out the fire with the mask on, the more effective it will be.
How to wash a reusable approved mask
The one where he explains how cleaning and disinfection of reusable hygienic masks should be. In this guide, the ministry proposes different methods:
1. Washing and disinfection of the masks with normal detergent and water at a temperature between 60º-90º.
2. Immerse the masks in a 1:50 bleach dilution with warm water for 30 minutes. Then wash with soap and water and rinse well to remove any traces of bleach and leave to dry.
3. Use disinfectant products with virucidal activity to disinfect reusable hygienic masks
How and how many hours should a mask be worn?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has at the disposal of those interested some of the advice that you follow below and that should be carried out in order not to fall into .
1. Take the mask by the ends and never by the central part.
2. Wash your hands before and after in the case of repositioning it.
3. Do not use the masks for more than four hours.
4. The mask should be discarded and replaced with another if it is damaged or if breathing becomes difficult.
5. The mask must not undergo any change, no matter how small.
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