CDC on homemade cloth face coverings

Who should NOT use cloth face coverings: children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Cloth face coverings are NOT surgical masks or N95 respirators. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.

CDC recommends that you wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

Simple cloth face coverings can be made at home and may help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Non-sewn Face Covering

Bandana, old t-shirt, or square cotton cloth (cut approximately 20”x20”)

Rubber bands (or hair ties)

Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)

Tutorial: A single bandana is shown lying flat, with the curved edge at the top. Cut bandana in half with a horizontal line.

The square bandana is shown lying flat. The bandana is then folded in half, bringing the top edge of the bandana to meet the bottom edge of the bandana.

The top half of the bandana, with the curved edge at the top, is placed in the center of the folded bandana. Then, fold filter in center of folded bandana. Fold top down. Fold bottom up, to cover the filter entirely.

Insert the folded bandana, with the filter inside, through the center of two rubber bands or hair ties. Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.

Take the left side and the right side of the bandana and fold each side to the middle and tuck the sides into each other.

The bandana should now be a continuous, cloth loop since the left and right sides have been tucked into each other.

Make sure your cloth face covering:

• fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

• completely covers the nose and mouth

• is secured with ties or ear loops

• includes multiple layers of fabric

• allows for breathing without restriction

• can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Taken from cdc.gov