Easy Method: How to Make a Face Mask. (What to Use & What Not to Use.)

May 14, 2020

Easy Method: How to Make a Face Mask. (What to Use & What Not to Use.)

Let’s get this out of the way first -- Don’t use a diaper.

You’ve probably seen the internet flooded with images of peoples and their inventive solutions to DIY masks. Some are rather ingenious, while others leave you questioning where in humanity we went wrong. Here is a sampling of what mankind has spawned:

The takeaway from the above images can be summarized in 1 simple sentence:

Wow.

Let us jump in to share some facts and tips

Since surgical masks and N95 respirators are in short supply, they should be reserved for healthcare workers and medical first responders. This means that cloth masks are the most appropriate solution for the general public.

We sell packages of disposable masks that are easy to grab and go. Shop for those here.

If you’re more into DIY versions, the CDC website has several tutorials on how to make your own from common household cloth items. These include repurposing old t-shirts, bandanas, or other cloth you have available to you. We especially like this “no-sew” tutorial using an old bandana, helpful for those of us who aren’t seamstresses by trade:

How to Easily Make a Bandanna Face Mask

Easy mask making at its finest!

The only exception to the rule of those who should not be wearing masks while in public include young children under 2 years of age, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without any assistance.

All this to be said, we know you’re still itching for us to answer one last question.

Can I use a diaper as a mask?

The short answer (again) is: No.

While you could approximate a mask using the sweet, sweet padding of our outlandishly comfortable adult diapers, they do not perform the required respiratory protection found in a tightly sealed N95 mask or homemade cloth variety. Plus, you would have to walk around wearing a diaper on your head, which is our favorite kind of super hero, but not our favorite kind of protection against COVID-19

Here’s how Tranquility disposable underwear and briefs CAN help you during this time though.

  • They preserve skin integrity.
    • Eliminating shear, friction, moisture, and heat can provide an ideal, healthy environment for skin. The soft, highly absorbent Tranquility peach core provides exactly that environment: it quickly absorbs fluid (urine and moisture) and wicks it away from the skin – locking it into the core. The surface feels dry and comfortable (not damp and cold). Skin pH is critical, and Tranquility products rapidly neutralize urine pH to provide the best environment to preserve skin integrity.
  • They reduce the likelihood of slips and falls.
    • Elimination of cold/wet feeling against skin decreases the desire to get out of bed to toilet.
  • Reduction of wounds.
    • Premium protection keeps skin dry and may reduce MASD and pressure ulcers.
  • Reduced UTIs.
    • Decreased breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Reduction in disturbance of sleep patterns.
    • Uninterrupted sleep fosters better healing while decreasing behavioral issues in memory care units
  • Financial savings from utilization reduction.
    • Up to 50% reduction in product usage.
  • Increased productivity.
    • Fewer changes reduce staff work load and improve morale. This also means less gloves, barrier creams, and underpads.
  • Laundry reduction.
    • Higher absorbency and better leakage control.

Stay safe. Stay informed. And keep diapers off your head.

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