How to Make an Easy, No-Sew DIY Face Mask With a Bandana

by Carley Lake | Last Updated:   May 29, 2020

We are keeping our distance and staying at home during this Corona, COVID-19 quarantine. But sometimes we may need to go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, or see the sun on a quick walk around the neighborhood.

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings/masks in public where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. But how to make a face mask?

Masks are selling out and many of us might not be the best seamstresses. That’s okay. Check out this short guide to an easy DIY, no-sew face mask. It should only take 2 minutes to make and the mask is washable too!

NOTE: This is not a COVID-19, Corona medical-grade face mask and should not be worn by healthcare professionals. It should be used for short outings.

How to Make a Face Mask?:

The 4 Easy Steps to Make a DIY, No-Sew, Washable Face Mask from a Bandana

Step 1: Locate a cotton fabric in a square shape.

According to Good Housekeeping, the best fabric for homemade masks is a tightly woven, 100% cotton fabric. Avoid knit fabrics (e.g. jersey T-shirts) because they create holes when they stretch, which the virus could get through. Make sure to prewash fabrics using hot water to kill germs and to pre-shrink the material so it doesn’t change shape after healthcare workers wash it themselves.

Step 2: Fold your bandana or fabric into thirds.

Step 3: Slide hair ties onto each end.

If you don’t have hair ties get creative and see what you have around the house. In this example, my friend Gaby used a leg of an old pair of stockings she cut about an inch thick. These are probably even more comfortable around the ears than hair ties!

Step 4: Fold on side of the bandana to the center.

Step 5: Fold the other side into the center and tuck into the other side’s flap to secure it.

You can also add a coffee filter or a strip of thicker fabric on the inside of the mask.

Voila! And it’s washable!

Thank you to my boo Gaby for outlining these steps.

If you need items, see below, But hopefully, you have items around the house to use.

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