Outermost Layer: Hydrophobic

Hydrophobic is material that repels droplets (e.g. polypropylene)

Middle Layer: Your Choice

Ideally, a second layer of hydrophobic or hydrophilic material. 

Innermost Layer: Hydrophilic

Hydrophilic is material that absorbs droplets

(e.g. quilter's cotton, flannel and batik)

X

D I Y T E S T I N G O F M A S K S : F I V E K E Y F A C T O R S

Fiber: Hold the material up to a light. The less light that shines through, the more tightly

woven it is, meaning that the material will better filter harmful air substances. Batik and

quality quilter's cotton are ideal.

Water-Resistant: Pour about a tablespoon of water onto the fabric.  How much the water

seeps through to the other side will show how well the fabric repels water. 

Breathability: Make sure you can breathe with the mask on. Waterproof (rather than water

resistant) materials, and fabrics like spandex are not breathable. Additionally, fabrics

containing glue may be harmful/include harmful chemicals.

Filtration: Test filtration with a quick and simple science experiment at makermask.org.

Fit: Nose pieces and a good fit are key. Make sure mask covers the face from nose to chin

and ear to ear.  Be sure that there are no gaps, mask perimeter should be flush to the face.

HOMEMADEMASK GUIDE

W E A R A M A S K

Based on research studies for fabric masks from the CDC and WHO. Mask, designs, and fabric have not been FDA approved or cleared.

Homemade masks are to be used at your own risk, are non-medical, and should be used with personal discretion in a high risk environment. No

warranty or accuracy of the data is provided. *CDC Recommendations, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV; **American Chemical

Study on Homemade Masks, ACS Nano 2020, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252; and ***WHO Study, (172 studies combined),

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9. Filtration Efficiencies of Nanoscale Aerosol by Cloth Mask Materials Used to Slow the

Spread of SARS CoV-2, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c050. The Homemade Mask Summit was hosted by Newcomb Institute, and co-

hosted by the Phyllis Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the

Freeman School of Business, all at Tulane University. THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO DR. SONGER OF MAKERMASK.ORG.

GOOD TWO layers of quilter's cotton*

BETTER TWO layers of quilter's cotton* +

a layer of 100% non-woven polypropylene as a  filter**

EVEN BETTER TWO layers of the polypropylene facing out

to the world + one layer of cotton close to

the mouth***

JustWannaQuilt.com, MakerMask.org, and WeHaveMasks.org andthe Newcomb Institute, Tulane University present

We all know that any mask is better than no mask!

T H E L A T E S T S C I E N C E F O R S E W I S T S :

For more on the science, see MakerMask.orgListen to the Homemade Mask Summit at JustWannaQuilt.com

Request, Make, or Volunteer at WeHaveMasks.org

K E YE L E M E N T S

POLY on the OUTSIDE

blocks droplets

COTTON on the INSIDE

absorbs saliva

A v o i d : P o l y p r op y l e n e / C o t t o n / P o lyprop ylene - may not get c l e a n e no ugh to re use .

W H A T I S N O N - W O V E N P O L Y P R O P L Y L E N E ?Polypropylene is a synthetic, water-resistant fabric that repels droplets . You are looking for fabric that is 100%

polypropylene with dimples rather than smooth. Examples: reusable grocery bags, at least two layers of interfacing (not

fusible, has dimples), and conference bags. Keywords you might see: spunbond non-woven polypropylene or "NWPP."

Knits (which is sometimes polypropylene)

Fabric with glue (i.e. "fusible")

HEPA filters or vacuum cleaner bags

Coated fabric (not breathable)

DON'T USE

T H E S C I E N C E O F L A Y E R S

D I M P L E S

7 /1 /2020

F O R M O R E , G O T O H T T P S : / / M A K E R M A S K . O R G / D I Y - M A S K - T E S T S /

Non-woven polyester 

Quilt Batting in between cotton layers

Polyester/cotton blend

OTHER OPTIONS