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Beauty & Health

Reusable Cloth Mask Too Big Or Too Small? Here’s How To Make It Fit Better

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Wellness

Reusable Cloth Mask Too Big Or Too Small? Here’s How To Make It Fit Better

It’s not yet a waste – here are some ways to make your mask fit to your face better

April 9, 2020
How To Modify Your Reusable Cloth Mask To Fit You Better

Photo: 123RF

Reusable cloth masks are the new normal as we enter Phase 2. Unlike surgical face masks, which are disposed of after every wear, reusable cloth masks require a bit more care since you have to wash them. And some of us might find that the reusable face masks aren’t fitting us as well compared to the disposable option.

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While not as effective as surgical masks, cloth masks still do offer some basic protection and are better than having none at all. According to Dr Teo Tee Hui, council member of The Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES), cotton reusable masks can provide up to 60 per cent of filtration efficiency.

But that is only if they are worn properly. Like surgical masks, reusable masks must also fit well to the face to ensure droplets do not travel. This has become an issue for some, however, as our faces are not uniform in size and what works for one may not work for another.

To help the rest of the nation out, some kind souls have shared some nifty guides to help us customise the masks to our face shapes. There’s even a tip for parents!

Take a look at them below.

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/wellness/how-make-reusable-cloth-mask-fit-better/
Reusable Cloth Mask Too Big Or Too Small? Here's How To Make It Fit Better
If your mask is too small
image

In a Facebook post, one Singaporean claimed that he is a “pretty big-sized guy” and the mask he collected from the government was a little too small for his face.

He was still grateful for the mask however, and found a way to modify it instead. According to him, these are the tools you will need – a shoelace, a pair of scissors and a lighter.

Here are the steps:

  1. Cut your shoelace into four equal lengths. Use the lighter to ‘burn off’ the ends.
  2. Cut the mask’s ear-loop into half. Use the lighter to ‘burn off’ the ends.
  3. Tie each shoelace to a loose ear-loop (see photo above).
  4. Put on your mask and tie the extended strings together at the back of your head/neck.

He recently also posted an additional step for parents who are looking to modify the mask for their children. As the one-size-fits-all is for adults, he recommended flipping the mask upside down in order to fit where the nose bridge is for the mouth and chin.

Gerard Su/Facebook
If your mask is too big (i..e not tight enough, has gaps)
image

The owner of Nurse Says Facebook page, a Year 2 Nursing student from the National University of Singapore, also explained that the empty spaces created at the sides of the nose bridge when wearing a cloth mask may result in glasses fogging up or respiratory droplets to enter.

Her hack for the masks to fit snugly on a person’s face? Inserting wire ties into the top band of the masks to keep the germs out and the mask tight. For this, you will need wire ties and a pair of scissors.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Take three wire ties and place them together, twisting both ends.
  2. On the inner side of the mask, cut a small hole near one side of the top band.
  3. Insert the wire ties into the small hole and ensure that the wire does not poke out through the hole.
  4. Adjust the wire ties so that you are able to bend it at the position where your nose bridge will be.

You can also watch the video tutorial here.

Nurse Says/Facebook
Things to note
image

As a friendly reminder, there are also some things to note when wearing your face mask:

  • Do not touch the outside of the mask while wearing it.
  • Wear the mask for the whole duration while you are out and wash your mask immediately with soap after coming home, making sure to dry it properly.
  • Change the wire regularly in case of it rusting.
  • Wash your hands before and after removing the mask.

With circuit breaker measures currently in place till May 4, people are encouraged to stay home and keep safe, but do make sure to wear your reusable mask properly, should there be a need to leave your home.

Want to DIY your own reusable mask? Read this!

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Text: Trini Ng/Asia One, Additional reporting: Cherrie Lim

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  • TAGS:
  • cloth mask
  • Coronavirus Stay Healthy Guide
  • covid-19
  • DIY
  • face mask
  • reusable mask
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