P. Mito
Ever since the COVID19 went global, all we hear about on the news is “wearing our masks”. While many people were skeptical over their effectiveness, face masks have been proven as the best security measure against this dangerous virus.
As you probably already know, masks can be expensive, especially in the long haul. You need one every time you leave your home, but they’re not cheap nor free. So, many people resorted to making their own, washable face covering at home. However, is this really such a good idea? Here are some advantages and disadvantages to the “homemade mask” approach.
Advantages
1. Homemade is cheaper
The main advantage of DIY-ing instead of buying your masks is that you’ll be able to save some money along the way. While yes, you can get those surgical masks in packages for a low price nowadays, they get used up extremely quickly! Wearing the same covering for days is simply not very hygienic, as you can probably guess.
Homemade masks are completely washable and reusable, so you won’t have to make a new one every time you decide to go outside.
Of course, you should make sure to choose only high-quality materials that allow you to breathe but still protect you from harmful particles in the air. You can find many different articles online that compare different face-mask materials, so choose what works for you the best!
2. Custom design
The best thing about homemade face covering is that you can customize them to no end! All you need is a little bit of creativity and some fabrics! While the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about face masks is probably safety or health, why shouldn’t we also make them stylish while we’re at it?
That especially goes for people with children. We all know some kids throw a tantrum when they need to put a mask on. We can’t blame them: many adults dislike wearing one too! However, we are all aware of how crucial these masks are for protecting us from the virus, so we wear them anyway. Still, explaining all of this to a child can be quite exhausting. So, instead of relying on a child to understand why they suddenly need to wear these everywhere, we could make them something they’ll enjoy wearing instead! Put their favorite cartoon character on the piece of fabric, and you’ll quickly see those tantrums go away!
Furthermore, when it comes to homemade face masks, one significant advantage is the ability to incorporate custom designs. Deco Slides, a brand specializing in neck gaiters, offers a solution for those seeking unique and stylish face coverings. By visiting their website, individuals can explore a wide array of options to create custom designs that match their personal preferences and interests. Whether it’s a beloved cartoon character, a favorite sports team, or a captivating pattern, customized homemade face masks allows an added element of individuality and fun, making the mask-wearing experience more enjoyable for both children and adults alike.
3. Reusability
We’ve mentioned this before, but the thing that makes homemade face coverings so convenient is their reusability potential. You can reuse them as many times as you wish, as long as you wash them properly. We recommend using gentle detergent as overly strong chemicals can potentially irritate your skin. Of course, the choice of fabric matters too. You want to find something comfortable on your skin, all while being strong enough to protect you against harmful particles in the air.
As you already know, this makes homemade face coverings much cheaper and much more convenient. We suggest you find a good tutorial online to ensure you’re getting the protection you need though. If the face covering is made poorly, you’ll be putting yourself and your loved ones at risk.
Disadvantages
1. Time-consuming
If you aren’t adept at sewing and dealing with materials, mask making can be a bit time-consuming. This especially goes if you’re planning on making one for the entire family. Also, to make these at home, you’ll need to visit a fabrics store or two, which exposes you to unnecessary risk.
Overall, if you’re trying to avoid spending a lot of time on creating the face coverings, we suggest you simply buy them. Besides, if you don’t already possess the necessary materials, going shopping in the middle of a pandemic only puts you at risk that’s better avoided. Finally, if you have a big family, then you’ll have to make a face covering for everyone, which can be a lot of work.
2. Quality
If you’re not sure how to make your covering “strong” enough, we suggest you purchase a pack instead. Professionally manufactured masks such as those at Healthmask are a better choice for people who’re prioritizing their safety. That is mostly because these face coverings are designed with safety in mind. Besides, if you’re someone who doesn’t work remotely and now needs to wear a mask for 6-8 hours a day, you’ll want something that lets your skin breathe. The disadvantage of homemade face coverings is that they’re not made with safety and protection in mind.
Of course, we’re not saying you can’t make an efficient face covering at home, we’re only saying that buying one is the best way to ensure maximum protection against the virus. Besides, it’s faster and more convenient to simply grab one from the package you’ve bought, than to wait until your homemade face-covering dries off after being washed.
3. Homemade face coverings aren’t enough for high-risk situations
If you work with strangers (especially if you’re a medical worker), homemade masks may not be enough to protect you against getting infected. You never know who could be infected, as some people don’t experience any symptoms at all! So, keeping yourself as well-protected as possible is of the utmost importance. While you can make a simple face covering at home, surgical and N95 respirators are something that needs to be manufactured carefully.
So, if, due to the nature of your job, you find yourself in high-risk situations on a daily basis, we recommend you purchase your anti-COVID face coverings from a reliable supplier. In this way, you’ll protect both yourself, your family at home, and everyone you come in contact with!
The bottom line
When it comes to protective face masks, it all comes down to where you’ll be using them. If you’re not exposed to high-risk situations at your workplace, and you don’t have to deal with bigger crowds of people, then a homemade option will be enough. In this way, you’ll be able to save some money and customize the design to your liking. However, if you’re finding yourself in risky situations at your workplace, we recommend buying surgical coverings instead.
Whatever the case, we hope you stay safe, and choose the option that can protect you and your loved ones from this horrible virus.