With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, experts are urging people to wear masks whenever they leave the house. While homemade masks may not be effective for protecting oneself from the virus, they can be useful in protecting the elderly or those who may be immunocompromised nearby, as it’s very possible for a carrier with no symptoms to unknowlingly pass it onto someone else.

According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website, people should wear a mask when shopping at essential businesses (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), visiting a healthcare provider, using public transportation, interacting with customers, co-workers or clients at an essential business, and when feeling sick, coughing or sneezing.

As for how masks should fit, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website ascertains masks should fit snugly yet comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction and be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

If you touch the mask while wearing it, you should wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water afterwards. Lastly, while removing the mask, you should only touch the ties without touching the mouth covering, launder (or place in a ziploc bag until you can) and wash your hands immediately after taking it off.

While choosing a material for a homemade mask, it’s recommended to use 100% tightly woven cotton (pillowcases, curtains, woven shirts, bandanas, etc.). T-shirts will work, though are not the top choice because the fabric is knit and creates holes when it stretches. Make sure you wash fabric beforehand so it shrinks before you use it.

Here are instructions for a no-sew, easy to make mask with items often found lying around the house:

Materials needed: Fabric, scissors and something to make ties out of (rubber bands, hair bands, shoelaces, ribbon, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Lay out the bandana or cut a 22-inch by 22-inch square of cotton fabric

2. Fold the top and bottom in towards the center of the square

3. Fold the top and bottom in towards the center of the square once again

4. Fold the sides in towards the center, placing your ties at the folded crease. For this step, if you’re using rubber bands or hair ties, loop them around the fabric. If you’re using shoelaces, string or ribbon, place the center of the string in the folded crease and pull the straps tight

5. Tuck one end of the fabric into the other

6. Lift the mask to your face and either secure it by either tying the strings behind your head or looping the hair ties or rubber bands over each ear.

7. Adjust as needed, making sure your mouth and nose are securely covered

8. Launder material after every use, making sure to wash your hands after removing.