A toilet paper mask is a popular solution among those who are not able to buy a real mask or respirator during the coronavirus pandemic. It can look no worse than its prototype, but few people think about its protective properties. Today we’ll talk about whether it is worth spending the “quarantine deficit” on the manufacture of such products.
How to make a mask from napkins or toilet paper?
Disposable masks can be made from toilet paper or paper napkins (both dining rooms and hygienic). It takes a few minutes, and all that is needed is a consumable, stationery erasers or thin and wide hair erasers, a stapler.
Make such a mask as follows:
- Stack several napkins on top of each other. The amount needed depends on the initial density. On average, it is 5-10 pieces. Since the paper is narrower, it is layered with “steps”.
- Collect the side edges with an accordion.
- They take an elastic band and pass an accordion through it.
- Bend the edge so that the rubber is inside, and fasten the paper with a stapler.
- Repeat the same steps on the other hand.
How to make a mask of paper towels?
To make a mask of towels with your own hands, prepare:
- rolled towels;
- thin double-sided tape;
- scissors and a ruler;
- linen gum.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Cut a rectangle 32 cm wide from the roll (smaller or larger possible - the size depends on the individual parameters of the face).
- Fold it in half (parallel to the tear line) so that the fold is clearly marked. Open the resulting "little book" and on the inside, stick the adhesive tape around the perimeter of one of the halves.
- Remove the protective layer of adhesive tape and glue both parts of the rectangle.
- Glue the adhesive tape again along one of the wider sides, remove the protective layer and make one bend. This will be the top of the mask. If you have a thin wire, put it under the tape - it will allow you to create a bend in the shape of the nose.
- Starting on the other wide side, make three folds on the rectangle, carefully ironing the bends.
- Stick tape on both short edges perpendicular to the folds.
- Remove the protective layer of adhesive tape and fasten the folds together.
- Prepare two elastic bands of the desired length (usually 25 cm). Tie the ends of each of them in a bundle.
- Pass one short edge through the elastic and wrap the part of the paper where the sticky layer is. Repeat the same action from the other end.
Useful life hack: if you don’t have double-sided tape, use a stapler instead to fix wrinkles and elastic bands. You can glue the edges of towels with PVA clerical glue - it is non-toxic and does not have a pronounced smell after drying.
Do paper masks help coronavirus?
The main function of a medical mask is to delay microdrops of saliva and sputum, which are released when talking, coughing or sneezing. To a greater extent, it protects not those on whom it is worn, but those around it.
The paper mask also performs the protective function. On the outside, all the same microdrops of biological fluids settle if a person without a mask sneezes or coughs nearby.
However, to perform a barrier or protective function, the mask must comply with the following requirements:
- fit to the face without leaving gaps on the sides, on the chin and near the nose;
- be dense enough so that microdroplets do not penetrate the thickness of the material;
- dry quickly (the heat and moisture generated by breathing are an excellent medium for the propagation of bacteria that are not related to coronavirus but cause respiratory illness).
Honey. masks are made of nonwoven materials - a three-layer spanbond or SMS (combination of spanbond-meltblown spanbond). Paper is not used in industrial production because:
- does not have sufficient strength;
- either poorly filters the air, or poorly passes it (the first makes the mask meaningless, the second does not allow a person to breathe normally);
- quickly gets wet from moisture that is released during exhalation;
- It does not provide the necessary electrostatic charge, which is needed so that viruses “attach” to the material, rather than penetrate through it.
A paper mask provides extremely low virus protection. It cannot fully replace medical (surgical) remedies.
If paper masks are ineffective, why make them?
Sometimes there is no other way. A towel mask is useful if you need to go to a store, pharmacy or visit another public place for a short while.
How often do they need to be changed?
Once every 15 minutes or after each cough, sneeze.
What towels and napkins can I use?
It is advisable to choose those on which there is no perforation.
Which face mask provides 100% protection against coronavirus?
Medical masks provide protection at the level of 35–65% (depending on the material, number of layers and fit). Special protective respirators - at the level of 98-99%. And 100% protection is provided only by complete self-isolation without contact with the outside world.
A paper product is a last resort. Due to its low effectiveness, it should not be used where a large number of people with symptoms of respiratory infections are going. Also, you can not walk in it for a long time. At the first opportunity, try to get high-quality medical masks.