Seeing people donning masks in Australia is not common sight, however with the concern for spreading coronavirus people are taking extra precautions and masking up. Until now masks have mostly been discouraged by health professionals, which is likely due to shortage of stocks — they want to reserve medical masks for those that need them.
One way to wear a mask in public without dipping into professional supplies is to DIY with what you have at home. These masks are not going to protect you from catching the coronavirus but they may help to stop the spread — and that's what we're all trying our hardest to do right now.
Below is a quick and easy DIY on how to make your own reusable, no sew, quick and easy plastic free face mask.
STEP 1
Lay the bandana down on a flat surface. We're using a square thin cotton bandanna. You'll also need two hair bands. We're using Kooshoo Plastic Free Hairbands.
STEP 2
Fold one side of the bandana into the centre ad smooth out to create a fold.
STEP 3
Fold the other second side into the centre, so you have two equal halves.
STEP 4
Flip the folded bandana over and smooth out with hands to flatten.
STEP 5
Repeat Steps as above. Fold one side of the bandana into the centre.
STEP 6
Repeat the fold on the second side by folding into the centre. If you'd like extra protection you can also add a coffee filter to the inside of the folded area.
STEP 7
Add hairbands to each end of the bandana — these will be used to tighten the mask and secured around your ears. The location of the hairbands can be adjusted depending on the size of your face.
STEP 8
Flip bandana. Take each end of the bandana and fold it inwards using the hairbands as a fold guide. Tuck the ends of the mask into the seamed area, flip around and your cotton mask is ready to wear!
To wear your mask the hairbands are wrapped around your ears.
If you would like a little scent you can spray a little essential oil onto your bandana, before folding. When you return home from getting your essential supplies, throw the bandana into the wash.
You now have a simple DIY cotton reusable face mask that's ready to go whenever you are. #staysafe and #stayathome
Author Bio - Catherine Anne Earle
Thanks for reading. I'm Cathy the founder of EORTH Australia, an online store that stocks only plastic free products.
I started EORTH after participating in a Plastic Free July many years ago. A few days into the Plastic Free July challenge I soon became aware of just how damaging plastics were to the environment, and although I was conscious of my consumer choices, products packaged in single use plastic and household products from of plastic materials were still very high on my list of purchases.
After lengthy searches for alternatives to plastic products I soon realised that there were a lot of eco stores that sold some plastic free products, but very few really got down to the heart of the plastics issues and said a big hard "no" to selling products that contained plastics — and that is exactly what EORTH is all about.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Management and was the owner and founder of Sun Peaks Independent News, a community newspaper based in British Columbia, Canada.
After moving back to Australia several years ago I now reside in Palm Cove a beachside suburb in my hometown of Cairns — the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
