Abstract
In order to address the needs of the current Covid-19 Pandemic for a safe face mask that can be worn for everyday wear, published scientific research was culled and utilized in the design and materials for creating the Homemade with Love (HWL) filtered cloth mask [1] (Figure 1). Researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory at the University of Chicago in the United States reported that high thread counts 100 percent plain woven cotton or cotton blends, along with a combination of layering of different fabrics, with electrostatic-based filtration produces a mask that can block “a vast majority of aerosol particles.” The HWL facemask meets the researcher’s findings, and it is compliant with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for homemade masks [2].
Anatomy of the Mask
Style and fit
Mirrored after the surgical mask, the pleated design of the HWL mask contributes to the fit, skin comfort, and most importantly allows for adequate amount of airflow. According to the CDC article (2020) entitled, Considerations for Wearing Masks, “wearing a mask does not raise the carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the air you breathe. A cloth mask does not provide an airtight fit across the face. The CO2 completely escapes into the air through and around the sides of the cloth mask when you breathe out or talk. CO2 is small enough to easily pass through any cloth mask material. In contrast, the virus that causes COVID-19 is much larger than CO2, so it cannot pass as easily through a properly designed and properly worn cloth mask.” Additionally, the style of the mask minimizes the build-up of condensation, which can be a source of bacterial growth. The mask molds across the face, is gentle to the skin, and protective. Because it utilizes three layers of fabrics, it can be considered as a form of quilting, creating more padding in the construction process, and protection when worn (Figure 2).
Cutting the mask on the crosswise grain of the fabric, where the give of the fabric is predominant, allows for the mask to slightly stretch and accommodate the contours of the face. The crosswise or weft yarns run perpendicular to the selvage of the fabric. The selvage is the finished edge, on both sides of the fabric, which runs lengthwise and serves to finish off the edges. Adding purchased adjustable earpieces and a nose bridge further contributes to a well-fitting mask that will not slip and covers both the nose and the mouth.
Textile Science Behind the Mask
Public face of the mask
The HWL filtered mask is made exclusively out of quilter’s cotton for the fashion fabric (public side of the mask) and the lining (private side of the mask). Quilters 100 percent cotton is a plain, tightly woven, medium weight textile. It is crisper than standard cotton, absorbent, dries quickly, and holds up in the laundering process. The fabric is available in solid colors or printed after it is woven in a variety of patterns. Due to the nature of the fabric, it will withstand numerous washing cycles in cold and hot temperatures (Figure 3).
The HWL filtered mask is made exclusively out of quilter’s cotton for the fashion fabric (public side of the mask) and the lining (private side of the mask). Quilters 100 percent cotton is a plain, tightly woven, medium weight textile. It is crisper than standard cotton, absorbent, dries quickly, and holds up in the laundering process. The fabric is available in solid colors or printed after it is woven in a variety of patterns. Due to the nature of the fabric, it will withstand numerous washing cycles in cold and hot temperatures (Figure 3).
“quilter’s cotton” with a thread count of 180 or more, and those with especially tight weave and thicker thread such as batiks. A double-layer mask with a simple cotton outer layer and an inner layer of flannel also performed well, Dr. Segal said.” The testing was conducted at the Manufacturing Development Center at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine [3].
Private face of the mask: Lining
The HWL filtered mask is lined with 100 percent quilter’s cotton or a high-grade muslin in white, cream, or black. It is not advisable to line the mask in the fashion fabric if it is printed. To have a heavily dyed print fabric next to the face, especially near the mouth and nose is problematic and may cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals (Figure 4).
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