30 Face Mask/Filter Materials Rated Best to Worst

I bought a 3M MERV 13 hvac filter to cut for an insert.

I looked at the headline and expected a debate over clay, cucumber, oatmeal, honey, activated charcoal, citrus, etc.

I wish they would tell us how big the filter needs to be for adequate coverage.

Interesting, but the article leaves many questions.

How would they define (1) Kitchen Towel? You could ask 5 people and get 5 different answers. Terry? Linen? Cotton? Woven?

Then they list "Paper Towel for Hand Drying" as another positive choice. What brand and type did they use?

They listed "Scott Shop Towel" - but didn't list other shop towels. Did they only test 1 kind? Or did the other brands fail?

This is about the 3rd set of tests of materials I've seen online but the question has not really been answered.

A HAZMAT suit is the only way.

What if you only wear the face mask as a fashion statement? Which material is best then?

[quote]They listed "Scott Shop Towel" - but didn't list other shop towels. Did they only test 1 kind? Or did the other brands fail?

Another test -- though it was conducted in a "homemade" testing facility -- found that Scott's towels didn't work as well as others:

The ideal material turned out to be stretchy blue shop towels made from a polyester hydro knit.

Inserting two of these towels into an ordinary cotton mask brought filtration up to 93% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, the smallest their machine could test. Meanwhile, the cotton masks filtered 60% of particles at best in their tests, Schempf said.

Polyester hydro knit towels are readily available at hardware and automotive stores. The two brands they tested were ToolBox's shop towel and ZEP's industrial blue towel. Interestingly, Scott's pro shop towels, which are also made with a hydro knit fabric, didn't work as well, Schempf said.

These are the best:

R6, there was followup information from the shop owned by the woman in the Business Insider article.

In the link where she describes the mask pattern, she lists the material for "lining".

Only now, Toolbox brand is not mentioned.

R7 I am not sure that fabric is washable, though.

I think I’ll just stay at home.

r9, no it's not washable, but neither are coffee filters and this blocks more crap. You slip it into the pocket of the mask like you would any other filter. And there's no fiber glass particles to kill yourself with.

Have you tried it yet, R11? Sounds like a good idea as long as you can breath through all three layers. I have some masks that I made that have the pocket. The fabric is a cotton/poly blend and you can breath through it pretty easily without a filter. Not sure how breathable it would be with that material in the pocket. But it's a good idea if it works.

I bought a roll yesterday. I'll try to remember to report back after it arrives. I found it nearly impossible to breath with an n95 under a bandana. I couldn't stand it for more than about 15 minutes. So, I'm hopeful that these filters with a cloth mask will be a decent compromise.

Expecting comprehensive and accurate scientific information from these listicles is like expecting a mask to keep you alive.

But if the filter does work but is not washable, it should be thrown out each time you use it. And a new filter used each time you use the mask.

Cost does come into this for a lot of people.

The shop towels, for example, are washable and can be reused 2-3 times as I understand it.

r15 so do the math on square footage per dollar. Also, I'd be inclined to rack up a could hundred bucks of filter debt, if the alternative is an agonizing death.

I don't disagree, R16, but the goal posts keep changing.

Just as the first of these articles mentioned filter ideas that had been tested, their list later was changed, eliminating one of the items they had said worked best.

Now another list claiming THIS material is best.

I'm not saying any of these items are best or the way to go for those making and wearing masks.

Just that having been burned once after the first list came out (only to find the item I purchased no longer rated as high) I am a little more depressed and hesitant about believing again. Also the photo of their testing equipment and description of items (what did they mean by "kitchen towel" gave me pause.

r17 so maybe use data from actual scientists rather than whatever the fuck this 'smart air filters' website is-?

Or if you need everyone to know you're a slut even in these difficult times you could always go with these.

There is no "data from actual scientists" at this point, R18. That's why the site is at least of some value right now.

I wouldn't put half of that stuff on the list on my face.

What exactly are "paper towels for hand drying"?

Those rectangular ones that vaguely look like tissues that come folded in a box and are usually found in public restrooms?

And I saw something yesterday that said that slipping a ring cut from nylon panty hose over your cloth mask is the best thing ever.

Thanks, R23.

That is a great article.

Not only does it (finally) indicate that there is some official interest and research happening as to what should work best to improve home made masks, but the idea mentioned (and it's results) is something that is washable too.

The use of nylon makes sense but how do you take it off without getting virus on your face and hair?

I assume you pull it off from the back side, over the top of your head toward the front.

Or you tie it in back.

R20, yes, there fucking is. Go to the fucking CDC website.

Link please, R27.

CDC DOT GOV for fuck’s sake

R27/AKA R29 knows the CDC has no such list.

r30 man are you dumb.

How does polyester rate? I have dress pants from the 70's that I can no longer get up past my ass.

This is what I found on the CDC website.

Lame.

Unless it's an n95 or better it doesn't stop the virus. You're just fooling yourself.

this place is making acrylic face masks, $20 plus shipping. You have to call them- they're not on the site as they don't normally make them. very nice people.