How to Make a Dust Mask

Although a good dust mask is cheap, it is sometimes an inconvenience to have to go to the store to pick one up if you are working in a dusty area. Instead of waisting time buying a dust mask, try this simple yet effective homemade dust mask.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean cloth (old shirt will do fine)
• Water

1. Cut or tear the cloth in a section that is about 2 feet wide and 2 feet high.

2. Wet the cloth with water and wring it out all you can so that it is just damp. If the cloth is too dry, then it won't filter out the dust as well. If it is too wet, it will block too much air and it will be hard to breathe.

3. Fold the cloth in half diagonally (to form a triangle). Now take both ends of the fold line in each hand and fit the cloth over your nose and mouth, with the triangle point facing down (point should be over your chin.) Wrap the two ends in your hands around the back of your head and tie them behind your neck to hold the dust mask in place. Note: you don't have to actually make a knot. A single cross-loop, which is the first step in tying your shoes, will do fine. When the cloth is wet it will hold. Also, make sure that the wet cloth is not covering your ears. Keeping your ears moist can cause an infection. Enjoy your clean air!

Tips & Warnings

• You can also do this on a hot summer day since the wet cloth around your head and neck will keep you cool.
• When the cloth gets dirty, rinse it again as this will make it filter the air better.
• This dust mask will NOT filter out harmful or toxic gas from paint or other sources. Even if you don't smell them with this on, you're still breathing them. THIS IS NOT A GAS MASK! It will only filter out dust particles.
• Don't tie the knot at the back of your neck too securely, because if you are having a hard time breathing through the cloth, you need to be able to take it off quickly.