How to make the most out of your newest accessory

Now that masks are mandatory and most people are complying, here are some tips on how to make the most out of your newest accessory.

For the face covering to actually be effective, it must cover your mouth and nose at the same time. You can still exhale droplets and particles through your nose, which is why just covering your mouth is not enough. Most guidelines, such as the ones from the CDC, recommend the mask be large enough to cover your nose, mouth and chin.

Double-layer, all-cotton masks are the most effective at blocking particles, according to Taher Saif, a professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois, but up to 40% polyester will do the job. (This in comparison to surgical or N95 masks, which can be hotter and less comfortable.) The most important thing is finding a fabric that is effective and comfortable. All-cotton fabrics can vary in softness and weight, so pick the one that feels best against your skin. If you or your child have texture sensitivities, try different fabrics until you find the one you can tolerate best.

Make sure the mask or face covering fits. For masks that use earloops, ensure the elastic or the ties aren’t too tight. If the loops pull at your ears or cut off circulation, replace the loops with fresh elastic that is cut and tied to your specifications or with fabric strips or ribbons that you can tie and adjust. You can also use strings that tie at the back of your head, avoiding your ears altogether. Headbands with buttons and mask extenders are also good ways to keep the loops off your ears while keeping the mask in place. If you need to replace the elastic or ties, a large eye plastic sewing needle is helpful for threading the new material through the mask’s loop holes.

Nosepieces are a godsend. Especially if you have glasses. Some disposable surgical masks have nosepieces built in already. For fabric masks, sewing a channel about half an inch below the top seam gives you a place to insert a twist tie or a piece of pipe cleaner. Just make sure at least one end of the channel is open and the new line you’ve sown is long enough to accommodate the whole twist tie/pipe cleaner.

If you wear glasses, fogging is pretty much inevitable, but there are ways to minimize it. A well-fitted nosepiece is a good place to start. Other popular tips include washing your glasses with soap and water and then drying them off with a microfiber cloth, using skin-safe tape to secure the fabric along your nose and cheeks and sealing the mask by putting your glasses on top of the fabric.

Finally, have fun with your face coverings. Get masks in crazy colors and fun designs. Match your face covering to your outfit every day. Embroider it with your favorite saying or pick a fabric that displays a message you like. Rock masks with your favorite characters or even “Trump 2020.” (But please avoid vulgar or profane images/words.)

Masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future. So make the most of this new accessory by choosing face coverings that are functional and fashionable.