Introduction: Face Masks From Upright Vacuum Cleaner Bag
Makes 8 single-use face masks from 1 upright vacuum cleaner bag. Face mask is not medical-grade, but will satisfy local requirements to be masked in public places. Takes 10 minutes or less.
Supplies
Consumables
- 1 upright vacuum cleaner paper bag. Pictured: HomeCare Products DVC MicroLined XL & Type CC Vacuum Cleaner Bags. $12.09 (USD) at Amazon.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the vacuum cleaner bag does not have fiberglass. - 2 rubber bands
- 1 metal paper clip, small
- 5" (~13 cm) of 2" (~5 cm) wide packing or duct tape
- (Optional) 1 circular coffee filter
Tools
- Scissors
- Stapler
- (Optional) Pliers
Step 1: Cut
- Cut ends off the vacuum cleaner bag.
- Cut bag in half, width-wise. You now have 2 relevant pieces of vacuum cleaner bag.
- Cut out portion attached to cardboard gasket.
Note: Half of the masks will be slightly shorter (~0.3" or ~0.8 cm), as measured from nose-to-chin, as a result of cutting out the portion attached to the cardboard gasket. - Cut bag halves in half, length-wise. You now have 4 relevant pieces of vacuum cleaner bag.
- Cut each portion again in half, length-wise. You now have 8 rectangular pieces of vacuum cleaner bag.
Note: This particular model of bag has two paper liners, which I discard.
- The brown paper is not breathable.
- The white filter line is too fragile. I replaced it with a coffee filter, but that is optional.
Step 2: Fold
- Take rectangular piece of vacuum cleaner bag and fold in quarters, then unfold.
Optional: If using coffee filter, fold it in quarters, then unfold. - Fold piece of vacuum cleaner bag in half length-wise.
Optional: If using coffee filter, fold it in half, then insert between folded vacuum cleaner bag. - Fold corner down, forming a 45° angle.
- Fold flap up from lower edge, forming a 22.5° angle
Step 3: And Fold Again
- Fold edge down, forming a ~11° angle.
Optional: Unfold all folds, then fold down first ~11° angle fold, and roll the folds (valley folds) along the existing fold lines. - Repeat for other side.
- Spread mask halves apart, then fold corner outward.
- Insert rubber band.
Step 4: Staple
- Staple from inside of mask outward to secure flap from previous step. Use multiple staples.
- Repeat for other side.
Step 5: Tape
- Take small paper clip and unfold into an approximately straight wire. It does not need to be absolutely straight.
- Cut a piece of 2" (~5 cm) wide tape slightly longer than the unfolded paper clip.
- Place unfolded paper clip on sticky side of tape, length-wise.
- Affix tape to underside of lower edge of mask. Wire should not be touching mask at this point.
- Flip mask over, then fold tape over across the top of the mask. Wire should be on this side of the mask, close to the edge.
Step 6: Usage
- Place mask over nose, tape side up.
- Press down on wire to form seal along bridge of nose.
- Pull lower edge of mask toward chin.
- Loop rubber bands behind ears.