Where to buy face masks online - and everything you need to know about wearing and cleaning them properly
Here are all of the best places to buy masks, everything you need to know about picking them out, effectively wearing them, and cleaning them.
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Etsy
- It's been a year since the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic.
- The CDC still recommends that all people wear a cloth face mask in public.
- We rounded up the all of best places to buy them, how to properly wear them, and how to clean them.
- This article was medically reviewed by Aimee Desrosiers, PA-C, MS, MPH, a practicing infectious diseases physician assistant in Washington, DC.
It's been a full year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Although vaccination numbers are increasing daily, it is still super important to wear a face mask.
The CDC recommends that everyone wear a face mask and continue practicing social distancing, even if you've been vaccinated.
Whether you have any symptoms of illness or not, face masks should be one of your most essential daily belongings - right along with your phone, wallet, and keys.
To help you stay persistent at limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus and staying healthy, we rounded up all of the places you can buy cloth face masks, plus everything you need to know about picking them out, effectively wearing them, cleaning them, and more.
Where to buy face masks online
Below is a list of all the articles we've written about face masks. We've rounded up everything from the best face masks you can buy from retailers like Etsy and Amazon to the best face masks for working out to the best ones we've personally tested.
Etsy
Check out the highest-rated options on Etsy here
Etsy has a large selection of homemade masks for sale. It's a great place to find quality cloth face masks if you haven't found one by a well-known name brand that you like. Buying from Etsy is also a great way to support small businesses.
AmazonAmazon
Check out affordable cloth face masks for adults and children on Amazon here
Amazon offers a handful of brand name masks, along with generic face masks in large bulk and one-time use surgical masks. Previously, Amazon limited purchasing surgical masks and other medical-grade equipment to verified healthcare workers, but as supply and demand have evened out, you can now pick them up here too.
UniqloAmir Ismael/Insider
Read our full review on the Uniqlo Airism Face Mask here
The Uniqlo Airism Face Mask was a major hit when it launched in Japan early last year. By the end of 2020, it became available in the United States — and it was clear why they were so popular. The masks are lightweight, breathable, and washable. They're great for wearing in hot weather as well as for double-masking over a surgical mask. They're available in sizes for adults and kids.
EverlaneEverlane
See all of Everlane's face masks here
Everlane makes a variety of face masks, from basic cotton options that are great for running quick errands to more fitted options with a contoured nose. The masks are sold in packs of two, three, or five, and each purchase benefits the ACLU.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
Here are the best face masks we've tested
Over the past year, we've collectively worn a bunch of masks, whether for personal use or for product reviews. Here, you'll find all of our favorites and why we like them.
Best masks for double masking and how to do itAmir Ismael/Insider
Read our full explainer on double-masking here
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, doubling up on face masks is a good idea and "makes common sense."
If you already have single-use surgical masks, you should still invest in a good cloth face mask for doubling up. Here, we've rounded up the best masks for double-masking and a full explainer on why it's a good practice.
Kids' face masksCubcoats
Find affordable cloth face masks for kids here
Kids need masks, too. If you're searching for masks that fit the faces of your little ones well, you'll find many affordable options here.
Lightweight face masksOld Navy
Check out lightweight, breathable face masks to help you stay safe on hot summer days here
If you're particularly interested in masks that are easy to wear in the summer, you'll want to go with one of these lightweight options. Materials like linen or lightweight cotton are still protective but a bit more comfortable to wear in the heat.
Best face masks for working out and runningPrimal; Athleta; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Find the best face masks for working out and running here
Whether you're working out outdoors or in a gym operating at minimal capacity, you'll want to wear a mask that's breathable and secure. These are the best options for running and workouts.
Stylish face masksVida
Check out the brands making stylish, reusable cloth face masks here.
Many of your favorite brands in the textile industry (including those that normally make clothes, shoes, bags, bedding, and more) are using some of their resources to produce masks. Whether you're a brand loyalist, you want a mask that matches some of your other wearable items, or you simply want a mask from a brand you're familiar with, you'll find it here.
How to solve common annoyances associated with face masksEtsy
Common annoyances that come with wearing a face mask — and how to solve them responsibly
From eating and drinking to concealing your mouth from those who read lips, there are some annoyances that come with wearing masks. Fortunately, there are also solutions to these problems — and none of them include skipping a mask altogether.
Why is it important to wear a face mask?Everlane
Wearing a face mask decreases the likelihood of you potentially transmitting the virus, but if everyone in the community around you wears a mask, then it decreases the likelihood of them transmitting it to you.
According to the CDC's most recent estimates, 40% of people infected with the new coronavirus may be asymptomatic or presymptomatic.
Whether you're asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, or showing mild symptoms that could be brushed off as a common cold, there's still a possibility you've contracted the new coronavirus and can unknowingly spread it to others. For this reason, the CDC recommends that everyone, not just those who show symptoms, wear a face mask outside the home.
Note that cloth face masks are not medical grade and that additions like filters have not been proven to be any safer or more effective.
What to look for in a face mask, according to the CDC
A snug fit that sits comfortably against the side of the face and does not gap; ties or ear loops that keep it secure; completely covers the nose and mouth, and fits securely under the chin; two or more layers of fabric; breathability without restriction; and the ability to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to its shape.
How to measure your face for a face mask
While most masks are designed to fit most faces, some will come in more specific sizes like small, medium, and large. If you're stumped on which size to order, the best way to figure it out is to measure your face and then choose based on the brand's size chart. You'll want to use a garment tape measure to get these two measurements:
Measurement #1: Across your face — Going over the bridge of your nose and under your eyes, measure the width of your face.
Measurement #2: From nose to chin — Start from the bridge of your nose and go down to the bottom of your chin.
How to properly clean your cloth face masksthe_burtons/Getty Images
Learn how to properly disinfect your cloth face masks, according to an infectious disease specialist here.
Cleaning your mask is just as important as wearing it in the first place. Wearing or handling a dirty mask can spread germs not limited to just the novel coronavirus. Whether you'd prefer to hand wash or machine wash your masks, here's everything you need to know about doing it.
How to properly wear a face mask, as recommended by CDC's Dr. Paige ArmstrongMore coronavirus-related stories
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