Picking the right material for a face mask can help keep you safe.

 

• Using doubled up 600-thread count pillowcases or flannel pajamas, you could make a mask that provides up to 60 percent filtration.
• Other materials that can be used to filter out dangerous particles include HEPA filters, vacuum cleaner bags, and quilter’s cotton.
• But be careful of materials like household air filters that may contain fiberglass. They could still damage your lungs, even if they filter out virus particles.

      According to LaBrot, a surgical mask (that’s not an N95) only filters out about 60 to 65 percent of particles, which is normal for this type of mask.

He explains that by using doubled up 600-thread count pillowcases or flannel pajamas, you could make a mask that provides up to 60 percent filtration.