All about masks

Spack Craft has been supplying masks for a few months now and we have made some adjustments to the care instructions as well as started making a few videos to demonstrate the product features and how to replace some of the parts. 

If you are looking for our pattern to sew one for yourself, please check out the blog article on our sister site, Spack Craft Fabric.

Attachment Styles

Our mask design allows for several different styles of attachment methods (that are all fully replaceable and interchangeable) as well as the ability to replace the nose piece.  

Now that we have secured enough elastic of both sizes, we are offering three different styles of attachment which all have different advantages and disadvantages. 

Want to see what the new elastic styles look like while being worn?

Please note:  These are my personal masks.  All masks sold by Spack Craft have never been worn which is why there are not individual demo pictures on listings.

Which style is right for you?

Which one you choose will depend on personal preference as well as what you are using them for (example: long term wear vs a quick stop).

 Single Loop Cotton Twill Tie

• Best longevity in the wash (especially if using hot water)
• Better for long periods of use (doesn't irritate ears)
• Is the most fiddly to put on

• Least longevity in the wash as thinner elastic is used for better ear comfort. 
• This is the easiest style to put on and off and is best for short term use and quick stops. 
• One set of replacement loops is supplied with each mask and more can be ordered as required
• Tip:  If your ears are irritated by the elastic, try using an ear saver or converter

• This is an option that lives between the other two in terms of longevity in the wash.  The elastic typically doesn't hold up as well as the cotton, however the elastic used for the head loops is twice as wide as the ear loops and should last a little longer before stretching out
• Fits very similar to the cotton twill tie style
• It is a little less adjustable, but can be tweaked based on how tight you have the loops 
• The loops are supplied to an average 30-32" total length (including whats inside the channel), but can be tightened (as much as you want) or loosened 4-6" as the total length supplied is 36".

My personal favourite style is the single loop cotton tie as I find it more comfortable than the elastic over longer periods of time and is more adjustable.  That being said, the elastic styles are great for when you need to put one on in a hurry!  

How to replace the Ear Loops

Check out this video that demonstrates how to replace the elastic ear loops.  This method can be used for any of the attachment styles.

Care Instructions

All of our masks are machine wash (any temperature) and dry, however if you want it to last a little longer (like most fabric items), you need to treat it with some extra care. 

If you are using an elastic attachment style, the hot water will simply reduce the life expectancy of the elastic, but as mentioned above, they are designed so that the elastic can be replaced when this happens.

Personally, I wash all of our masks in cold water on the gentle cycle in a garment bag and same with the dryer (gentle, still in garment bag).  While the current recommendations seem to be wash as hot as you can, many articles follow up with the fact that simple cold water and soap will kill the virus (note: I also iron the masks at the highest heat setting after they go through the wash and the cold water setting is due to the other 'delicates' that are typically in the same load)

If they come out of the dryer a little damp, I hang them to dry and then I press them (cotton setting) with the iron to remove the wrinkles.  

It takes me about 30 seconds per mask to press (when I am not trying to take a video of how I do it) and then I store them in a zip top bag until we are ready to use them.  While this isn't the most environmentally friendly thing to do, I do it so that they stay clean until we are ready to use them and when we are finished wearing them, they go back into the baggie to be transported back to the washing machine.  I don't reuse the bags as they are no longer clean at this point.  

One of our change purses or snack bags would be an environmentally friendly way to accomplish this task as well, still wash after every use though!  I have plans to sew some more for our family to use for this purpose, however most of the sewing time these days has been dedicated to making masks.  

How to iron your mask

If you watch through to the second mask that I press, you will note that you can iron over the cotton tie without worry.  Also, sorry about Mr. Spack Craft's thumb in the upper right of the video partway through, this was his first time recording one for me so I think we can go easy on him!  

How often should you be washing your mask? 

This one is easy!  You should wash your mask before you wear it for the first time and you should wash your mask every time you wear it.  Like gloves, if you take your mask off, you need to put a fresh one on the next time you need one. 

I also wash or otherwise sanitize my hands after taking my mask off as I can't be sure that I didn't touch something on the outside that could potentially be contaminated.  For this very reason, I also don't put the SAME mask back on before I wash it again.  If I need to make two stops and want to take my mask off in the car, I bring two.  

I know I have just said this, but it bears repeating based on the number of times that I have heard of people wearing their masks many many times before washing:

Wash your mask after taking it off for any reason before wearing it again! 

Thanks for stopping in!  I hope that this post helps clarify some of the questions that I have been receiving with regard to face masks!

Stay safe and healthy!