General Discussion

Ms. Toad

(38,853 posts)

67. I'm suggesting it is too heavy to bend to conform to your face.

Thu Nov 26, 2020, 08:56 PM

Nov 2020

All nose bridges/cheeks are shaped differently - to get a tight seal the wire has to conform to your unique shape. Paper clips are another favorite of maskmakers on the too heavy end (the opposite of the pipe cleaner/twist tie) - they just don't bend easily to your personal shape.

When they don't bend easily, you get an inconsistent seal - some parts painfully tight(creating an indentation), and gaps in other places where the wire is straight but your face isn't.

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I have a rather dumb sounding question: Would spraying the front of my mask with Purell [View all] CTyankee Nov 2020 OP

No because you won't be able to breathe through it then mr_lebowski Nov 2020 #1

Lysol spray would be better Vivienne235729 Nov 2020 #2

OMG the stench would asphyxiate me and would linger. Use plain isopropyl then let it evaporate. lagomorph777 Nov 2020 #14

Get a KN95 mask on line. Chinese version of an N95 mask. I use mine... LAS14 Nov 2020 #3

I get NOISH N95 masks from Texas Safety Supply. They have elastic cloth straps and last a long time. TheBlackAdder Nov 2020 #13

I looked on their site and everything seemed to be out of stock. phylny Nov 2020 #49

Sorry, but KN95s are generally as useful as paper masks. sir pball Nov 2020 #15

Angela Merkel wears KN95. moondust Nov 2020 #27

They CAN be up to spec, as I said. sir pball Nov 2020 #32

The respirators have exhalation valves. LisaL Nov 2020 #41

It's trivial to cover the valve with a square of fabric sir pball Nov 2020 #48

Probably not. The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2020 #4

thank you for the science behind this. It is very enlightening. CTyankee Nov 2020 #7

I tried Lysol a couple times and then I switched to this stuff. tanyev Nov 2020 #5

That could be decreasing the filtration ability of the masks. LisaL Nov 2020 #43

I don't care what anyone says, I spray my clothes and outer wear with Lysol before stepping outside Boogiemack Nov 2020 #6

I see some people that wear a face mask and a face shield. Blue_true Nov 2020 #11

We got some simple, cheap face shields at Costco hamsterjill Nov 2020 #37

I tried safety glasses early on, but most fog up, even when I Blue_true Nov 2020 #39

Your nose wire probably isn't the right grade. Ms. Toad Nov 2020 #59

I have fogged up while wearing an N95 mask from 3M. Blue_true Nov 2020 #61

If you don't have a tight seal, your glasses will fog. Ms. Toad Nov 2020 #64

N95s do have a heavy nose wire, it made imprints in my face. nt Blue_true Nov 2020 #66

I'm suggesting it is too heavy to bend to conform to your face. Ms. Toad Nov 2020 #67

These don't seem to fog. hamsterjill Nov 2020 #60

Depends. Blue_true Nov 2020 #8

What is the light test? n/t moonscape Nov 2020 #9

I found this: Arkansas Granny Nov 2020 #17

Take the mask, hold it up to a bright light source and look through the part Blue_true Nov 2020 #18

Thanks! n/t moonscape Nov 2020 #57

For Alcohol... ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #20

Thanks, I didn't know about the agitation effect. Blue_true Nov 2020 #22

If It's Long Enough, It Would ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #25

OR mask guidelines Runningdawg Nov 2020 #10

and get a DUI in the process Demonaut Nov 2020 #12

Not For Long ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #16

I wear a face shield and a mask for extra protection. Yavin4 Nov 2020 #19

I have been thinking about adding a face shield. Blue_true Nov 2020 #24

You really should protect your eyes with face shield, goggles or glasses. LisaL Nov 2020 #42

Good. I wear glasses. CTyankee Nov 2020 #56

Same here... LuckyCharms Nov 2020 #35

It might cause more air intake along any gaps. Buckeye_Democrat Nov 2020 #21

I think that people keep forgetting how this Rice4VP Nov 2020 #23

I don't understand the anti-mask people. Blue_true Nov 2020 #26

I Keep 2 On My Gear Selector ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #30

Oh please don't do that!! Talk about irritation to the mucous membranes of your bronchial tree Thekaspervote Nov 2020 #28

A square of paper towel on the inside would be better. GoCubsGo Nov 2020 #29

Nylon, At That Molecular Density... ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #31

Panty hose is supposed to go over the mask to seal gaps. LisaL Nov 2020 #44

I Know ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #45

Yep. GoCubsGo Nov 2020 #65

When I go to a high risk area, LuckyCharms Nov 2020 #33

either add one of those plastic shields (which I see for sale in the drug store now) IcyPeas Nov 2020 #34

Alcohol (the main ingredient in Purell and other sanitizers) evaporates very quickly, The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2020 #36

Spot On! ProfessorGAC Nov 2020 #46

Are you able to expose your mask to unfiltered sunlight Maru Kitteh Nov 2020 #38

As far as I can tell, no. LisaL Nov 2020 #40

I spray both sides my cloth masks with 70% alcohol between uses. denbot Nov 2020 #47

No. Many chemicals can damage the fiber matrix of NIOSH approved masks..... KY_EnviroGuy Nov 2020 #50

Why don't you use pick up or delivery service? cwydro Nov 2020 #51

It evaporates so not useful. What you can do for zooks Nov 2020 #52

It evaporates so not useful. What you can do for zooks Nov 2020 #53

I have a package of them from my pharmacy. I use masks more than once per mask. CTyankee Nov 2020 #55

It's not good to breathe toxic odors BainsBane Nov 2020 #54

No. The alcohol evaporates rapidly. Crunchy Frog Nov 2020 #58

This mask is impregnated Mosby Nov 2020 #62

Thank you! It's good to know this! CTyankee Nov 2020 #68

Honestly... SlogginThroughIt Nov 2020 #63

I think it is a bad idea. Purell has chemicals besides alcohol GulfCoast66 Nov 2020 #69