According to an article published in the Cambridge University Press, a vacuum cleaner bag has similar filtration to a surgical mask. We developed a process to make a face mask out of vacuum cleaner bags so you can make them at home! This home made mask is not a replacement for a N95 face mask or a surgical mask, but in these challenging times the CDC is recommending using a face covering in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Additionally there are also alternate cloth face coverings that can be used to help slow the spread of the virus. The vacuum cleaner bag in this post does not contain fiberglass. We do have KN95 face masks in stock which will be a better alternative to the homemade vacuum bag mask. One thing we can say is that the DIY vacuum cleaner bag mask is more affordable than the FDA approved KN95 mask.
We tested an alpha version of a face mask made from a high filtration vacuum cleaner bag. Paper vacuum cleaner bags are not recommended. This mask may provide a means of protecting yourself and family while you're out in public – if you must travel outside your home. During these challenging times, with mask shortages throughout the country and the world, we though this could be an alternative to having nothing at all. This vacuum cleaner bag material may also be used as an insert to a home made fabric mask.
Please see the step by step process on how to make a face mask out of a vacuum cleaner bag and hair ties. To see a more advanced process for making a face mask please see this youtube video.
For this example we used an Electrolux high efficient vacuum cleaner bag. Other HEPA vacuum bags can be used.
This version can be made, by cutting the vacuum cleaner bag in half and then inserting the hair ties into the outer layer of the material. This version maintains the seals around the edges of the vacuum bags, and does not puncture the inner filtration lining.
1. Alternatively another version can be made, by taking a highly efficient vacuum cleaner bag, and cut off the cardboard.
2. Cut the vacuum cleaner bag along two seams.
3. Lay the bag material out flat and cut it to the dimensions of a Curad Antiviral Facemask, 6 ½ inches by 3 ¾ inches. You should be able to make approximately 5 masks per vacuum cleaner bag.
4. Next insert a fishing hook into each side to make a hole so you can affix a hair tie to the bag material.
5. Then insert the hair tie though the each hole and loop it around, then pull the hair tie firm. You could also try adding pipe cleaners to pinch it to your nose.
6. The mask is done and ready to be used.
Now some of the warning that are on most manufactures masks as well as a few our own:
- This mask does not eliminate the risk of contracting any disease or infection.
- The cardboard part of the bag that we did not use does contain latex.
- For adult use only
- Do not use if hypersensitive to copper or zinc.
- Replace if damaged or soiled
- Use at your own risk
- Not FDA Approved
- Ask your medical professional for guidance with home made masks.
Related Articles: Do HEPA Vacuum Bags Contain Fiberglass | DIY Cloth Face Mask and Vacuum Bag Face Masks
