There are many materials that can be used to make cloth face coverings but which materials work best to make cloth face mask? The New York Times interviewed Dr. Segal, of Wake Forest Baptist Health, who led the study for the best material for face mask. Dr Segal saw good results for homemade masks using quilting fabric that "tend to use high-quality, high-thread count cotton."
Dr Segal noted that "the best-performing designs were a mask constructed of two layers of high-quality, heavyweight “quilter’s cotton,” a two-layer mask made with thick batik fabric, and a double-layer mask with an inner layer of flannel and outer layer of cotton."
The New York Times also reached out to Bonnie Browning, executive show director for the American Quilter’s Society, who said that "quilters prefer tightly woven cottons and batik fabrics that stand up over time."
Batik is often made of tightly woven cloth which is why it performs as one of the best material for a face mask. NBC News and New York Magazine also quoted Dr. Segal who said that "you do want to use a woven fabric, like batik."
At Kasih Co-op, we use Indonesian tightly woven cotton fabric with batik prints that are handmade into two and three layers face masks, depending style, with pocket for filters. Take a look at our selections below.
Source:
What's the Best Material for a Mask? - The New York Times
Making your own face mask? Some fabrics work better than others, study finds. - NBC News
We Tested 39 (And Counting) Actually Kind of Stylish Fabric Face Masks - New York Magazine