Handle your mask as little as possible, washing your hands thoroughly before and after use. Place the strap over your head and your hands will be free to position and adjust the ear loops. Ideally, you should wash your mask daily and after trips to public places. Machine wash and air dry. Hand washing may be more convenient. Use detergent or a grease-cutting dish soap in a bowl of hot tap water, lather up well, then let soak in very hot water (I add a kettle of boiling water to the mixing bowl) for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing and air drying.

The knitted elastic has excellent stretch. The neck strap hangs loosely in back to serve as a “keeper” so you won’t lose your mask or put it down in an unsanitary place. The ear loops are easily adjusted by repositioning the toggles. If you prefer a fitted strap, slide both toggles until they almost meet at the back, adjusting the elastic for a good fit, then tie the loose ends together.

The aluminum nose strip should be molded to your nose and cheeks to prevent gaps. The strip is removeable through a small opening in the top casing, accessible from the upper inside corner of the mask. Gently gather the layers of fabric between your fingers to work the strip to the opening. An extra strip is included with each mask. Do not remove the adhesive covering before carefully inserting the new strip with the unprinted side facing the outside of the mask. 

This mask does not provide medical grade protection, nor is it intended to replace social distancing. To help stop the spread of disease during outbreaks, please stay home whenever possible. If you must go out in public, the CDC recomends using a cloth face covering. Covering your face is to protect others as well as yourself.