Face Mask guide
Face masks, it may feel like a jungle. Which one is best for the purpose?
Should you choose a reusable fabric face mask or a surgical disposable face mask?
We believe that a fabric face mask provides good protection for daily chores if you are not in the risk group, such as when you shop or drive with public transportation, as long as you also keep your distance and uses hand sanitizer or wash your hands (good hygiene), which you always have done.
The WHO (World Health Organization) and the Danish national board of health emphasize that if you are outside the risk group and without symptoms, fabric face masks provide good protection. The disposable face masks should be used by people who have a special need for protection. It is also important to limit the environmental impact that disposable face masks provide.
WHO's guide to which face mask to choose?
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-and-masks (11th of November)
The Danish national board of health's guide to which face mask to choose?
https://www.sst.dk/-/media/Udgivelser/2020/Corona/Haandtering-af-COVID-19/Haandtering-af-COVID-19---Retningslinjer-for-brug-af-vaernemidler-mv.ashx?la=da&hash=24EE0B3567A766DD8B7109D83319D918ADF25960 (11th of November)
DANISH STANDARD
Our face masks are made according to the guidelines for face masks produced for non-medical use. We have been very careful to make sure that we make the best possible product with the requirements and information that have been available at that time. (October 2020)
We stay up to date in relation to Danish Standards and the development of requirements and knowledge about the subject. We have continuously kept an eye on the quality of our face masks as well as wash-tested durability.
On Friday, 19.02.2021, the Danish Standard published a new standard for fabric face masks. We are in the process to get our face masks ready for testing. We expect these tests to demonstrate compliance with the filtering and breathability limits set forth in the standard. Read about Danish Standard DS3000: 2021
Our face masks are not intended to protect the user himself or other persons but are intended to reduce the spread of secretions in the form of saliva or droplets from the airways, during speech, coughing or sneezing, and to limit the user from touching his nose, mouth and the surrounding area.
Please note that our fabric face masks are not intended for medical use. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, this bandage is unsuitable. They are intended for use in public spaces by persons who do not show clinical signs of viral or bacterial infection.
FILTRATION EFFICIENCY
We have chosen not to test our face masks so we cannot give you information about the filtration efficiency. We have chosen to follow the Danish national board of health guidelines for 3-layer face masks.
Selection from the Danish national board of health website:
If you choose to wear a fabric face mask, it should basically consist of three layers of tightly-woven fabric, eg cotton, be provided with elastics, and be able to sit close to your face, so that it covers both nose and mouth. It must be possible to wash it several times at 60 degrees, and it must be washed once a day or more frequently if it becomes dirty or damp.
Source: https://www.sst.dk/da/nyheder/2020/gode-raad-om-brug-af-mundbind (29th of Oktober 2020)
3-LAYER FACE MASK
In Denmark, there is a requirement to use face masks in public. It is not a requirement that they should be CE approved or medical.
We can offer you three different 3-layers and one 2-layers fabric face mask. We would recommend that you buy the 3-layers, as this is what the Danish national board of health and WHO recommends.
The reason why we have made a 2-layer face mask is that there has been a demand for such from some of our foreign customers, who do not meet recommendations that fabric face masks should be 3-layers, even though it is also WHO's recommendations.
It is important to emphasize that the face masks we sell are not for medical use, it is also important that you communicate it to your customers if you sell the face masks. It is also written on the care label.
OEKO-TEX
Our face masks are in a material that is OEKO-TEX certified and ST1001 Stretch Mask 3-Ply and ST1002 3-Ply Mask are made of organic cotton.
IF YOU WANT TO SELL FABRIC FACE MASKS
If you want to sell fabric masks that are not tested and CE marked as protective equipment or medical equipment, you need to make this known in your marketing. Customers should be aware that the masks are not personal protective equipment or medical equipment and thus do not provide the protection that a protective equipment would normally. Customers must not be able to doubt whether the product protects them from infection.
Source: https://www.sik.dk/erhverv/produkter/personlige-vaernemidler/vejledninger-forbindelse-corona-covid-19/saelge-vaernemidler/ansigtsmasker-og-mundbind-stof-ikke-altid-vaernemidler (10th of December 2020)
WASHING AND USING
We recommend that you put your freshly washed face mask in a bag, so it is not contaminated by lying in your bag or pocket. We also sell small cotton bags with and without print that fits to your face mask. Buy face masks and bags here.
We recommend that you wash both the face mask and the bag at 60°C and that you use it for a maximum of one day. If you need to use the face mask all day, we recommend that you change it 2-3 times.
Here you can watch a movie with WHO recommendations when using a fabric face mask.
https://youtu.be/ciUniZGD4tY (10th of December 2020)
