How To: Make an Impromptu Dust Mask

  • By Captain DIY
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  • 20 Dec, 2017
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Starting a dirty job but you forgot about the dust clouds? All you need is a long sleeve shirt!
Disclaimer-Captain DIY and DIYtoFI.blog highly recommend exercising extreme caution when attempting DIY projects. Not everybody can do everything, and some things should only be done by professionals. Keep your digits attached, and keep the insurance company off of your back. Do it right or call the right people!
Alright, you have your pile of tools ready, your brother-in-law is standing by with a sledgehammer, and you’re ready to dive into the demo on your kitchen remodel project. You take a good swing at the wall, and the first thing that happens is you get a face full of drywall dust. Tasty! Looks like you forgot to pick up some dust masks .
Never fear! Your pal the Captain is here with a simple solution to your simple problem. No need to go running to the big box hardware store to grab a couple paper masks. All you need is a long sleeve shirt and a bit of creativity. Or in this case, access to this fine blog.
Scientific analysis concludes: it’s a shirt.
As evidenced by photo #1, I own a long sleeve shirt. Preferably a fairly clean one, or else it’s gonna be a stinky ride.
Take said long sleeve shirt and fold the top down just a bit. You’ll understand why later.
Now place the shirt against your face just below your eyes.
Bring the sleeves around behind your head and cross them so the sleeve that was in your right hand is now in your left and the one from your left is now in your right hand.
Swing those suckers back around front and tie them off in a loose knot under your chin.
Remember that little fold from the beginning? If you have any features like the proud beak yours truly carries around, there’s a chance that shirt has slipped down a bit during the tying process. Unfold the top as necessary to make sure you have good coverage, and you can get on with your demo!
Also works as identity theft protection!
Granted, this is not an OSHA approved air filtration device. It sure as hell beats eating chunks of dust all day, and it’ll save the need for the semi-hourly nose blow as the job goes on. Enjoy the DIY dust mask for the day, and then go get some proper masks . Seriously, you’re wearing your shirt on your face.