What Mask Filters Should We Sell?

As you probably know by now etee stands for everything touches everything else.  Our goal is for all our products to come from the earth and return to the earth, meaning biodegradable, eco-certified ingredients (non-toxic) and plastic-free.

Now that we're in the middle of a Global Pandemic, we are challenged with the desire to stay true to our mission, while also providing the protection people deserve.

You see, while Our FaceMasks fit perfectly with this mission - they are made with GOTS certified organic cotton and they are reusable - it is recommended to use a filter to ensure the masks provide maximum protection.

 

So we've been looking at filter options and the quickest to get in stock, cheapest and most tested is the disposable/single-use PM2.5 multi-layer, activated charcoal filter (with layers of synthetic melt-blown fabric), BUUUUT it's single use and it won't biodegrade any time soon.

Disposable/single-use PM2.5 set of 10 for $10.99. QUICK TO MARKET, SINGLE USE & NON-BIODEGRADABLE, PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRUSES

At the other end of the spectrum is a cotton filter that is more expensive, will take longer to bring to market and is not as proven. 

Reusable antibacterial cotton filter - set of 4 for $12.00USD. SLOW TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, EXPENSIVE and unproven.

 

Another option that has been popping up in DIY circles is the Coffee filter.  It is - as yet - unproven, but it would be biodegradable and less expensive to produce.  

Disposable paper filter (coffee filter type) - set of 20 for $5.99. REASONABLE SPEED TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, UNPROVEN

Soooo, with this in mind, we're feeling that in light of the Pandemic, it makes most sense to get the PM2.5 filter to market as quickly as possible while we continue to look into the more sustainable options; both from an 'ecological footprint' perspective AND from a functionality perspective.

We always LOVE to hear your perspectives though, and we read all of your comments and take everything you say into consideration, so....

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
 

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Comments


  • I would work on the coffee filter idea, as it is cheap and can be taken to market most quickly. At the same time, I would be working on the cotton filter idea. Even though it’s expensive, I think people will like that it’s reusable. Like others have mentioned, I would note for both that these filter ideas are currently unproven. Another thing that you can work on that might work for customers like Crystal (who left a comment on May 18 that I read) would be to switch out the elastic on the masks for cotton cords on either side with a wooden “bauble” (I don’t know what it’s called) that could cinch the cords to more precisely fit around people’s ears to give a better fit. And I’ve seen headbands that have buttons on the sides that mask elastics can be attached to instead of being held behind the ears; the benefit of these headbands is that they would make the masks more comfortable for a longer period of time.

    Virginia Currah on
  • Here’s the latest research on this topic, published in the May 15 AARP Webletter email, a way to get up to 99% protection, better than the N95 mask!!
    Quote:
    Best Face Mask Materials: Cotton With Chiffon

    If you are making a homemade mask, a new study published in the scientific journal ACS Nano found that homemade face masks that use a combination of tightly woven cotton and polyester-spandex chiffon or silk will provide a very effective filter for the aerosol particles that spread the COVID-19 virus. Masks made with one layer of cotton and two layers of chiffon (a netlike fabric often found in evening gowns) or silk will filter out some 80 to 99 percent of particles — similar to the effectiveness of the N95 mask material — due to the electrostatic barrier of the fabric. But here’s the kicker: The mask must have a snug fit. Even a 1 percent gap reduces the filtering of all face masks by 50 percent or more.

    Juliet on
  • I ordered 2. I received that ugly color lime green. Both are too small for my head. My ears keep bending and the masks fall off! I won’t ask for a refund because they are probably all the same size since there was no option for size. Yes, I am disappointed. One day someone will come and be able to put longer elastic on the masks, I hope!

    Crystal Bujol on
  • I have ordered a product called Meltblown Cloth from Amazon that claims to be made of a “new generation of environmentally feindly materials, which is breathable, flexible, lightweight, non-burning, easy to decompose, non-toxic, non-irritating, recyclable, etc.” We have not received the shipment as of yet, however am looking forward to trying it with the masks. It comes in a 20 metre roll (like a toilet paper roll) and can be cut to size. I’m sorry I can’t provide more of a personalized review at this time, but could follow up once the material has been received.

    Andrea on
  • re the May 19th inquiry about hepa vacuum filters: I thought this might be a good idea previously until I watched a video by a pulmonary/lung specialist who absolutely advocated against using them – he stated there would be particles from the filter entering your respiratory system that would not be beneficial.

    Karen on
  • I would go with the disposable coffee filter type. This way it covers kind of both your ideas of having something that can help filter out germs (just state that its “unproven” as you did here) with also being biodegradable. Both are a good marketing strategy while still being cost effective.

    Heather on
  • Definitely go with a biodegradable earth friendly option, because that’s what your company stands for and if you sell a synthetic version, it will harm your brand, and sully the perception that customers have, knowing they can buy from Etee, and there’s a guarantee of the product being earth-safe.

    DEgan on
  • I’d go with the coffee filters until a more sustainable option is available. I use a CPAP machine and those filters work well.

    Marta Roller on
  • Coffee filter
    I saw a video that soaked them in salt water and dry them to add another layer of protection. The idea is that salt cures meat by killing germs creating a second barrier. It would do the same with the mask.

    Sharon Fraser on
  • Can you sell the Hepa vacuum filters?

    Kim Whittle on

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