Where to buy online 2021

Government of Canada health authorities encourage wearing cloth face masks in public where social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or on public transit. In fact, depending on where you live in Canada, you may actually be required by law to wear a face mask when out in public.

Many people turn to cloth face masks if they can’t get their hands on medical-grade N95 and KN95 masks. We’ve rounded up a list of retailers that sell cloth face masks and listed which ones offer free shipping deals, so you can save while you shop.

Where to buy cloth masks online

• Goltum
• Wish
• Amazon
• PatPat
• Bioskin

• Society6
• eBay Canada
• AliExpress
• Walmart
• DHgate

• Ministry of Supply
• Etsy
• CanMedSupply
• Sheridan Computers
• Linen Plus

While not as protective as an N95 or KN95 mask, cloth masks are easy to make yourself or find at retailers. Shop washable makeshift masks from the sites below or read our guide on how to make your own at home.

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Goltum

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10% off personal protective equipment

Save 10% off personal protective equipment with the code. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.

Last verified 10 May 2021

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Coupon code ends 29 Jun 2021

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Which of these retailers offer free delivery on cloth masks?

• Amazon: Free shipping widely available, especially for Prime members
• AliExpress: Free shipping options widely available
• eBay Canada: Free shipping offered by many sellers
• Walmart: Free shipping on qualifying orders to select locations in Canada
• Etsy: Some sellers provide free shipping

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Can’t find face masks? These popular designers are selling trendy cloth options

This information is current as of July 7, 2020.
Face masks may be temporarily out of stock at many stores due to increased demand. But a number of Canadian retailers – including Ellie Mae, Roots, NONIE, AI Toronto Seoul, Peace Collective and Ottawa Artisans – have been selling fashionable designer cloth face masks, some for a limited time only. Even retailers like the NBA Store and the WNBA Store have jumped on the train.

Many online stores are also selling bulk disposable masks. Certain retailers are even donating a portion of profits to charity, making it easy to give back to others while shopping for what you need. Below are a few examples of designers that sell cloth masks online:

Stephano’s Tailor Shop

Family-owned upscale men and women’s retailer, Stephano’s Tailor Shop, is donating one mask to a local organization for each one sold. Masks cost around $14-$22 and come in a variety of styles for kids and adults.

Kwesia

Kwesia sells reversible cotton face masks in trendy African-prints for $13-$15 each. Multipacks are also available for around $70. Masks can be self-tied around the head or strung behind the ears.

Roots

Buy ruggedly stylish, durable and comfortable face masks from Canadian fashion icon, Roots. Each mask is handmade in Toronto and sells for just over $20. A portion of every sale is donated to The Frontline Fund, a charitable effort created by hospital foundation leaders to provide critical support to hospitals across Canada during COVID-19.

How to make your own no-sew cloth face mask

If you have a small swatch of fabric about the size of a napkin, 2 elastics (hair ties or rubber bands will also do the trick), a coffee filter and a pair of scissors, you can easily make your own face mask. No sewing required! Check out our video tutorial below to see how it’s done. Bear in mind that homemade face masks won’t offer the same protection as medical-grade masks.

How to make your own face mask at home

Are people required to wear face masks in Canada?

It depends on where you live. Certain cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston in Ontario have implemented bylaws requiring people to wear face masks when in public. Outside these jurisdictions, businesses and other organizations may still exercise the discretion to require customers and employees to wear face masks. In some regions, wearing a mask is mandatory when riding public transit.

The consequences for failing to follow regional rules usually involve stiff fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

It’s expected that more cities will consider adopting similar bylaws in the future to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as per the World Health Organization’s recommendations. Previously, the WHO had issued a statement advising governments to request that people wear fabric face masks in public.

Take a look at this helpful page on the Government of Canada website to learn more about masks that offer the best protection during COVID-19. You can also learn about when and how to use masks from on the World Health Organization’s site.

Will a cloth mask protect me?

While a cloth mask won’t provide the same level of effectiveness as an N95 or KN95 mask with a valve, the cloth is there to prevent moisture from breathing and coughing from traveling too far in the air. According to KK Cheng, a public health expert at the University of Birmingham in the UK, “It’s not to protect yourself. It’s to protect people against the droplets coming out of your respiratory tract.”

Wearing a cloth mask can at least help you from spreading the virus to others. As you look for masks online, be wary of scams. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to equipment shortages, especially N95 masks. Some unscrupulous sellers are selling fakes to try to profit from the situation. 3M, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of masks, offers a tool to check if a product is genuine.

See the chart below to compare different types of face masks, or check out this helpful page on the Government of Canada website to learn more about masks that offer the best protection during COVID-19.

Are cloth face masks washable?

Yes — most, if not all are machine washable or can be washed by hand. Check the washing instructions for the cloth face mask you’re interested in.

How often should I wash my mask?

Cloth face masks should be washed daily, according to the CDC. Here are some tips for washing your mask:

• Use hot water and a mild laundry detergent.
• Dry your mask completely in a hot dryer.
• Store in a clean container or bag.

How to remove your face mask properly

According to Health Canada, you should first be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before putting on your mask. When you’re ready to take it off, do not touch the front of the mask — it could be contaminated. Instead, wash your hands again and remove the mask by lifting the straps off of your ears or untying it. Discard the mask, and then wash your hands.

Disposable masks should be discarded at the end of the day. Cloth masks can be washed and dried for repeated use.

What's the difference between a P2, FFP2, KN95 and N95 face mask?

Depending on your location, different face mask types are more widely used. For example, in the United States and Canada, N95 are common; in Australia and New Zealand you'll see P2 masks more often; in China, KN95 is the standard. Mask manufacturer 3M, which specialises in filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) masks, offers the following explanation of the main differences between each mask type.

Certification/Class	N95	FFP2	KN95	P2	Korea 1st Class	DS
Filter performance	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	≥ 94%	≥ 94%	≥ 95%
Test agent	NaCl	NaCl and paraffin oil	NaCl	NaCl	NaCl and paraffin oil	NaCl
Flow rate	85 L/min	95 L/min	85 L/min	95 L/min	95 L/min	85 L/min
Total inward leakage (TIL)	N/A	≤ 8% leakage	≤ 8% leakage	≤ 8% leakage	≤ 8% leakage	Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions
Inhalation resistance	≤ 343 Pa	≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)≤ 500 Pa (clogging)	≤ 350 Pa	≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min)	≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min)	≤ 70 Pa (w/valve)≤ 50 Pa (no valve)
Flow rate	85L/min	Varied – seeabove	85L/min	Varied – seeabove	Varied – seeabove	40L/min
Exhalation resistance	≤ 245 Pa	≤ 300 Pa	≤ 250 Pa	≤ 120 Pa	≤ 300 Pa	≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve)
Flow rate	85L/min	160L/min	85L/min	85L/min	160L/min	40L/min
Exhalation valve leakage requirement	Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min	N/A	Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec	Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min	Visual inspection after 300L /min for 30 sec	Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15sec
Force applied	-245 Pa	N/A	-1180 Pa	-250 Pa	N/A	-1,470 Pa
CO2 clearance requirement	N/A	≤ 1%	≤ 1%	≤ 1%	≤ 1%	≤ 1%

Source: 3M

Looking for another type of mask?

Check out the following guides to find information, requirements and retailers that sell specific types of masks.