The “dirt-bike” or sports dust masks are really popular. A lot of folks know them from using them at events like Burning Man and Coachella. The issue with a lot of “dirt bike” style masks is the exhalation valves which are totally unfiltered. This makes these masks pretty useless for COVID-19 safety. You can read more about what the CDC says about masks with valves.
Everything I used for this 2-min hack:
- CLUX Mesh Black Face Mask with Black Carbon Filter by Continental Luxury (amazon)
- small (not tiny) rubber bands – one for each valve
- Scissors
- Non-Woven Polypropylene Fabric (woven fabric will work too)
I assembled the mask according to manufacturers’ directions. I cut the filter fabric to go over the valve with a very generous overlap – you can always cut off the excess. Then I slipped the rubber band over 2 layers of filter fabric to secure it to the Valve. This covers the valve and any leaky spots around the opening.
![sport mask disassembled](https://www.acemonstertoys.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/festival-mas-hack1-300x300.jpg)
![value hole on mesh part of the mask](https://www.acemonstertoys.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/festival-mas-hack2-300x300.jpg)
![fabric, mask, and rubber band](https://www.acemonstertoys.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/festival-mas-hack3-300x300.jpg)
![filtered valve](https://www.acemonstertoys.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/festival-mas-hack4-300x300.jpg)
![filtered valve close up](https://www.acemonstertoys.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/festival-mas-hack5-300x300.jpg)