Here’s Where You Can Buy Non-Medical Face Masks Online Right Now

UPDATE: If you're making any new mask purchases, keep in mind that, as of Nov. 3, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is recommending that Canadians wear three-layer non-medical masks. According to the PHAC, two layers should be made of cotton or linen (or any tightly woven fabric) and the third should be a filter-type fabric (the PHAC suggests non-woven polypropylene).

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is now officially recommending wearing non-medical (cloth) masks in public when it's not possible to avoid maintaining two metres of distance. "If you can’t predict whether you can maintain that two-metre distance, then it’s recommended that you wear the non-medical mask or facial covering," said Chief Medical Officer Theresa Tam at a press conference on May 20.

Face masks and facial coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19 alongside social-distancing and frequent hand-washing. The reason? As many as 25% of people who get the virus could be asymptomatic, so being overly thoughtful by covering your face might not be a bad idea to prevent the spread to others. (Remember, non-medical masks have not been proven to prevent you from contracting COVID-19.)

As a result of this update, you can expect a massive spike in the production and purchase of cloth face coverings within the lifestyle and fashion spaces. In fact, we're already seeing brands pivot to making coverage options more accessible to all. Canadian fashion designers like Toronto-based gender-free label Spender Badu, Roots, and cruelty-free brand Hilary MacMillan are stepping up to help in addition to the thousands of DIY templates and tutorials online. (We have 15 options for stylish made-in-Canada masks here.) These efforts don't just allow for more people to buy masks for personal use, it prevents them from purchasing medical-grade materials healthcare workers on the frontlines require to do their jobs safely.

Read ahead for a list of resources. And don't forget: It’s still considered best practice to not touch your face when wearing your mask.

Spencer Badu is helping by sewing 1,000 face masks a week in support of the #MGH1000Masks Challenge. For every mask purchased, one will be donated to Michael Garron Hospital; a donation to the Humber River Hospital will also be made. These cotton masks are handsewn with a built-in removable 3M air filter system and should be washed daily. The air filter is one-time-use only so just be sure to carefully discard it.

This Toronto-based designer is producing 100 non-medical masks each week for front line workers in Ontario. The masks are not available for personal purchase, however you can make a donation which will help shelters, charities, grocery-store employees, and elderly homes.

Calgary's NONIE (the line is a favourite of Meghan Markle) is now selling non-medical masks made of upcycled cotton. For every mask purchased, designer Nina Kharey will donate another mask to frontline healthcare workers. Kharey hopes to expand into making medical gowns soon.

This NYC-based sport bag brand has launched an initiative to get non-medical grade masks to as many people as possible. Reusable, machine-washable, and designed for comfort, these masks — available for pre-order for the week of April 17 — are constructed from excess fabric cuttings of Caraa bags to reduce waste and make use of these leftover pieces for good.

Since the beginning of this outbreak, fashion brand Alice + Olivia has been mobilizing its teams to create and distribute protective masks to hospitals and communities in need. Now, they're helping to stop community spread with non-medical protective masks made available to the public. The masks are made from jersey material for reuse, wash-ability, and comfort and are currently available for pre-order for the week of April 20. Plus, for every mask sold, Alice + Olivia will donate one to the medical community and beyond.

To pre-order a Staceface Protective mask, click here.

After a few prototypes following guidelines set forth by the City of L.A. and the California health care non-profit Kaiser Permanente, the factory of fashion brand Monogram managed to create its own non-medical community masks. While they sold out of 10,000 masks within the first 24 hours, Monogram expects to be going live with even more inventory in a few days. Each order includes two masks shipped to its purchaser along with two additional masks donated to workers at essential businesses in L.A. The masks are 100% cotton jersey, machine-washable, and reusable.

To request to be notified when a pack of 2 non-medical cotton jersey masks is available, click here.

While it's tough to find any of the essentials like toilet paper or hand sanitizer on Amazon these days, you can occasionally get your cyber paws on packs of disposable masks made from non-woven fabrics for easy breathability. If you can't order them right away, you can still make a purchase now for a delivery in late April or May.

To order a pack of 100 disposable face masks, click here.

This practical luxury goods brand is making non-medical grade masks for personal use that are available in packs of five to purchase or to donate. The masks are reusable and machine-washable, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund.

To order a pack of 5 reusable face masks, click here.

While you won't find any medical-grade products available on Etsy, many of its crafty vendors have shifted to selling handmade masks and other fabric gear that serves as a barrier between you and your surroundings.

If you're feeling crafty, grab some supplies (elastic, fabric, and a sewing kit), a pattern, or freestyle a mask of your own.