MATERIAL WORLD: The best and worst of DIY coronavirus masks

Materials like coffee filters perform exceptionally well at filtering tiny particles, but they are so difficult to breathe through they aren’t practical for making face masks. Based on a combination of breathability and filtration effectiveness, the best materials for homemade masks are:

• Denim (10oz)
• Bed sheets (80-120 thread)
• Paper towel
• Canvas (0.4-0.5mm thick)
• Shop towel

*** Researchers say that scarves rank among the poorest at capturing virus-sized particles ***