Cover Up! Where to Get Kids Face Masks in San Diego
Where to find face masks seems to be what most people are looking for nowadays. I’ve pulled resources and recommendations together from my Instagram followers and put them all in the list below. Most of them are here in San Diego so shop local if you can. Below are some considerations when deciding which mask to buy. Scroll further down for where to shop.
A quick note about face masks...they will not protect you from outside airborne particles entering through your face mask. They are only intended to help prevent YOU from infecting OTHERS. When you wear a face mask, you're preventing your own airborne particles from spreading to others. So if everyone wears a face mask, the general risk of viruses spreading are lowered. Even if you are young and healthy, you may be an asymptomatic carrier and not know it while spreading the virus to others if you don't wear one.
The current orders state that you must have a face mask with you at all times when you leave your house. You only need to put it on when you are within 6' of someone not from your household or when you're inside or near a place of business to help prevent your airborne particles from landing on nearby surfaces that others may touch.
FACE MASK CONSIDERATIONS
AGE: Current local San Diego orders calls for kids 3 years old and up to wear a face mask when coming within 6' of someone from outside of their household when out in public.
DO NOT put a face mask on a child 2 years old or under. When using face masks for younger kids 3+ please use adult supervision at ALL TIMES to ensure their proper use and make sure it does not slip around their neck.
From the orders I read, I understand them to mean that everyone needs to have a mask WITH THEM at all times when leaving your house. The mask is to be WORN when you are within 6' of someone from outside your household, and while inside grocery stores, hardware stores or other locations where people are getting essential items. Please ensure you read the orders correctly as it's easy to misinterpret and information is changing daily.
COST: Prices vary from free up to $30, but average around $10-$15.
FILTERS (*WARNING!!): Some are sewn with a filter pocket and some are not. For those that have a filter pocket, you have the option to add your own filter inside if you need extra protection. Those with a filter pocket don’t come with a filter, you have to source your own.
Personally, I got masks with a filter pocket for my family, but don't plan to use a filter unless we need to go inside a grocery store or the doctor's office, urgent care/ER, etc. We'll of course bring our masks with us everywhere else we go as required, but won't use a filter for our outings to go hiking and walking.
Also please note that this information is based on the research that I did and feel comfortable with using for my own family, which you may not feel the same way about. During this time everyone can be all over the map based on your own personal comfort level with everything going on right now. That is OK! You choose what's best for your family based on your own research and comfort. This is merely a guide to give you some ideas to consider when doing your own research. I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, so the following should not be taken as medical advice or anything of the like.
See below for the best (and WORST!) material to use for a face mask insert...
*WARNING!!
(edited) I've seen lots of places suggesting to use a HEPA filter like those for air conditioners or vacuum cleaner bags, BUT someone informed me those likely have CHEMICALS in them and should NOT be used.
-->Upon further research, some of those HEPA filter bags actually contain microscopic glass fibers that would be harmful to your lungs if they were inhaled. Please DO NOT repurpose HEPA filters made for other products as a face mask insert!
-->The other type of HEPA filter that is not made with microscopic glass fibers (Filtrete brand) is made with Polypropylene plastic fibers and strands. I wouldn't want to breathe plastic fibers into my lungs anymore than I would the fiberglass from the other brands. They all have posted warnings on their websites stating those are not made nor should they be used for face mask inserts.
WHAT FILTERS TO USE:
Some safer filter options noted to use could be "coffee filters, paper towels and the tissues with the Vick’s work well". Here's a link for your reference and based on this, these are actually the best for using a filter:
HERO coffee filters and kitchen towels were ranked after surgical masks and HEPA filters (don't use these, see warning above), BUT they are very hard to breathe through.
The best filtering breathable materials to use for face mask filter inserts are:
Paper Towels!
Thick Canvas 1-1.2mm
Bed Sheets, 100% cotton, 120 thread count
MATERIAL: Most studies show that two layers of 100% cotton offers one of the best filtering/breathability material to use for homemade face masks. Some of those listed below offer triple layers of 100% cotton; which is slightly better than two layers. One of the worst fabrics to use as a face cover are bandanas and scarves; which only filter out about 10% particles, but still they're better than nothing.
STYLE: Check the styles of each one you’re considering to see if it’ll work for you. Some are tie backs and that's honestly annoying to have to tie them on every time you need to cover up. Instead, look for ones with elastic ear straps, while some include a behind the head strap where you can unhook an ear strap and connect it behind your head for a more comfortable wear.
PATTERNS: Some have plain solid ones while others have all kinds of cute patterns with flowers, fruits and kid’s characters like Disney and unicorns. Most of their materials are limited and they’ll usually post once a week which patterns they were able to get and which ones have sold out or are still available. Some allow you to pick and choose while others don’t have a large selection.
SIZES: Some makers only make one size, while others have several sizes and even some for kids. If they have elastic, it's easy to just tie a knot in it to make the proper size.
WASH: You should wash masks in hot water before and after each use, or as otherwise noted on care instructions.
(edited) Most makers advise NOT to put these in the dryer because they might shrink and won't fit properly, also the elastic could melt in the dryer. Hand wash or use washing machine, but AIR DRY instead.
DONATIONS: Most of the local one-woman businesses are donating one mask to a local healthcare worker or frontline worker for every mask purchased. Not all are doing this, so if this is something you want to support consider buying from those who are donating.
WHERE TO GET A FACE MASK
Next Door
Check your local Next Door app because lots of locals are making and selling or donating them. If you don’t see any posts about it ask if someone is making them or would be willing to make one who knows how to sew. You can find diagrams online.
Etsy
Etsy has a lot of options and usually with a quick turnaround shipping, but this varies with each maker. You’ll find more patterns, prints, fabrics and styles on here. If you're looking for a specific pattern, it's easy to type it in and search for it.
Tailor Shops
Check your local tailor shop or dry cleaners to ask if they’re making and selling any.
Here’s one in Clairmont:
Lido Tailor Shop in Clairemont
Ph: 619-275-5370
Addy: 3047 Clairemont Dr., 92117
Web: no website
Recommendations in no particular order are below. I tried looking up most of these that I could to include more information for you, but I wasn’t able to spend a ton of time getting every single detail. So click to each one to ask them your specific questions.
LOCAL TO SAN DIEGO:
(added) Instagram: @paradigmmasksd
Background: These parents are living in their car due to a medical injury and lost their housing. Their daughters moved in with their aunt while they get back on their feet. During a free dinner at Resolved Church, they connected with someone who gave them a sewing machine, fabric is donated from the San Diego Quilters Guild and mask making space at the church for them. They work from morning to night making masks trying to save enough to get a new place and get their girls back. Please consider buying a mask to help them out.
Cost: $10/kids, $15/adults
Shipping: FREE
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton
Choose your color: Depends on what materials get donated by San Diego Quilters Guild
Patterns: LOTS of great pattern options
Contact: call/text 858-987-6944
Order: email to paradigmmasksd@gmail.com
Include: your Name, # Masks, Sizes: Kids or Adult, YOUR phone # and they'll reply when ready
(added) Instagram: @sewloka (Barrio Logan)
Cost: FREE but donations are appreciated by Venmo @sewloka
Shipping: pick up only in Barrio Logan (2113 Logan Ave.)
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: unk
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 100% cotton
Choose your color: No, depends on what materials get donated to her
Patterns: whatever materials get donated to her
Contact: text her at 818-493-8368
Order: include your Name, # Masks (limit 5), Kids or Adult size, YOUR phone # and she'll reply when they're ready
Instagram: @wink.atelier (Chula Vista mom)
Cost: $16
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: 2-3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: 4 sizes for Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: Lots of fun, whimsical and neutral patterns, even a color your own fabric option!! Cactus, astronauts, fun scienctists, floral, dirt biking, beer, comics, pugs, mermaids, dinosaurs, birds, more
Contact: Instagram DM
Web: Wink Atelier
Instagram: @londonandlulu (San Diego mom)
Cost: $12/adults, $10/kids
Shipping: $4 flat rate USPS, 5-7 days after order
Timeframe: 2-3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: Kids, Adult Women & Men’s
Kids: Yes, ages 3-6 and 7-12 sizes
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: so many cute patterns, Disney, fruits, solids, florals
Contact: Instagram DM
Web: London and Lulu
Instagram: @FarmgirlCloth (El Cajon)
Cost: $10
Shipping: FREE US orders with code “FREESHIPMASK20”
Timeframe: 1-2 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: Adults
Kids: unk
Fabric: 100% cotton, includes a free “ear saver” piece that allows you to unsnap the ear loop to attach behind your head
Choose your color: Yes, restocked on Tuesdays, check Instagram for updates
Patterns: lots of cute and fun patterns
Contact: Instagram DM
Web: FarmGirl Cloth
Instagram: @katkrafel (San Diego)
Cost: $15
Shipping: 1st class USPS
Timeframe: 2-3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: Kids, Adults Regular, Adults Large
Kids: Yes, ages 2-8
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: solids only but 19 different colors to choose from!
Contact: Instagram DM
Web: Veiled Beauty
Instagram: @vrinstashop (San Diego)
Cost: $25 for 3 includes shipping
(I saw previously she was selling individually for $5 pick up or + $5 mail so ask about this)
Shipping: included
Timeframe: order Wednesdays, ships out on Saturdays
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: unk
Sizes: Kids, Adults, XL
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 100% cotton
Choose your color: based on availability
Patterns: limited, but you can send her fabric to make one
Contact: send DM to Instagram
Instagram/Etsy: @axelandbearcreations (Chula Vista)
Cost: $9
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: 1-2 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: unk
Kids: unk
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton with tie back closures (not elastic)
Choose your color: unk
Patterns: unk
Contact: Instagram DM
Instagram: @madeintheorchard (San Diego military mom)
Cost/Kid’s: $9-11 donation
Shipping: pick up curbside locally or she’ll ship
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: Yes, it’s a middle layer sewn in with a Merv 13 Filtrete 3M filter
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: triple layer 100% cotton (middle layer is a sewn in filter!), tie back (not elastic)
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: lots of cute patterns, kids too
Contact: Instagram
Instagram: @bayparkfishco (Bay Park)
Cost: $3 each
Shipping: unk, probably just a pick up in store?
Timeframe: same day? WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Buy 1 Donate 1: no
Filter Pocket: unk
Sizes: Kids, Adults Regular, Adults Large
Kids: Yes, ages 2-8
Fabric: unk cloth
Choose your color: Blue only?
Patterns: no
Contact: 619-276-3474
Store Hours: everyday 11:30am-8pm
(added) Instagram: @sandiegocraftcollective (San Diego)
Cost: $15
Shipping: curbside pick up from Liberty Station or mail
Timeframe: same day?
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: Toddler, Little Kids, Adult Small, Adult Large
Kids: Yes, toddler and kids
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton
Choose your color: Partially, indicate your preference of pattern/color in purchase comments and they’ll try to accommodate
Patterns: lots of colors and patterns
Contact: Instagram DM or call 858-499-9249
Web: San Diego Craft
*(added) Instagram: @sophia_and_sam (San Diego)
Etsy: SophiaAndSamOrganics
Cost: $15 ea or discounted with multiple packs of 3 or 7
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: No
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
*Fabric: 100% ORGANIC cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: limited colors/patterns but really cute; bikes, wood tree pattern, animals (giraffes, bears, elephants, birds)
Contact: Instagram DM or website
Web: Sophia And Sam
(added) Instagram: @peaceom_encinitas
FREE US orders $40+ with code “PEACEOM”
Cost: $7.50, $10, $15
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: Some
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 2-3 layered 100% cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: limited colors/patterns…polka dots, stars, green camo, solids: black, white, yellow, purple, black, mint
Contact: Instagram DM or website
Web: PeaceOm
OUTSIDE OF SAN DIEGO:
Instagram: @fitchandstitch
Cost: $11
Shipping: FREE U.S. orders with code “SHIPFREE”
Timeframe: 1 week or less from your order date
Buy 1 Donate 1: YES
Filter Pocket: Yes, filter is included and washable!! (Pellon Interfacing)
Sizes: Toddler, Kids, Teen, Adult, XL
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 3 layers of 100% cotton
Choose your pattern: Yes
Patterns: cute ones, kids patterns, fruits, flowers, camo, animals, dinosaurs, Disney, superheros, unicorns, checks, solids, comics, more
Contact: fitchandstitch@gmail.com
Shop: TotBoxx (small family owned shop in Chicago)
Cost: $10 each
Shipping: 15% off + FREE US shipping with code “TOGETHER”
Timeframe: unk
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: Kids
Kids: Yes
Fabric: triply layer 100% cotton/jersey
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: solids, stripes, bananas, lt blue camo, comic
Contact: website
LARGER COMPANIES THAT ARE NOW SELLING FACE MASKS
(added) Instagram: @oldnavy
Cost: $12.50 for a 5 pack
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: right away
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: Kids, Adults one size each
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 3 layers of 100% cotton
Choose your color: no, but there are 5 different cute prints per pack
Patterns: assorted prints made from leftover material scraps
Web: Old Navy
(added) Instagram: @lele_sadoughi
Cost: $25 for kids set of 2; $40 for adults set of 3 (designer brand)
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: right away
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: Yes
Sizes: Kids, Adults one size each
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 3 layers of 100% cotton
Choose your color: yes, but limted
Patterns: boys (tie die blue, blue stripe); girls (pink stripe, yellow flowers); women's (flowers, stripes, stars, hearts)
Web: Lele Sadoughi
(added) Instagram: @cubcoats
Cost: $12.99 for a 2 pack
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: unk
Donations: Yes, 10% profits donated to Feeding America
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: Kids
Kids: Yes
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton with metal nosepiece
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: animal prints made to match their Cub Coats: puppy, tiger, kitty, bear
Contact: Instagram DM?
Web: Cubcoats
Instagram: @heathertaylorhome (Los Angeles)
Cost: $50 for pack of 10 backordered
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: 2-3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: unk
Kids: unk
Fabric: unk
Choose your color: no
Patterns: assorted checks, solids, stripes
Contact: Instagram DM?
Web: Heather Taylor Home
Instagram: @Zalamoon (Los Angeles)
Cost/Kid’s: $40 for 2 pack child size; $50 for 3 pack child size
Cost/Adult’s: $30 for 2 pack; $40 for 3 pack
Shipping: FREE U.S. orders over $50 code: “FREESHIP”, also available on Amazon
Timeframe: 2-3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: NO
Sizes: Kids, Adults Regular, Adults Large
Kids: Yes, ages 2-8
Fabric: triple layer 100% cotton gauze or double layer Turkish waffle fabric, tie backs (not elastic)
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns/Kid’s: floral, stars, red fox, deer silhouette, dinosaurs, zoo animals
Patterns/Adult’s: limited, solids: black, white, tan, pink, teal; prints peacock feather, deer silhouette
Contact: Instagram or website
Web: Zalamoon
Instagram: @SanctuaryClothing (Los Angeles)
Cost/Kid’s: $25 for 5 pack
Cost/Adult’s: $28 for 5 pack
Shipping: unk
Timeframe: up to 14 days
Buy 1 Donate 1: Yes
Filter Pocket: Yes, says it comes with a 100% polypropylene meltblown filter
Sizes: Kids, Adults Regular, Adults Large
Kids: Yes, ages 2-10
Fabric: double layer 100% cotton muslin with nose wire
Choose your color: No, comes in assorted 5 pack of 2 dinosaur camo, 1 camo, 1 pink camo, 1 pink leopard
Patterns: limited
Contact: Instagram or website
Web: Sanctuary Clothing
Instagram: @helgasigurbjornsdottir (Los Angeles)
Cost: $35 ea for fitted structured mask with 3 layers fabric and filter pocket
Cost: $25 ea for sturdy everyday mask with 3 layers fabric and filter pocket
Cost: $15 ea for traditional basic mask with 2 layers fabric, no filter pocket
Add exhalation filter valve: $5 add on
(this allows air to flow out of the mask, while preventing air to flow in)
Shipping: UPS
Timeframe: 3 days after order
Buy 1 Donate 1: unk
Filter Pocket: 2 options have filter pockets
Sizes: Kids, Adults
Kids: Yes
Fabric: 2-3 layers 100% cotton
Choose your color: Yes
Patterns: designer, houndstooth, plaid, floral mesh, stripes, black neoprene
Contact: Instagram DM
Web: tryggvsoncorp.com
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