Can using 2 to 3 layers of used dyer sheets work inside the masks?

Coffee filters might be a better choice than dryer sheets Cheryl. You won't be breathing in the smell from the dryer sheets. And you will have to make sure you make a mask that has a pocket to place any protective barriers so that you can remove what you use and wash your face mask EVERY time you use it when you are out in public.

I'd be leery of using used dryer sheets, as there could be residual chemicals in them that you don't want in your lungs. Stick with the heavier interfacing, or, as some have suggested, use some coffee filters, for lining.

Here's some instructions from a Hometalker and she's included a link to what her local hospital recommends

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/how-to-sew-a-face-mask-part-two-44277695

I agree, there are chemicals in the dryer sheets that I would be reluctant to breathe in. maybe if they had been through the dryer a number of times and had most of the "life" taken out of them.

Maybe something like Viva paper towels that are more of a fiber than a paper.

I am sure they would help, but paper towels will, also. Those dryer sheets often have chemicals in them, and I think you would not want the chemicals so close to your face and breathing those in.

Hi Cheryl, here is a CDC video to make an effective mask, please DO NOT use dryer sheets, that is not healthy.

https://mashable.com/video/cdc-face-mask-how-to/

Don't use dryer sheets. Some of the chemicals and softener still remain. You wouldn't want to breathe any residue. Paper towels barely allow any air to penetrate. What I did was take a pleated furnace filter and disassembled it. the filter material is Merv 7. I doubled it to make Merv 14. Don't use the cheap blue spun filters. They don't do a thing.

I wouldn't because there is residue left on them and that is not good for your lungs! I would use cotton cloths or an old handkerchief instead

Please do not use dryer sheets. You do not want to breathe any chemicals into your lungs. Get some fabric. microfiber cloths would work well because it will filter out some particles and you can wash them often.

Hi Cheryl , interfacing is just to make the material more rigid or stiff, you can use a stiffer material on the exterior part of the mask to make it more rigid.

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2020/04/04/coronavirus-face-mask-tips-how-make-fabric-instructions/2945209001/

Hi Cheryl, I don't think dryer sheets are a good idea. They have all kinds of chemicals built in and that can't be good for your lungs. I've been researching face masks for a few weeks to try and make for our poorer communities. This was the best one I could find so far - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/12/6/05-1468-f1 . It's not the prettiest but it has been tested and it's made from layers of T-shirts.

There are a lot of chemicals in dryer sheets that I would not want to breath in - even if they are used.

I would check into what breathing in the dryer sheet might do to you. Just a thought.

I don’t see why they wouldn’t work but know that homemade masks will still let 60-97% of germs through regardless of what they’re made of.

I hope this doesn't make you laugh too hard but a mini-pad can be used. I had to do that in a pinch for my husband's respirator he uses for painting when they were on back order. Worked great. Just remove the plastic backing.

Or you could try coffee filters!

I am making masks at home. I'm using paper towels as the filter. I read that we should use tight woven paper products. I am not risking going out in public myself because I already have lung disease and I'm on oxygen. But my husband and my son have to go out. When they come back home, they throw the paper towel away and the masks go in the laundry.

I now have used vacuum filters and reusable grocery bags.

I wouldn't as there are tons of chemicals in dyer sheets