Those who make your own mask liners

I got my new mirage Quattro in small today, and still have some leaking near my eyes unless I ratchet the straps down uncomfortably. I really wanted this mask to work so I could alternate and/or have a ff backup. So I'm thinking that a liner might help. At least it's worth a try. Anyway, what kind of fabric are you using? And what thickness/weight? I am an accomplished crafter and seamstress, so I'm sure I can figure out a design for it, but was curious as to what fabric works best. Thanks!

Soft cotton knit, like old, well-washed t-shirt or panties. Pima cotton is heavenly.
Karen at Pad-a-Cheek uses a lightweight synthetic fleece, which I have not seen in stores.

Several people have used a cotton T Shirt.

An old cotton t-shirt works great for testing and while you are waiting for the Pad-a-cheek liners to be delivered. I changed masks, which I found was easier than keeping on using the liners - now using a P10 (only one night, which went well) which doesn't need liners.

I used a pair of well wash "big girl" panties to make the liner for my masks. Right now I only use a tissue paper because only the skin under my chin objects to my Hybrid.

Don't "ratchet it down". The quatro is like a hover craft, it needs is skirts inflated.

BlackSpinner wrote:I used a pair of well wash "big girl" panties to make the liner for my masks. Right now I only use a tissue paper because only the skin under my chin objects to my Hybrid.

Don't "ratchet it down". The quatro is like a hover craft, it needs is skirts inflated.

Yeah, I knew that. Which is why I was so frustrated that it only stops leaking when I do that, and wanted to get a liner to help with leaks (so I could loosen it a bit). I put it on, very loosely. Air blowing everywhere, lol. Turned off the cpap, did a teeny adjustment to the straps. Turned it back on. Air blowing everywhere still. Turned it off, lather rinse repeat, little by little, until it finally stopped blowing air in my eyes. That's the one place it leaks, always. My nasal bridge is narrow, and ALL the ffm my RT tried on me blew air in my eyes. This one just blew the least, it seemed, because of the adjustment at the forehead to change the angle of the mask. It's the only one that got the bridge portion of the mask even close to settling on my nasal bridge.

I use my swift fx most nights, but that requires a chin strap. When I try to skip the chin strap, I wake up over and over with the polar vortex coming out of my mouth, only less pleasant, lol. But when I *use* the chin strap, it makes my teeth hurt. I think that I clench my jaw. My jaw doesn't hurt when I use a ffm and no chin strap. So I was hoping that I could at the very least alternate between the two, or occasionally give my teeth a break. I have a dentist appt to see about getting an oral appliance to keep me from grinding my teeth, but it's getting more and more ridiculous. I can either wear a leaky ffm, or wear nasal pillows AND a chin strap AND an oral appliance, and then what will be next??

So I guess I just really want to try a liner and see if that helps with the air blowing in my eyes enough that I can alternate now and then, or have a back up in case of cold or stuffy nose.

There is a pattern online; I can't think of the web address right now, but I know you can find it by googling "DIY mask liner" or "DIY cpap mask liner" - without using DIY you may not find it as you will also get hits for the commercially made liners. I went to the Goodwill store and found a nice soft t-shirt in the largest men's size they had there for about 3 bucks - it will make a good many liners before I have to buy another.

library lady wrote:There is a pattern online; I can't think of the web address right now, but I know you can find it by googling "DIY mask liner" or "DIY cpap mask liner" - without using DIY you may not find it as you will also get hits for the commercially made liners. I went to the Goodwill store and found a nice soft t-shirt in the largest men's size they had there for about 3 bucks - it will make a good many liners before I have to buy another.

Thanks!

I found it! It's a pdf." DreamDiver's & KatieW's DIY Full Face Cotton Mask Liner. " Gonna give it a try tomorrow. Too late to mess with it tonight, lol. I have tons of old t-shirts and also have some super soft bamboo-cotton blend interlock that might feel nice against my face.

So do you throw your liners in the washer with laundry, or do you tend to hand wash them? I mean, I know that if they were t-shirts, they'd be getting thrown into the washer, but I've read a few places that people hand wash their liners.

You could put them in one of those little mesh bags, if you wanted to toss them in with the undies.
My front loader is a lot gentler to fabric than the old agitator was. It won't even ravel cut-offs!

I have made several mask liners for my Quattro FX and Hybrid out of micro fleece that I bought at either Hancock Fabric or Joann Fabric. It seems that it would be too thick to seal, but it works beautifully. Also, it's not too hot. I keep 2 on hand and alternate them. I don't know if it's necessary or not, but I also put a thin (1/4") iron-on stabilizer around the inside and outside edges to keep the edges from scalloping.

I had leaking problems around the nose with all my masks. I tighten the lower straps snug and the upper straps looser. This allows the nose part of the cushion to inflate more. The liners are a real help.

Good luck!

JustTia wrote:I found it! It's a pdf." DreamDiver's & KatieW's DIY Full Face Cotton Mask Liner. " Gonna give it a try tomorrow. Too late to mess with it tonight, lol. I have tons of old t-shirts and also have some super soft bamboo-cotton blend interlock that might feel nice against my face.

Thanks for telling us about the pdf. Although my leaks are 2.40-3.60 median and 95%, the mask has to be tightened quite hard. Going to try a mask liner for more comfort.

I've been using old t-shirts or the white cotton underwear that I've had forever and never wore. They both work well. Wash and air dry. Ironing them helps. They seem to get stretchy after one or two uses so I have made several. I've taken to calling them diapers, which was funny as all get out when my husband asked for the first time "do you need a new diaper?"

Thanks for all the tips, you guys! I've got lots of different fabrics here to try. Microfleece, fleece, various weights of cotton or cotton/bamboo knit, some silky cotton/lycra jersey. Oodles of stuff. I'll try a little of each one and report back how they each worked for me!

I sent you a PM