Frequently Asked Questions


What size mask should I order?

ADULT sizes are determined by WEIGHT, but we offer a sizing chart below with measurements:

  • Small: 45-75 Lbs, 20-34 Kg
  • Medium: 75-130 Lbs, 34-59 Kg
  • Large: 130-190 Lbs, 59-86 Kg
  • X-Large: 190+ Lbs, 86+ Kg

KIDS sizes are determined by AGE, but we offer a sizing chart below with measurements:

  • Small: Age 3-6
  • Medium: Age 6-9

How do I clean my mask? What detergent should I use?

Please be sure to hand-wash your mask before wearing for the first time. We recommend using a natural or organic liquid detergent in warm water.

  1. Remove filters before washing.
  2. Add a small amount of natural liquid detergent to warm water.
  3. Submerge and massage mask thoroughly for 30 sec. Soak for 10-15 min.
  4. Rinse well under faucet or in clean water. 
  5. Ring out excess water. Be careful not to over bend the noseband.
  6. Hang dry. Direct sunlight preferable to sanitize. Add filters once dry.

Do not machine wash or machine dry as this may distort the shape or clog the mask fibers with dirt, impurities and minerals in the water, causing it to be less effective over time. Always remove the filters before washing. NEVER submerge the filters in water or attempt to clean! Once mask is completely dry, insert the filters one on each side and you’re ready to go! We always suggest purchasing at least two masks in order to have a fresh mask readily available, especially if you are an essential worker.

How often should I wash my mask?

We recommend washing your mask and replacing your filters at or before a maximum 8 hours of use, or if fabric becomes moist from eating, drinking, talking, sweating, immediately after air travel, attending a high-risk event, or any time you feel exposure.

Why can't I throw my mask in a front loading machine on gentle cycle?

Advanced protection masks cannot be washed due to the loss of electrostatic attraction/protection, as well as loss of shape/form that alters fit upon washing, and therefore the loss of particle filtration efficiency. This is why most advanced protection masks are throwaways, which is very hard on our environment and our pocketbooks for the life of a pandemic. Hence why we created the world's first maximum protection cloth reusable mask! We always suggest having a 'wash party' where you blast your music, enjoy your favorite beverage and wash all but one at once, then sun dry. This way you have enough clean masks for the month! We suggest purchasing at least four masks in order to have a fresh supply on the ready, especially if you are an essential worker. :) Be sure to always remove filters upon washing! They must be discarded if they get wet!

How long do masks last?

Each mask lasts approximately 25 hand-washing cycles. 

Why doesn’t this mask have an exhale valve?

Due to the superior and efficient nanofilter technology and outstanding breathability, our masks do not require an exhale valve. Please consider exercising in masks at your own risk. We do have professional athletes who use our mask but do not assume any liability for any injuries that can occur. Note that some cities have banned valve masks due to exhaled air passing unfiltered, taking potential coronavirus droplets with it.

Do you recommend masks with embedded filters? 

No! We have observed a number of existing face masks on the market with embedded filters under a microscope and found tiny mold spores that formed after only one wash! In addition, the chances of fiber shedding are much higher in masks with embedded filters. Depending on how you move and manipulate the mask, and especially if you wash the mask in a machine, you can almost but guarantee you'll be inhaling these fibers deep into your lungs and once they are there, they don't come out! Then you have to look at what the filter is composed of. Carbon? Plastic? Graphene? Antibacterial chemical additives? Dangerous heavy metal nano woven particles? Non-organic textile fibers containing pesticides or other chemical residuals? You DO NOT want these fibers lodged deep into your lungs that the body can never get rid of. Be especially wary of this with children. Our replaceable non-woven filters are composed of a safe and non-toxic polymer with substrate layers of polypropylene to ensure the nano fibers are completely sealed and encased to prevent fiber shedding. We have you dispose of your filters at every mask washing to ensure you are not breathing in any potential fibers if they could escape, which is highly unlikely with the processing we do. Please do your research and be very careful purchasing embedded, non-replaceable filters! If you're going to use one of these masks, ask for a US-based lab tested fiber shedding report and look over the results carefully. 

Why don't you carry disposable masks? What are the downsides?

We of course are focused on sustainability and protecting our environment first and foremost. Our oceans were contaminated with an estimated 1.56 billion face masks in 2020 based on a report released by marine conservation organization OceansAsia. This resulted in an additional 4,680 to 6,240 metric tons of marine plastic pollution as evidenced in an additional report entitled “Masks on the Beach: The Impact of COVID-19 on Marine Plastic Pollution.” These masks will take as long as 450 years to break down, slowly turning into micro plastics that fish and ultimately humans will consume, while negatively impacting marine wildlife and ecosystems. We have also found that purchasing replaceable masks are much more cost effective for companies. We are happy to provide stats to you and your company if desired. Finally, disposable masks often consist of harmful chemicals you are then breathing deep into your lungs, and are only designed to be worn for very short periods of time - 3 to 8 hrs of use. Overusing these masks can lead to bacterial infections and pulmonary conditions such as pleurisy. Electrostatic attraction (ie: protection) is also reduced dramatically after a mere 2hrs of use, and must be disposed of if the mask gets damp or after up to 8hrs of use, as they are rendered useless in terms of protection after that time. Look up the particle efficiency of surgical masks and the breathability of N95s! The results might surprise you! Finally, you are not protected as much as you think you are. Gaps as caused by an improper fit in one-size-fits-all disposable masks can result in over a 60% decrease in filtration efficiency, according to leading epidemiologists and bioscientists in a peer-reviewed report published April 24, 2020 at Choose wisely! 

Do you offer custom masks for companies or bulk orders?

Yes! We offer custom embroidery and fabric options for bulk orders. Currently we can accommodate orders up to 500k/month. Orders exceeding 500k can be ramped up with a 90 day lead time. We do offer special discounted pricing for government, essential worker, and educator contracts, above and beyond our wholesale pricing. We also offer special discounts for referrals. Click here for our Bulk Order Page.

Where can I find Shipping Information?

Do you offer Returns, Exchanges, or Refunds?


What happens if my filters accidentally get wet?

You must dispose of any filters that get wet. Otherwise you risk a bacterial infection and loss of filtration efficiency. No exceptions! And this goes for any true protection mask filter!

Do the filters need to be inserted into the mask to achieve the 99% efficiency rating?

Yes! The filters are what makes our mask a true protection mask and give it its high rating.

How do I insert the filters properly?

Can I use Unicorn Filters in other mask brands?


Is your filter safe, and will it fiber shed? How is it different from 'nano fabric' masks?

We utilize a very different technology from 'nano fabric' masks you may have come across in your research. In fact we strongly advise against the use of woven 'nano particles' in textiles, especially when combined with 'anti-bacterial' silver or zinc particles for health reasons. These materials have not been tested for use in face coverings and according to several scientific peer-reviewed articles, can actually be harmful to your lung health when worn for extended periods of time due to fiber shedding. Once these fibers are inhaled the lungs will not expel them out due to their small 'nano' size. These nano fabric textiles often come from China and South Korea. 

Unicorn masks on the other hand utilize non-woven sonic electrospun nanotechnology (as opposed to a nano embedded woven textile). Being a continuous fiber and not anything related to nanoparticles, there is zero risk of inhalation of anything harmful. The nano fibers are encapsulated by two substrate layers of polypropylene further protecting against any possible fiber shedding. Our filters are manufactured by a leading global nanotechnology company out of New Zealand that is committed to health and safety. Our technology tests down to a much smaller particle size with greater efficiency ratings than nano textiles, and features dramatically higher breathability, greater thermal comfort (far less moisture buildup) and is much more lightweight (less than 1mm thick) than nano textiles. We encourage you to do your own research with all filtered mask companies and note the differences in verified USA lab tested results. The proof is in the pudding as they say!

Does having 2 separate filters (one on each side) instead of one big filter reduce the protection efficiency?

Unicorn Masks have two separate filters, one on each side of the mask, for ease of getting in/out, that covers the entire surface area (minus the thin reinforced stitching centerfold of the mask which nothing can penetrate through) and has the same level of protection and efficiency as if you were to utilize one giant filter. The reason we did this from a design standpoint was due to the plethora of complaints we would hear from consumers of mask companies who had one filter that was incredibly challenging to get in/out. When you're washing your mask on a weekly basis, ease of removing the filters is imperative. We wanted to ensure our particle efficiency wouldn't suffer and were happy to see that it did not. The only part of the mask that is not covered by the filter is the thin reinforced center stitch, which has a thick reinforced stitch that nothing can penetrate through. You can view our particle efficiency lab results here:

How long do filters last?

We recommend washing your mask and replacing your filters at or before a maximum 8 hours of use. Filters cannot exceed 8hrs of use. We always recommend replacing filters immediately after air travel, attending high-risk events, or any time you feel exposure.

We meet with our advisory board that consists of a team of decorated bioscientists, emergency responders, and research analysts, one of which is on the covid-19 task force, every few months. The latest recommendation was to change our filter shelf life due to the variants emerging and the CDC removing important mask mandates. We collectively feel it is imperative to be more diligent than ever on mask wearing and filter changing as a result. We are now advising that you discard your filters with every mask washing, which we recommend doing at least every 8 hours of use. We have also lowered the price of the filters to accommodate for this change and make it more affordable for folks. :)