I Can Breathe! Inc. designs comfortable, high quality face masks which reduce exposure to airborne particles and irritants. They were created by someone who needed them, they are sewn in Chicago, IL (USA) and they are a small family business.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Check the masks contents with your medical doctor, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies.
• The masks should not be worn near fire.
• Latex-free elastic is on all masks, except the organic cotton ones.
• The activated carbon filter does not replace industrial strength respirators and is not meant for occupational exposure.
• These masks are not NIOSH certified at this time.

Special notes:

• Organic cotton ear loops and metal rings can be supplied with any of these masks, so that you can replace the latex-free elastic ear-loops (on all masks except the organic cotton ones.) Please request this when you are ordering.
• If synthetic is a problem, please contact me about a great alternative.
• Wash all masks before using them with a washing product that is unscented and does not leave a residue. Sodium bicarbonate is useful for this.

ICB! Honeycomb Mask with Classic Filter 

• Reduce exposure to: smog, smoke, ozone, diesel exhaust, fragrances, particulate matter
• Effective for poor air quality indoors, outdoors or on airplanes
• A porous, lightweight, washable shell holds and seals a disposable carbon filter
• Mask fits in a pocket
• The adjustable ear loops allow for a personal fit and long wearing comfort, even with eye glasses, goggles or a helmet
• Replace filter when breathing becomes difficult or odour comes through even after adjusting nose wire. How long a filter lasts depends upon your sensitivities and environment
• You can talk and be heard while wearing these masks

What is it made out of?

Mask: Nylon and/or polyester shell, cotton/polyester, hard plastic, latex free elastic (I can supply organic cotton loops and metal rings to replace the elastic ~ let me know when you order).

Carbon filter: Air layered web material consisting of powdered activated carbon bound onto a polyester support material with modified acrylonitrile copolymer latex (this synthetic latex does not contain the protein of natural rubber). NO COCONUT.

If you have a problem with polyester and other synthetic fibres, please email me for a solution. There is a great polyester-free alternative.

ICB Honeycomb Sport Kit

• The Sport Kit includes: one Honeycomb mask, one disposable Sport Filter and two reusable exhalation valves for the filter (Patent Pending)
• Breathe in through the activated carbon filter. Breathe out, with a flap in each exhalation valve allowing the air to expel rapidly
• This mask was evaluated by elite athletes competing in test events in Beijing before the air cleared for the games in August 2008
• Before disposing of filter, remove valves, wash and place them in new filter
• Please see above for the honeycomb masks’ description and what it is made out of
• (I can supply organic cotton loops and metal rings to replace the elastic ~ let me know when you order)

Silk Comfort Mask          

• Is patented (US 5,701,892)
• Filters nuisance level dust, grass, pollen, dander and mould
• Comfortable for cleaning house, moving days, being around pets, walking outside during spring and autumn when pollen and mould spores fill the air, gardening, sewing, weaving, sleeping and exercising
• As with all I Can Breathe! masks, it has adjustable ear loops (latex-free elastic) and a pliable nose bar for individual fit. (I can supply organic cotton loops and metal rings to replace the elastic ~ let me know when you order)
• The sleek construction of the Silk Comfort Mask holds the fabric away from the nose and mouth so one can talk

• Caution: This mask does not provide protection to lungs from smoke, fine particles, gases, hazardous dusts, or chemicals

ICB! Organic Cotton Mask

• Made with three layers of soft, natural colour fabric to reduce exposure to dust, pollen, mould, dander, and lint
• Effectively filters larger particles and provides a good seal
• If breathing becomes difficult, it is time to wash the mask in hot or cool water, with a detergent that leaves no residue, then rinse well and hang to dry
• Roll in a towel to blot excess water, then wear damp for humidification in dry atmosphere, such as on long flights or in a desert
• No dyes or bleach have been used on the fabric
• 100% certified Organic Cotton
• Adjustable cotton twill ear loops hold the mask in place
• Naturally latex-free

How to choose between these masks?

Basically, the choice is going to come down to your answers to a few key questions:

1. What are you wanting to filter out?
2. Are you alright with synthetic fibres?

You may find this table useful. If you would like to read more about this, please follow this link.

(Table from I Can Breathe! Inc. site, based on tests undertaken in 2006/ N95 MSA is a mask that according to the US government blocks 95% of particulates that are greater than 0.3 microns. Please follow the links on their page regarding sizes of particles, eg mould spores are 3-20 microns in size.)

ICB! Silk-Lined Cold Weather Mask - Adult             great new stock arriving soon!

• Patented (US Patent 5,701,892)
• Warms and humidifies cold, dry air
• Useful for breathing difficulties triggered by cold air
• Fleece mask
• Lined with silk
• Latex-free elastic ear-loops. (I can supply organic cotton loops and metal rings to replace the elastic ~ let me know when you order)
• Roll in a towel to blot excess water, then wear damp for humidification in dry atmosphere, such as on long flights or in a desert
• Child-size available in grey (to tone in with school uniforms)

I Can Sleep...^TM Eye Shade              

• Blocks light allowing you to sleep or relax sitting up, on your side, stomach, or back
• Darkness promotes a deeper sleep
• Organic cotton
• Latex-free polyester elastic ear loops. (I can supply organic cotton loops and metal rings to replace the elastic ~ let me know when you order)
• Comes in "midnight blue" - plain dark blue, not patterned as in the picture to the right

About the colours 

We make every effort to present the mask colours accurately, however due to the variations of computer monitors and the complex colouration of the masks it is not possible to show on your monitor the colour as the mask will appear when it arrives. Masks are made of different shades of mesh or lace one on top of the other. Once you receive the mask the colour will differ in natural light versus artificial light. We try and give a good sense of the colour by its name, but as colours and colour names are subjective we can't guarantee that the mask colour you receive will be what you expect. Please choose carefully. For health concerns we do not take returns. We will not exchange masks because of colour choice.

Travel and Care of your mask

Wash before use.

The adjustable ear loops allow the mask to fit almost everyone.

The Honeycomb Mask was designed specifically to seal the filter effectively and not require frequent washing (unless you think you are exposed to virus or bacteria. In that case, soak mask in peroxide and wash with hot water. Discard filter in the cellophane bag. Wash hands frequently.)

The disposable activated carbon filters the air, which is especially useful on airplanes.

Carry your Mask in your pocket or purse for handy use while touring air polluted cities.

For flights, the organic cotton and the cold weather masks can be used to humidify the air. Simply wet them, blot them dry and wear them damp to warm and humidify the air.

Other information

Please note that respiratory masks are personal products, which, due to health standards may not be exchanged or returned for resale.

Masks are guaranteed if found to be defective in materials or construction.

Postage within Australia

I am posting your mask order via Express Post.

Sometimes I may not get to the post office until the next day, so please be a little patient.

Also, if Australia Post is slow, there is little we can do except to wait. I apologise for this, but it is out of my control.

Subscribe to my newsletter

Be sure to take a look at these great fragrance-free 100% organic skin and personal care products.