11 Safe Ways to Get Free Face Masks (by Mail or Near You)

If you’re struggling to afford a mask or you just want to be more cost-effective, you’ll be glad to know that you can actually get it free.

Thankfully, getting free stuff online and near you, including free masks, isn’t that hard.

A quick note before we get onto the list – many of these free mask offers and programs have a limited number of masks available or are only running for a specific timeframe. So while these masks were available for free at the time of writing, they might not be when you come to get your mask. Don’t worry though, there are lots of options and tips for finding even more.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s get started on the list of safe ways to get a free face mask!

How to Get Free Face Masks Online (by Mail)

Here are the best places you can request a mask for free online that will be shipped to your house for free.

1. DHVANI

Clothing company DHVANI is giving away free masks. You just need to request one of the website.

All masks are paid for by donation.

You can get a washable, eco-friendly, 100% cotton mask from the brand. The mask even has adjustable loops to accommodate faces of all sizes.

To request your free mask, visit the “A Mask For Every American” page and enter your email address along with your shipping address and hit “Submit Request”.

According to the company, “All free masks are shipped on a first come, first served basis.” So depending on whether or not there is a waitlist, it may take from few days to week to receive your free mask by mail.

• Request your free face mask here. (Scroll down all the way to the bottom of the page until you see the “Request Your Free Mask”. )

2. FlexiSpot

FlexiSpot is a company that makes standing desks for home offices.

It’s now offering free masks that you can request online. You can get ten free face masks shipped to your home.

• Request your face mask here.

Free Face Masks Near Me

Here are places where you can get free face masks near you.

3. Sam’s Club

You can get a mask for free when you shop at Sam’s Club. If you don’t have a mask, you could get one from the store.

4. Whole Foods

You could get a free medical mask for free if you shop at Whole Foods.

Since it’s employees and shoppers are required to wear a face covering, the store is handing out free medical face masks to customers who don’t have one.

5. Apple stores

While some stores may be closed due to COVID-19, the Apple stores that are open to customers are offering masks. Since customers and employees have to wear a mask in Apple stores, the brand is giving out free masks to people who don’t have one when they arrive.

6. Best Buy

Did you know that Best Buy will give you a mask for free when you show up at the store without one? Visit your local store and if you don’t have a mask, the store will supply you with one.

7. Sew Loka

Sew Loka is a modern sewing studio in San Diego.

It offers free masks.

While all face masks are free, the studio does accept donations like sewing supplies or Venmo. And while donations are appreciated, they are not expected.

Since all of the fabrics are donated, masks can’t be customized in any way – but hey, it’s free.

Plus, the studio does say that it does its best to provide everyone with a nice variety of colors and patterns.

There’s a limit of 5 masks per person.

One person is able to book one free face mask appointment per month.

• Schedule an appointment to get your free mask here.

8. Check with your state to find free masks in the USA

Lots of states are handing out free masks to people. Please note that some of these programs only run for a short period of time.

For example, Utah had a program called a “Mask for every Utahn.” It offered free masks to residents, but it is now closed.

There are still many states running these programs though.

Here are some examples:

Texas

In Texas, it was announced by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2020, that Texans who gets a COVID-19 test at state-run mobile test collection sites would get free face masks.

You can get four, 3-ply surgical masks to take home with you.

• Find a testing site near you here.

Arizona

The state gives masks to anyone who’s:

• Vulnerable
• A Student
• A school stuff member
• May not be able to purchase a mask.

Each order offers 5 washable, reusable cloth face masks. There’s a limit of one order per household.

• You can request a mask through the MaskUp order form here.

Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority is giving away kits that include a reusable cloth mask and hand sanitizer as well as a guide with healthy riding tips. The kits are only available from 8 to 10 am on certain days at a few “L” stations.

• Learn more here.

North Carolina

There are quite a few fire stations and police stations offering masks throughout Raleigh, North Carolina. And there are two million masks being distributed through Charlotte, NC.

• Find places where you can get free masks in near Raleigh, NC here.
• View a list of places where you can get masks in Charlotte, NC here.

Florida

People in Pinellas County and Orange County Florida can get free face masks on a first come first serve basis.

Pinellas County is offering free cloth masks to residents.

Orange County Florida has a PPE for Community Initiative that provides residents and small business with face masks and hand sanitizer.

• Learn about getting a face mask from Pinellas County, FL here.
• Learn about getting free face masks and hand sanitizer from Orange County, FL here.

Washington State

Washington State is delivering free masks to low income families. The state has 3.6 million cloth face masks to distribute to every resident who’s below 200% of the federal poverty level, which equates to about $52,400 for a family of four

• Learn more here and find your local health department here.

California

Residents of Chula Vista, California, can get a free reusable cotton mask.

• Find out where you can pick up your free mask here.

Check with your state’s official website (or health department site) to see if there are any programs near you giving away free masks.

9. Look out for free mask events near you

Some companies and organizations are holding events where they give away face masks.

For example, on September, 29, 2020, in Bryan, Texas a business called Versacarry held a free mask drive-thru event.

These events have been held by various companies and organizations across the country.

Another example is in Delano, California, where the Delano Police Department held a free face mask and hand sanitizer drive-thru distribution event.

I would highly recommend keeping an eye on the news in your area to see if there are any upcoming free face mask events near you.

10. Make your own face mask

Did you know that you could make your own face mask? Well, you can and it’s not as difficult as you would think!

The best part is that once you’ve made your mask, you can wash it and reuse it.

JOANN Fabrics actually has some great tutorials on how to make a mask, which you can check out here. Just scroll down for the DIY face mask videos.

There are tons of great tutorials on YouTube too.

The CDC actually has tutorials on how to make masks, which you can check out here. It even offers a tutorial for a non-sewn face mask. So if you’re anything like me and can’t sew then this is the tutorial for you!

11. Bonus tip: A Few Places to Find Cheap Masks

Sure, getting a mask for free is great. However, you might also consider buying a reusable mask for cheap.

I bought disposable medical masks on Amazon. I got a pack of 50 for a really reasonable price. I didn’t like having to throw them out though and eventually got a cheap mask for less than $3 at my local pharmacy. It’s reusable, so I just wash it after I’ve been out.

What I’m saying is that you can easily find masks for cheap!

Here are a few places I’d recommend for affordable face masks:

SimplySeattle.com

There are tons of masks available on SimplySeattle.com. The mask is actually free. You just pay $4.99 for shipping and handling.

• View masks on the site here.

Amazon

There are masks on Amazon for really affordable prices. At the time of writing, you could get a 10 pack of reusable makes for $14.99, which is only works out at about $1.40 a mask. Considering you can wash these masks and use them again makes this a great deal.

• View reusable masks on Amazon here.

Etsy

You can find some great deals on masks on Etsy. There are lots of masks for less than $5 on there.

• View masks on Esty here.

Stay Safe!

If you’ve been looking for a mask that you don’t have to pay for, make sure you give the places on our list a try.

Sometimes, money gets tight and you may not be able to afford to purchase one.

Next time you’re wondering where to get a free mask, give the places and tips above a try.