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30 Comments
Cindy F.
July 2, 2018
I use an old pillowcase, which is cotton. Have washed it over and over again. I cut it down to a workable size. Works great.
Tracy R.
July 21, 2017
Um... good quality cheesecloth can be used over and over, not like that flimsy crap, and you only need one layer not sixteen. Please do more research.
nancy E.
July 21, 2017
Thanks for this. I can't believe the price here in Canada for a square of cheesecloth
Angana
March 2, 2017
We have always used Muslin for cheese making. It's cheap, durable and easily available. Atleast in India.
Sharon
February 6, 2017
Cheese cloth can absolutely be used more than once. I've been doing it for YEARS with my bi-monthly ricotta making. Just like muslin, it can be washed, rinsed, dried and reused as many times as you like, or until it falls apart. I dry mine on the oven racks overnight. Since I have gas ovens, the pilot light provides the perfect amount of heat to dry things thoroughly and safely. In a few hours it's dry and ready to be put away until the next use. BTW, coffee filters can also be rinsed, dried and reused in the same manner. Saves money AND saves the planet. We throw away far too much, needlessly.
kareema
February 8, 2017
I came here to say the same thing. Muslin is great, no doubt about it, but cheesecloth definitely has its place.
deanna1001
February 5, 2017
I use men's cotton handkerchiefs. They are cheap, washable and work like a dream. Also a good size. Haven't bought cheesecloth in forever!
Jane Y.
February 5, 2017
Wow I can't believe you all didn't know about muslin!! It's always been used in UK I live in Cyprus and use it all the time to make labne I microwave it before I use it to sterilise it.
Cat A.
March 8, 2017
Ooooh! I never thought about microwaving. Silly question, but microwave wet or dry? I'm assuming wet, then you hang it to cool a bit?
isabelita
February 5, 2017
Paper coffee filters. Chemex for big jobs like straining spinach for pie.
Daria
February 4, 2017
Single use cheesecloth? That's a first for me, wow... Didn't even know it existed! In my country, cheesecloth comes off a bolt in a fabric store, 100% cotton and perfectly washable until one gets fed up with it.
Tracy R.
July 21, 2017
We can get that here, it's just not what's sold in supermarkets because they want repeat business.
randii
February 1, 2017
You can actually wash cheesecloth and use it several times. It's not that difficult.
nomnomMKE
February 1, 2017
I'm digging this muslin idea. If you're looking for cheaper cheesecloth, though, try the paint or grouting section of the hardware store. You can buy a much bigger bag of it for cheaper, and it's not precut, so you can make longer pieces.
Amy P.
February 1, 2017
I bought a nylon nut milk bag because I was getting so sick of tossing cheesecloth after straining yogurt 2x/wk. It cleans pretty well and dries quickly but because it's a bag it's annoying to get the strained yogurt back out of it and to clean the seam. I think a loose-weave muslin is in my future, although I wish I knew where to buy a flat square of this nylon stuff. It's excellent.
Smaug
January 31, 2017
Cheesecloth is certainly expensive if you buy it precut and packaged at the supermarket, but so, for example is parchment- it's cheaper to use aluminum foil. I don't use it much myself- more to strain lacquer than anything else- but I suspect it's pretty cheap in bulk. Like if you run a cheese company.
HalfPint
January 31, 2017
My mother had a couple of muslin squares that she used for years and years. Way more economical than buying cheesecloth that only one-use.
AntoniaJames
January 31, 2017
I use this butter muslin - https://www.amazon.com/Butter-Muslin-2-sq-yards/dp/B004QISGIA -- the weave is looser than muslin from the fabric store, which to my mind is not suitable for tying up herbs. This is perfect for soaking in booze when wrapping holiday cakes, e.g., Kentucky Whiskey cake -- so much so that my father, who has been making whiskey cakes and fruitcakes since my mother died a few years ago, actually commented on how nice this butter muslin is. It may be a bit more expensive than muslin by the yard at the fabric store, but as someone who uses a lot of cheesecloth in a lot of different ways, I do think it really is the best. It cuts easily, provided your scissors are reasonably sharp, and can be washed either by hand or in the washer. Highly recommended! ;o)
East Bay folks, you can find it, at a lower price than on Amazon, at Oak Barrel Winecraft on San Pablo in Berkeley, a block south of REI.
East Bay folks, you can find it, at a lower price than on Amazon, at Oak Barrel Winecraft on San Pablo in Berkeley, a block south of REI.
EmilyC
January 31, 2017
Wow, love this tip because cheesecloth most definitely has legs!
In the same vein (but not nearly so clever) -- I depend heavily on paper clips in the kitchen to close bags that aren't resealable. So much cheaper/more practical than those bulky chip clips.
In the same vein (but not nearly so clever) -- I depend heavily on paper clips in the kitchen to close bags that aren't resealable. So much cheaper/more practical than those bulky chip clips.
stingraystirs
January 31, 2017
Thanks! Welcome tip after my recent cheesecloth and scissors incident ( I definitely can relate)..
SMSF
January 31, 2017
EmilyC - I use wooden spring-type clothespins for closing bags (cereal, chips, etc.) and for corralling papers around the house. Inexpensive and kind of cute, too!
amysarah
January 31, 2017
I have roughly 97 of these at work in my kitchen at all times - cheap, strong and they don't rust: http://www.dickblick.com/products/acco-binder-clips/
I like the muslin idea - my cheesecloth consumption is over the top.
I like the muslin idea - my cheesecloth consumption is over the top.
chaim
October 3, 2017
If you buy grade 90 cheesecloth it can be reused again and again. Cheesecloth.com is a great resource.
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