cheesecloth

[Bethanial]

(my first new thread!)

Okay, so I've been using some cheesecloth my mom had to strain stuff as I've been canning/preserving. This stuff was brand new in the package. I just pieces to fit the colander as I needed it, rinsed 'em out in dishwater to get food particles out, and then threw them in with a load of kitchen towels. Is there anyway to prevent the massive snagging/snarling/untangling (not kidding I spent at least 5 minutes to untangle 8 pieces of this stuff from itself)? I asked my mom, but she said she had no idea - she just kept the package around 'cuz my Grandma always had some and figured it was a good idea Translation - the package of cheesecloth I used was probably as old as I am

I do remember reading somewhere (coulda been here, Mother Earth News, I just really don't remember) that in order to re-use cheesecloth for making cheese, it has to be boiled and/or bleached. I'm assuming for my straining purposes, washing is good enough.

Help! Thoughts? Comments? All welcomed to this newbie canner and wanna-be homesteader

 

[Blackbird]

Golly, I don't know what to tell you. In the past I've always just thrown it away. Wasteful me! It's just so thin and pull-apart-y-ish.

Now I no longer use cheesecloth, I use old white (clean!) t-shirts or those thin towels.. The old flour bag kind. That way I can reuse for all sorts of items. So you might want to look into that next time you're in need! I'll never go back to cheesecloth.

 

[urban dreamer]

I hand wash mine in the sink with regular old dish washing liquid. Then I drape then over the shower curtain to dry (don't take long).

Also, when I need to wash a bunch of little things and don't want them to get everywhere or tangled up (like scarfs), I put them in a cotton bag with a draw string and stick them in the washing machine like that. If it's really soiled, I will hand wash a little in the sink and then put it through the wash. Hope this helps or gives you some ideas.

 

[tamlynn]

I don't know about sterilizing, but its probably a good idea. Boiling would be better than chlorine bleach. Bleach will wear the fabric out. As for the edges of the cloth unraveling, you'll have to hem the edges to stop this. If you don't have a sewing machine or know anyone who does who can quickly hem the edges or serge them for you, I suggest finding a local sewing shop or craft shop and asking them for help.

These are some stitches that an overlock (serger) can do to keep the edges from fraying.

 

[tamlynn]

There are different types of fabric that are called "cheesecloth" The piece I got from the cheesmaker's has a much tighter weave than the stuff that almost looks like a window screen. I like the sturdier stuff.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

For my straining I use these towels from wally world call Bar Moppers. They're white, large (like 3'x3'), sturdy, tight weave and not stretchy. And pretty cheap too, 3 pack for a couple of bucks.

I use them for filtering milk, straining yogurt, straining tea (DH hates the little particles of cinnamon or nutmeg my tea strainer lets through).

 

[Emerald]

I use either flour sack cloth (Walmart and Sam's both carry it cheaply and the big flea market at Shipsawanna has it all over) or I buy really cheap, fine, unbleached muslin and just fold it over and stitch a hem and I never wash it with soaps if I can help it- but I do occasionally wash them all at once in the washer but then I boil them in clean water to remove any and all soap/ fabric softener as it will taint your foods. Nothing like working on a nice cheese for hours and have it taste like soap or fancy softener! (guess how I found out )

 

[Bethanial]

cool - so I can pretty much use my old fashioned style tea towels to do the job, is what you're telling me. Would this also work for actual cheese-making? (I want goats, and the milk that follows, and so I'm figuring on making cheese, too )

Based on what you're saying tamlynn, the cheesecloth I've got is the window-screen looking variety. I don't have a serger, but I do know how to sew, and I could hem them to get more use out of them. Thanks for that tip - guess I wasn't thinking along those lines for something that would eventually get worn out anyway, but I'll gladly extend it's life as long as possible!

Note on those tea towels - I love to use mine (don't know where I got the idea to try this; think I was out of wax paper) to roll out dough. Lay the tea towel down, sprinkle with flour or corn meal like you would your counter or wax paper, and proceed to knead/roll out your dough. I like the handiness of not having to wipe the flour off the counter when I'm done, and like the wax paper, this keeps it contained, without the waste.

 

[Blackbird]

Cheese is mostly what I use mine for!

 

[Bethanial]

I use either flour sack cloth (Walmart and Sam's both carry it cheaply and the big flea market at Shipsawanna has it all over) or I buy really cheap, fine, unbleached muslin and just fold it over and stitch a hem and I never wash it with soaps if I can help it- but I do occasionally wash them all at once in the washer but then I boil them in clean water to remove any and all soap/ fabric softener as it will taint your foods. Nothing like working on a nice cheese for hours and have it taste like soap or fancy softener! (guess how I found out )

Sam's carry's fabric?!? I've never seen that! And you and I are fortunate in that our Wal-Mart's both still sell fabric; not all do anymore. (I've been told that Hobby Lobby bought into Wal-Mart, so it has something to do with how close the nearest HL is to the WM as to whether or not they carry fabric....) I suspect our's has something to do with the LARGE Mennonite population, too.

Thanks for the tips!