How to Wash Cheesecloth Before Use

Cheesecloth is a versatile cotton fabric that can be used for clothing, crafting and cooking. The cheesecloth's original purpose was to assist with molding cheese into round shapes, hence its name. Today, cheesecloth is mainly used in the kitchen for straining and holding food items together. Cheesecloth can be used more than once. It is important to wash cheesecloth before each use. Failure to do so could alter the taste of the new dish you are preparing.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid dish soap
• Saucepan

Instructions

1. Hold the cheesecloth under cool-running water, twisting the material in your hands to loosen any food.

2. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the cheesecloth, and work the material in your hands to create a lather. Rinse the cheesecloth under running water to remove the soap.

3. Fill a saucepan 3/4 of the way full with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

4. Place the cheesecloth into the boiling water and boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Pour the contents of the saucepan into a colander to drain. Let the cheesecloth set until the heat has subsided enough so that you can pick the cheesecloth up in your hand.

6. Wring out any excess moisture from the cheesecloth and hang on a laundry line of towel hook to finish drying. Fold neatly to store.

References

• All Things Frugal: The Many Functions of Cheesecloth