Using cloth or gauze to strain cottage cheese or make cheese has been common practice for centuries. This inexpensive and practical solution has become so popular with many housewives that other devices for such tasks are simply not used. It should also be mentioned that gauze is convenient for ironing delicate fabrics, which proved itself well in Soviet times among ordinary people.
There are several options for replacing gauze at home, which we have reviewed in this article and offer you for your consideration.
Kitchen sieve
In many cases, a fine-mesh sieve is a good substitute for cheesecloth. It is easy to use at home when making cheese or cottage cheese. Many people like this substitute for cheesecloth because of the safety of the kitchen accessory. And also because it is easy to find in any kitchen.
It is enough to wash it well after use and dry it so that bacteria and germs do not multiply on the surface, which is possible with gauze that is used several times.
Bandage
If you don’t have a sieve on hand and need to strain something quickly, a medical bandage is an alternative replacement. It fully performs the functions of gauze. Many people don’t like that it’s not as convenient to work with. This can be avoided by buying a wide bandage. It is better if it is sterile and opened immediately before use. This reduces the risk of dust and bacteria getting into the product.
To use a bandage for straining cottage cheese, fold it into several layers; you can also use a sieve. This is especially important if the sieve has large holes and the cottage cheese can simply seep through them.
Fabric
New nylon tights and stockings can be used to strain cottage cheese. A piece of new tulle or curtain fabric can also be used for this purpose. If you decide to use fabric for this purpose, it is best to use pure cotton. Make sure that the fabric does not shed.
A piece of fabric or tulle can be used to cover a container of kvass or other beverage to keep insects out. In this case, the fabric should be transparent.
Cotton wool
It is quite easy to filter liquid through cotton wool. Of course, this substitute is not suitable if you need to make cottage cheese or cheese. To filter the drink, place a layer of cotton wool in a funnel and carefully pour the liquid from one container to another. The drink will be clear, and this procedure will not take much time.