Make Reusable Teabags and Coffee Filters

If you are looking to decrease your dependence on paper products a great way to cut down (and save money) is to make some reusable  teabags and coffee filters. While those two items may not seem like much, the cost accumulates over time. And with how ridiculously easy they are to make it is certainly a worthwhile project.

 

 

Step 1: Materials

First, you need to be willing to sew a little. Don't worry if you are a novice, this is a great little project to try when you are starting out. I will be using a sewing machine in this instructable but this project can easily be done by hand. So if the task of applying needle and thread to cloth isn't too daunting, gather the following materials -

Tea Bag

1 piece of cotton or muslin (loose weave) 4'' x 3'', larger if desired.
12'' of cotton string
2 charms, buttons, or beads (to act as counter weights to the teabag)

Coffee Filter

2 pieces of 8'' x 6'' loose weave cotton or muslin

And of course needle, thread, and/or sewing machine. Whichever you prefer.

 

Comments

[Itti]

Not sure what you mean about saving money/the cost accumulating over time.

If you're putting teabags inside the teabags, you're not saving anything.

If you're putting loose-leaf tea in the teabags, you would normally use them without a teabag, so I'm not sure what you're actually saving.

I guess if this is an alternative to a tea strainer, it would be cheaper, but that doesn't fit the "accumulation" thing, since you only buy a tea strainer once too.

I guess it would save money on coffee filters though! Maybe that's what you meant.

[insomniaSAH]

I use mine in a thermos when I don't have time/am feeling lazy on my way out the door - drop in the bag, the hot water, and get moving. If I were to just drop loose leaf in there, I'd be dealing with debris while trying to drink my tea.

[Itti]

I can see how it's more convenient compared to loose tea, but you haven't really answered my question.

[eoswald1]

I made my own cloth tea bags about an hour ago because my tea ball for loose leaf is to put in a thermos with the lid on. I also wanted a way to store my favorite loose tea in an easily brew-able form in my studio at university, where I spend an obnoxious amount of time.

I keep a regular teapot with a strainer at home for brewing, but it just isn't practical at school. I've heard that paper filters can give your tea a weird taste, and also I like that I can hang these up to dry and fill them with tea pretty much endlessly.

As far as it being more convenient compared to just dropping loose tea in a cup, I like to pull out the leaves after 3-5 minutes or my tea tends to get bitter. This way, there's no debris, and my tea tastes like it should.

[PoCassidy]

I love the reusable teabag idea and have tried it with great success except for when it comes to cleaning the bag. The tea just doesn't seem to want to come loose from the bag and I feel like I spend forever just getting them ready for the next batch. Any suggestions?

[SeaSkyShore]

I just turn the bag inside out to rinse away any used tea and if anything sticks I can get it off with a quick swipe of an old cleaning toothbrush. Nothing too labor intensive.

[little miss stitches]

Good job! I'm thinking you can also use cheese cloth (or is that too loose a weave?) or a sheer fabric (like organza or chiffon) in order to get a richer brew?

[SeaSkyShore]

Cheese cloth is just a little too loose a weave for coffee(and sometimes for cheese curd as I have found out). I haven't tried using anything sheer but I imagine that would work fine, just be careful that the cloth you choose won't melt after prolonged exposure to hot water. Please let me know how it works for you. I like my coffee very dark and I found that after I switched to cloth filters (I use cotton) I don't have to use nearly as much grounds as when I used paper filters to get the desired richness. I don't think I will ever switch back to disposables.

[SiderAnne]

I think I just found what to make my brother-in-law and his wife for Christmas! They love loose leaf tea, and this would be an awesome addition to their gift... they love being self-sufficient and having a tiny footprint.

[Nemesis201077]

I've usd pretty much the same thing for years as a re-usable bouquet garni. I pop a bunch of appropriate herbs into the little muslin bag and add it to stews/soups. It's much easier than trying to fish out individual herbs/leaves.

[SeaSkyShore]

I am glad some of you found it handy! My husband and I live on a very tight budget and anything that saves even a few dollars a month helps. Plus I have heard that paper filters can change the flavor of coffee, even make it more bitter. I certainly think that it's more flavorful, but it might just be the coffee tastes better when it costs less to make :)

 

[Lola1974]

I used the closed end of a knee high  and then followed the rest of your instructions.
 It even fits in my single pod coffee machine.

[capricorn]

Thanks for sharing my friend :)

I'm sure I'll find good use of this idea :)

[ChrysN]

Nice!

[masterochicken]

Good job.