At the risk of sounding a little cheesy, don’t you love it when you re-discover a been-around-forever kind of product that is inexpensive, natural, re-usable, and super versatile? May we re-introduce you to: Dritz Cheesecloth. This time of year, it’s a super fun Halloween decorating material, but it’s also a year-round option for cooking, cleaning, crafting, and more. 

Do you need a giant spider web on the porch to reel in the trick-or-treaters? How about some lighter-than-air bats to dangle from the ceiling? Maybe a mummy pillow to scare all your other pillows?

Check out these and other fun and easy, no-sew projects featured on the Dritz Make Something blog. There are links to full tutorials as well as general tips and tricks. For example, did you know you can dye cheesecloth? Because it’s 100% cotton, cheesecloth easily and evenly absorbs and holds colored dye. And how about this little fact: a solution of simple white glue is all it takes to stiffen cheesecloth so it can be molded into shapes – great for ghosts!

Dritz Cheesecloth is not just for Halloween, check out these six everyday uses

1. Cleaning and polishing silver — It’s soft, all-cotton, and the weave adds just enough friction to remove water stains and other nasty build-up from silver flatware, plates, pitchers, and more. To go all-natural, dampen the Dritz Cheesecloth and add a bit of baking soda for extra polishing power.

2. Straining soups, coffee, yogurt, and more — Dritz Cheesecloth is food grade so you can put it to use in the kitchen without worry. It’s the perfect fine sieve for all kinds of straining tasks, which harkens back to its original use for removing moisture during the cheese making process. Simply rinse the cheesecloth to remove any lint and layer it over a standard colander to filter out large and small particles.

3. Basting turkey and chicken — Soak a large panel of Dritz Cheesecloth in white wine, olive oil, and butter, then wrap your poultry’s breast with it to keep the meat super moist and delicious.

4. Bundling herbs in cooking — Many recipes call for a blend of herbs. A great way to mix and then infuse the blended herbs into your cooking is to make a small pouch from a square of Dritz Cheesecloth. Spoon the dried herbs onto the square, gather up the square, and tie at the top with twine. Drop the pouch into the pot to infuse and remove prior to serving. Works for tea leaves too.

5. Dusting and sifting for baked goods — Isn’t it impressive when you see those delicious pastries and cakes beautifully dusted with powdered sugar? You can use Dritz Cheesecloth to get the same pro look. Simply stretch the cheesecloth over a Mason jar filled with sugar or cocoa, screw on the outer ring, and sprinkle away.

6. Auto detailing — Soft, non-abrasive Dritz Cheesecloth is perfect for waxing, polishing, and cleaning your car. Those new-age auto-cleaning materials certainly have their place, but sometimes you just can’t beat natural, soft, loosely woven cheesecloth for a final wipe down.

Are you ready to become a Champion of Cheesecloth?!

You can find Dritz Cheesecloth at your favorite in-store and online retailers. It’s available most commonly in three packaged sizes: 36” x 3 yards, 36” x 6 yards, and 36” x 15 yards. Some outlets also carry the extra-large 36” x 80 yard box.