Cheesecloth is one of the most essential pieces of fabric when camping in the wild. It is the fabric that can mean the difference between life and death. Simply stated, it’s a survival tool that should never be left behind. Survival cheesecloth uses in the wild range from first aid to designing camo nets and you will definitely find this fabric to be a great resource.
The fact that cheesecloth will be used in almost every activity doesn’t mean that you need to carry rolls of the precious cloth. You just need a few pieces and a clear understanding on how to clean cheesecloth in the wild. Here is a guide on how to clean and maintain your cheesecloth in the best shape with limited resources.
1. Soak Immediately After Use
Soaking is very essential in removal of residues that tend to coagulate and harden on the cheesecloth. It’s advisable that you rinse the cheesecloth in hot water. Collect a bunch of firewood and bring some water to a boil for this purpose. You may use the same fire to provide light and warmth at the camping site.
2. Rinse In Hot Water
Rinsing your cheesecloth in hot water will help you remove oil and other stubborn residue with ease. Oil solidifies and sticks to the cheese cloth making it difficult to clean with cold water hot water will make the work easier.
3. Soak In Lemon Juice
It’s not every time that you will have food safe soap while camping. In such instances, you need to explore other cheesecloth alternative cleaning techniques. One of such techniques is the use of lemon juice. Lemons are readily available in the wild and will play the vital role of disinfecting your cheesecloth. Let the cheesecloth sit and soak in the lemon juice for 30-45 minutes.
4. Hand-wash In Warm Water
Scrub the cheesecloth thoroughly in warm water. This will help get rid of any residues that may still be stuck in the cheesecloth. Scrub the entire length with emphasis on the areas that were in regular contact with food. Ensure that no stains are left in the cheesecloth.
5. Rinse The Cheesecloth
Rinse your cheesecloth thoroughly. This should be done with a generous amount of water. Preferably, this should be running water. Rivers in the wild are known to be clean and free from contamination. You can rinse your cheesecloth in the river ensuring that it doesn’t collect any dirt from the river bed.
6. Dry In Direct Sunlight
Being in the wild denies you the comfort of using a hot drier. It however gives you the opportunity to make the best of an even hotter drier, the sun. the sun is the most preferred cheesecloth drying method. It allows water to evaporate as the cheesecloth enjoys free flow of air.
Conclusion
Cleaning cheesecloth in the wild is not different from cleaning it at home. The only difference here is the limited resources. While you can wash your cheesecloth in the dishwasher or washing machine at home, you only have option of cleaning it by hand in the wild. The availability of cleaning agents may also pose a challenge in the wild. However, with a few survival skills, you will be good to go. Follow this guide on how to clean cheesecloth in the wild and continue using and reusing cheesecloth safely.