Hello There! Let‘s Find the Cheesecloth at Walmart and Other Stores
Wondering where to locate cheesecloth during your next grocery run? I totally get it. As a busy mom and small business owner, I‘ve spent my fair share of time rummaging store aisles for that elusive see-through fabric.
But thanks to years of experience selling homemade cheeses online through my Amazon FBA store, I know all the insider tips and tricks for finding cheesecloth fast. In this guide, I‘ll share exactly how to locate cheesecloth at Walmart, grocery stores, and even around your home when you‘re in a pinch.
First, What Exactly is Cheesecloth Used For?
Before we dive into the best places to find cheesecloth, let‘s cover the basics. Cheesecloth is a loosely woven gauze usually made from cotton. It has a multitude of uses, including:
- Straining – From broth to jam, cheesecloth filters out solids.
- Wrapping – Wrap veggies, herbs, cheese curds for steaming or aging.
- Crafting – Use as backdrops, pressing flowers, decorations.
- Cleaning – Dusting, polishing, washing delicate surfaces.
- Candy Making – Line funnels when pouring hot sugary syrups.
- First Aid – Secure dressings or ice packs.
I often use cheesecloth when making fresh cheeses like ricotta or chèvre to drain the curds. The breathable weave allows liquid to pass through while retaining solids.
For crafters, cheesecloth‘s durability and texture make it perfect for floral pressing and backdrop material. Basically, it‘s a versatile kitchen and craft staple!
Now, let‘s get into the best places to find cheesecloth when you need it…
Check the Kitchen Gadget Aisle at Walmart
As one of the largest big box retailers, Walmart is a prime place to buy cheesecloth. But with over 180,000 square feet of merchandise, actually locating it can be tricky!
First, head to the kitchen gadget and tool aisle. At most Walmarts, you‘ll find cheesecloth stocked near strainers, kitchen towels, and other cooking utensils. This section tends to stay consistent from store to store.
I like to buy Mainstays Brand cheesecloth that comes in a 5 yard roll for just $4.94. It‘s 100% cotton and gets the job done for most kitchen uses.
Can‘t Find It? Try Other Walmart Sections
If your location doesn‘t stock cheesecloth in kitchen wares, check these areas next:
- Crafts Section: Sometimes located near fabric rolls and other craft materials.
- Paper Goods: Check near paper towels and cleaning supplies.
Pro Tip: Download the Walmart app and use the store search feature to instantly see if cheesecloth is in stock and exactly where. This saves so much time!
Other Grocery Stores That Sell Cheesecloth
In addition to Walmart, I regularly buy cheesecloth from these major grocery chains:
Kroger – Check the kitchen gadget aisle first, then the crafts or paper goods sections.
Target – Look in kitchen tools and gadgets, arts and crafts, or the kitchen towel area.
Meijer – Check cooking utensils, fabric and sewing, or cleaning supplies.
Publix – Kitchen gadgets, crafts, or paper products sections.
Safeway – Cooking tools, arts and crafts supplies, or kitchen paper goods.
Hobby Lobby – Browse the baking, fabric, paper crafts, and sewing departments.
Stop & Shop – Look in the cooking utensil, craft, and paper goods aisles.
Whole Foods – Search the kitchen tool, craft, and paper product sections.
Ask an employee for help if you can‘t locate it. Cheesecloth is sometimes stocked in unexpected spots like floral or candy-making.
Online Cheesecloth Buying Tips
While brick and mortar stores are convenient, I prefer to buy cheesecloth online in bulk for my homemade food business. A few money-saving tips:
Buy in larger quantities to get better per yard pricing. A 12-yard roll is only slightly more than a 3-yard roll.
Shop Amazon, eBay, Walmart.com for discounted multipacks and wholesale deals.
Choose unbleached organic cotton for food contact uses like cheesemaking.
Purchase different weave sizes – pick finer grades for straining small particles.
Buying online allows me to stock up on large amounts of cheesecloth affordably. And bonuses like free Prime shipping make getting it delivered fast and easy!
Not All Cheesecloth is Created Equal!
Now that you know where to buy it, let‘s discuss the different types of cheesecloth fabrics:
Grade #10
The thinnest and finest mesh, Grade #10 cheesecloth filters out the smallest particles. It‘s ideal for clarifying stocks and juices.
Pros
- Extremely fine weave
- Best for clarifying liquids
- Available bleached or unbleached
Cons
- More delicate
- Needs gentle hand washing
Grade #20
With a slightly more open weave than #10, Grade #20 works well for straining curds, custards, yogurt.
Pros
- Good for straining soft solids
- Washable and reusable
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Can tear more easily
- Not ideal for very fine straining
Grade #30
The most common grade of cheesecloth, #30 has an open, gauzy weave. Use it for wrapping cheeses, steaming veggies, or crafts.
Pros
- Most versatile weave
- Machine washable
- Often sold pre-cut in sheets
Cons
- Lets smaller particles pass through
- Needs frequent replacing
Flour Sack Toweling
For heavy duty jobs, look for reusable flour sack towels. They have a tight weave and stand up to hot liquids.
Pros
- Very durable weave
- Reusable many times
- Launders well
Cons
- Can leave some lint behind
- More costly than basic cheesecloth
Cheesecloth Substitutes in a Pinch
Uh oh, you‘re about to strain your homemade broth but you‘re out of cheesecloth! No worries, here are some common household items you can use instead:
- Paper towels or coffee filters
- Fine mesh metal strainers
- Nut milk bags
- Cotton t-shirts or napkins
- Butter muslin
Avoid substitutes like paper napkins or terry cloth towels that could transfer lint and fibers. When in doubt, do a test strain first with hot water to see if the material will hold up.
While not exactly the same, these handy swaps will work when you need cheesecloth in a hurry. I‘ve even used a clean pillowcase before and it did the job!
Let‘s Find That Cheesecloth!
Now you‘ve got the inside scoop on where to find cheesecloth plus some handy buying and substituting tips. Here‘s a quick recap:
Check the kitchen gadget aisle first at Walmart and grocery stores.
Use the Walmart app to locate cheesecloth at your specific store.
Buy in bulk online for the best prices and selection.
Look for finer grade mesh for straining liquids and juices.
Sturdy flour sack towels work great for heavy duty jobs.
In a pinch, substitute with coffee filters, strainers, or cotton fabrics.
Thanks for letting me share my cheesecloth finding advice! Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to help fellow cooks and crafters. Happy cheesemaking and crafting!
