When we saw the headline of this article in National Geographic's Green Guide, we thought: We know, we know. Stop using paper towels!
But, actually, they surprised us. Their first suggestion had nothing to do with paper towels. It was a little less predictable than that.
1. Reuse your coffee filters.
Huh?
Visions of soiled, sopping wet coffee filters hanging to dry with our laundry danced through our heads.
That seems a little extreme, even to us.
But, no ... the people at Green Guide aren't advocating that we reuse our paper coffee filters, they're recommending reusable cone or basket filters -- which makes much more sense. Their first choice for a reusable coffee filter is actually a reusable hemp filter ($4.95) from Greenfeet.com.
We've been using bamboo cone filters ($3.99) from Melitta -- but reusable hemp is obviously an even greener option.
The question is -- how well do they work? And, how messy are they?
Has anyone out there tried reusable hemp coffee filters? We're curious ...
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I haven't personally used the hemp filters so I can't attest to the quality of the coffee, but my old housemates used hemp filters. The filter turned brown but it was pretty easy to rinse out. If you're feeling squeamish there exists metal filters that you can easily clean out with an old toothbrush. I'd best stop before I turn into my mother.
view juice2's profile
Use a french press and you get far better tasting coffee and no filters needed at all.
view jblue's profile
We use metal reusable coffee filters. My mom has had the same one for 20 years. The gold color is not as bright, but the filter works great still. I bought my boyfriend one and we use it every time we make coffee.
view serac's profile
Back when I drank coffee I used one of these hemp filters, and it worked great. It quickly became stained the color of coffee, which was fine, and we had a hook on the side of the fridge where it would hang to dry. Those reusable metal ones are definitely slightly easier to use, but with hemp you get to avoid the metal grid and the plastic frame-- so overall a much greener option.
view tinychoices's profile
I have a hemp coffee filter too. It's great and I highly recommend getting one! For the cost of a large box of filters, you can have a reusable one.
view Danio's profile
I always use my reuseable coffee filter, and I love it! No more flimsy bleached paper filters -- it has lasted me 10 years so far!
A little kitchen accessory that goes a long way...
It just makes sense. Save trees... Save the planet!
view ilovebc's profile
I have a little 4 cup coffeepot that takes basket style filters. Anyone know where I can find some reusable ones? Or at least ones made of recycled paper? I've only seen the cone ones and the larger basket style (like 12 cup).
view leonad's profile