11 Coffee Filter Substitutes that Cost Little And Do a Great Job

Are you looking for coffee filter substitutes because you’ve run out of coffee filters and are in a bind? Don’t worry, there are plenty of things around your house that can work as a coffee filter substitute in a pinch. And the best part is, they’re probably already in your cupboards. Here are some common household items that make great coffee filters.

What is a coffee filter? 

What a coffee filter does is block coffee grinds that can spoil the taste of your brew, slipping through your coffee. 

The three most common types of coffee filters are

• Paper
• Metal
• Cloth

Paper filters are white (contain chlorine) or brown (more environmentally friendly) and it’s no surprise they are the most popular filters. Filters made of metal are also pretty effective but cost more while cloth filters are becoming more popular since they’re affordable and easy to use. 

1. Coffee Sock

Keep your socks in your wardrobe.

You’re going to use a coffee sock (or cloth) that’s pretty effective to stop coffee grounds from slipping through your brew. Many even prefer it to filters as it can be used multiple times which makes it environmentally friendly. 

Coffee socks are made of 100% cotton and can be washed after every use. If you don’t let the sock dry out properly, it will soon get mouldy – so it’s wise to treat it as other pieces of clothing. A frequently used coffee cloth usually lasts between 6-12 months, but considering that buying one WON’T cost you a fortune (around $15), using a sock to filter your brew is an excellent idea.

By the way, such socks do a better job with coarse grounds.

2. Cupcake sheet cup

This is another pretty effective way to filter your coffee. 

If you’re into baking and more specifically making cupcakes the odds are that you have those fancy cupcake sheet cups in a cupboard. They are originally used to keep the frost moist and not to stick to the pan. But in this case, you can use them to filter your coffee since they’re made of paper, so it’s pretty similar to using coffee filters. 

How to use them:

Attach a cupcake paper to the brim and hold it tight. Just pour the coffee in and you’re good to go. 

3. Metallic filter

This is another effective way to keep coffee grinds away from your coffee.

They’re made of stainless steel, a material that can tolerate high and low temperatures. You can use it multiple times as long as you just wash it after each use. You can get a decent one for only $8 on Amazon that is going to last long. Plus, it doesn’t take up a lot of space. 

The good thing about a metallic coffee filter is that it will last years.

4. Kitchen roll

It’s pretty handy to use as most of us have it at home.

Kitchen rolls have multiple uses including wiping surfaces – why not use some to filter your brew? For better results, you can just fold it and hold it on the top of your mug while pouring the hot coffee in. 

5. Moka Pot

Based on recent research 9 out of 10 Italian households have a Moka pot.

Instead of using your machine you can go ahead and brew with a Moka pot which is pretty easy to use and filters out the grinds. It’s handy to have a Moka pot at home – you can get one for only $10.

6. French Press 

It’s pretty handy to have a French press.

You can brew coffee that’s rich in coffee oils and tastes fantastic. When it comes to filtering coffee grinds a French press does a pretty good job. Ideally, go for coarse grinds as it filters such grinds better than finer ones.  In general, coffee made with a French press is high in cafestol but it can be removed from your brew.

You can get a French press for $12.

7. Reusable teabags 

Who said that reusable teabags can only be used for making tea?

It’s regarded as a greener way to drink coffee since teabags are used multiple times and less paper goes to waste. So all you need to do is pour your coffee through the teabag and you’re good to go. You can get some good ones for $6 – they come in different sizes and can last a lifetime if you look after them properly.

So, don’t forget to give it a good wash after each use.

8. Cheesecloth

Cheesecloth is made of woven cotton gauze fabric.

It’s often airy and light and is known for its durability and it comes in different grades (levels of thickness). In this case, a thick cheesecloth will do a better job blocking the coffee grinds.

All you need to do is to cover the top of your mug with a cheesecloth and pour your coffee in; it will filter away the grinds.

9. A cotton shirt

Do you have a cotton shirt you don’t wear anymore?

It will make a perfect coffee filter as its dense material will prevent grinds from slipping through your brew. But keep in mind that the coffee stain won’t go away easily – go for a cotton shirt you don’t really care whether is marked with coffee stains or not.

10. Handkerchief 

Why not use one of your handkerchiefs?

If you happen to have a handkerchief that you don’t really wear (the one you might have got as a birthday present) use it for filtering your coffee. Most handkerchiefs are made of cotton or a combo of linen and cotton which are pretty good materials to block coffee grinds.

Bear in mind that the stains are difficult to remove – so choose wisely.

11. Mud Coffee

Have you ever tried mud coffee?

I know it’s not very appealing to many, but in case you don’t have any gadgets of the above, but really crave a nice cup of joe, go ahead and have some unfiltered coffee. 

To make mud coffee you need to place tbsp of coffee in a little pot and boil it for a couple of minutes. Pour it into your mug, the grinds will settle to the mug’s bottom and you can enjoy your brew.

Disclaimer: it will have some more mud than a filter cup of coffee.

Let’s wrap it up

No matter which coffee filter substitute you choose, remember to always clean it thoroughly after each use so that it doesn’t become caked with coffee grounds and is difficult to wash later on. Don’t forget that a water filter is equally important in a coffee brewer. Do you know how to clean your Braun coffee brewer?