It may surprise you that the coffee sock wasn’t originally an idea to help make our planet more sustainable. In fact, the CoffeeSock was born out of need. One day, a family in Austin had run out of coffee filters and needed coffee. They did what anyone else with a slight caffeine addiction would do (no judgement), and made a coffee filter out of tightly woven fabric. Thus, the CoffeeSock was born! This family found they actually preferred the fabric to the paper filters. They thought others might, too.

At least, that’s how the CoffeeSock company came to be. It’s important we mention that the practice of using fabric when brewing coffee is not new. People in many countries like Venezuela and Costa Rica have been using fabric to strain coffee for years. Here, the CoffeeSock was also invented out of necessity. After all, using a CoffeeSock is not only sustainable, but also convenient and affordable. 

What Is A CoffeeSock? 

A CoffeeSock is a replacement for coffee filters. We have two different types at Lochtree. One is our reusable fabric organic coffee filter, and the other is a CoffeeSock that comes in our cold brew kit. The cotton coffee filters work better for hot coffee and the cold brew kit works better for - you guessed it - cold brew. 

Both of these sustainable options give you the opportunity to get your caffeine fix while eliminating a single use item from your life. Good news, neither of them will ever end up anywhere near your feet, despite the cute name. 

The Environmental Impact of Coffee Filters

Coffee filters are an item that seem pretty harmless at first glance. They’re thin, small, and seem as though they would break down easily. If you’ve ever had a coffee filter break on your way to the trash and then scatter wet coffee grounds all over your kitchen floor - there’s a good chance you don’t think throwing away a coffee filter or two would be that big of a deal. 

In some ways, you’re right. Many coffee filters are now made without chemicals. They’re also made with compostable materials. When you’re done brewing your coffee you can toss the filter right into the compost. But, if you make one pot of coffee a day, that’s 365 coffee filters headed to the landfill or being composted. It’s estimated that humans use 750 million coffee filters each day. That’s roughly 1.5 million trees cut down to create those filters. 

One single CoffeeSock can replace your 365 coffee filters. It’sliterally as simple as one order. 

It’s estimated that humans use 750 million coffee filters each day. That’s roughly 1.5 million trees cut down to create those filters. 

Let’s also say the average number of filters you buy is 100 filters. That means you’re taking three to four trips to the store (or boxes to your door) to get your coffee filters. Then, you have to consider how the coffee filters got to where you purchased them from. Lastly, you have to consider the size of their boxes, especially compared to the size of shipping one CoffeeSock and how many can be transported together. 

Using a CoffeeSock means less trips to the store in one year. We can also fit a lot more CoffeeSocks on one truck. From a carbon footprint standpoint, it's hard to make an argument that single use filters could ever be better than a CoffeeSock. 

So, a CoffeeSock is a win for the environment. But, how do you make coffee with a CoffeeSock? 

CoffeeSock Brewing Methods 

Brewing coffee with a CoffeeSock is as easy as making coffee the same way you always have. Whether you’re a cold brew or hot coffee fan, the CoffeeSock can replace the filter in your life! 

CoffeeSock Cold Brew Instructions

1. Remove the lid and open up your CoffeeSock. Wrap the edges of the coffee sock around the mouth of the jar. 
2. Add your favorite freshly ground coffee into the CoffeeSock. Be sure to select a medium to coarse ground. 
3. Bloom to start. This is a fancy way of saying wet the grounds thoroughly by slowly applying water over the top of the bag into the jar. Be sure to not fill the jar all the way just yet. Let the grounds sit in the water for 60 seconds to avoid dry pockets and weak brews. 
4. After 60 seconds, pour the water through the grounds slowly in two to three inch batches. Fill the rest of the jar with water.
5. Remove the neck of the CoffeeSock from the jar and twist two to three times. Wrap twice with the strap. Pass the twisted neck of the filter through the glass ring to secure. 
6. Allow your cold brew to sit for 4 to 20 hours depending on size of jar and strength of desired coffee. 
7. Remove the filter after desired seep time and enjoy. Add water as needed. 

Coffee Sock Hot Brew Instructions 

1. Once you’ve ordered the right size of CoffeeSock (we carry a bunch), put it in the place you’d normally put a coffee filter. Literally, it’s that easy.
2. After brewing the coffee, compost the grounds. You can also sprinkle some in your house plants!
3. Rinse your CoffeeSock out well. Squeeze out any extra lingering water. If you must use soap, please pick a mild detergent. 
4. Hang dry until you’re ready to make the next pot of coffee. 

Looking for more ideas on what to do when you’re done with your grounds? Check out this awesome list of uses for your coffee grounds that go beyond throwing them in the trash. 

But Do Coffee People Like CoffeeSocks?

The short answer is - Yes!

The long answer is - Have you ever noticed that some coffee tastes better than others? There are a lot of factors when it comes to what makes a great cup of coffee. One of the factors is the material you strain the coffee through. Believe it or not, paper can leave a distinct taste in a cup of coffee. However, cotton doesn’t. 

The CoffeeSock is made from 100% organic cotton and won’t change the flavor of your cup of joe. The cotton will actually absorb the oil while allowing the acid, coffee and deliciousness to pass through. 

Picture a cup of coffee without the papery taste, or the oil. Oh, you can’t? Then you should order your CoffeeSock sooner than later! You deservethat magical cup of coffee to start your day. 

CoffeeSock Cleaning Instructions 

When you first get your CoffeeSock, put it in a boiling pot of water for 10 minutes. This will allow you to prepare the CoffeeSock for use.

After each use, rinse in hot water to remove leftover grounds and oils. It is not recommended you use soap, but if you do, please choose a mild detergent. 

Boil your sock every six to eight weeks for ten minutes to help remove oil from the sock. Add a scoop of baking soda to help maintain your filter. 

At the end of the CoffeeSock’s life, please dispose of it in the compost. 

Why You Need a CoffeeSock Now

It’s a warm, beautiful morning. Your partner is still sleeping. You’ve woken up naturally without an alarm at a decent time on a Saturday. You slept great. You head to the kitchen quietly (to not wake anyone) to make some coffee. You grab the CoffeeSock from the wine bottle it’s been drying on and fill it with coffee. You add water and sit down at the kitchen table to let it brew. 

The soft hum of the coffee pot lets you know that the day is beginning and it’s going to be a great one. Once the pot finishes brewing, you place your grounds in the compost. Then, you rinse out your CoffeeSock and hang it on the wine bottle to dry again for tomorrow. 

You pour a cup of coffee into your favorite mug and stand in the sun softly glowing through your favorite window. You take one big smell before a sip and feel your sinuses open. Maybe it’s the wonderful start of the day, but you’re relatively certain no cup of coffee has ever tasted better since you got the CoffeeSock. This one tastes especially great. 

Your morning can be that simple. Find out what coffee without a papery taste tastes like. Buy your CoffeeSock here.