Homemade Paper

...How we made it.

There are many ways to make paper. So we combined a few to make an easier way. Be careful while making paper, it could get messy! An apron is a good idea. P.S. making paper takes a LOT of patience and it might not turn out right the first or second time.

Materials:

  1. A bucket

  2. Hot water

  3. Wire mesh

  4. Two wooden picture frames (same size)

  5. Paper that you want to recycle (ex: newspaper)

Step 1: Attach the wire mesh to one of the picture frames (nailing is a good idea). This will create a machine you will use to make your paper.

Step 2: Rip the paper you're going to recycle into squares (about the size of a postage stamp) and put them the bucket.

Step 3: Carefully, pour the hot water into the bucket (Full of ripped paper). Stir it with your hands after it has cooled down a little (You should do this every once in a while to make it stick together better). Let it sit for 1-3 hours.

Step 4: Pour the contents of the bucket onto the wire mesh that you have attached to the picture frame over the sink. Then put the mesh and frame with the mixture, on top of the bucket to let the water drip into the bucket. You might have to spread it out with your hands, but be careful not to make holes!

Step 5: Leave it like that over night (Preferably next to a heater). If it's still damp in the morning, leave it there overnight again. Make sure it's dry, then peel it off gently. Try not to rip it, it can be fragile!

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR HOMEMADE PAPER!

 

Did you know...

That paper is made from cellulose? Cellulose is found in plant fibers (like trees). To get the cellulose out of the trees you need to cut the trees down. Recycled paper reuses cellulose so less trees are cut down. Even when you make paper at home, you're reusing cellulose from the paper you cut up.

 

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