How to Make Paper Using Cogon Grass

By Jane Humphries, eHow Contributor , last updated April 17, 2014

method to break down the fibers.

Cogon grass paper-making uses the soda

Making paper using cogon grass is a way to productively use the invasive weed.
Cogon weed is not native to America but spread from the accidental
introduction of the seed from Japanese packing materials in the early 1900s.
Making paper from cogon grass requires the effective breakdown of fibers to
produce the quality of material necessary for paper-making. The process can be
achieved using the correct method and provides effective results.

Other People Are Reading

How to Make Paper Out of Leaves

How to Make Banana Paper

Things You'll Need

Scissors

Colander

Saucepan and lid

Show (9) More

Instructions
1.
o

1
Cut the cogon grass into 1-inch lengths using a pair of scissors. Place the grass into a
colander and wash the strands under a running tap to remove dirt and grit.

Place the cogon grass into a saucepan. Add 1 tbsp. of soda ash per quart of water to the
saucepan and completely cover the cogon grass with the liquid. Place a lid on the saucepan,
bring the saucepan up to boiling point, and reduce the heat to simmer.

Simmer the cogon grass in the caustic soda solution for a minimum of 2 hours, stirring once
every half an hour. Drain the cogon grass pulp and rinse under running water.

Use a paper bag as a filler to provide a high cellulosic content to the cogon grass for effective
paper making. Tear up a paper bag into a bowl and soak the pieces in water until the paper
softens. Drain the water and put the paper bag pulp back into the bowl.

Add 4 cups of cogon grass pulp to 1 cup of paper bag pulp and mix in a blender with enough
water to amalgamate the two ingredients. Place a paper-making screen over a container to
allow excess water to collect below.

Pour the blender contents onto the paper-making screen. Spread the cogon grass mixture
evenly over the screen. Use a rolling pin to roll over the mixture to compress the pulp and
release excess water.

Remove the wet cogon grass paper sheet from the screen. Place the paper between two
layers of clean cotton material. Use a hot iron to press and dry the paper by ironing over the
top of the cotton.

Tips & Warnings

Use paper plates as the filler to produce a heavier paper texture.

Boil the cogon grass in a well ventilated area to avoid inhaling the noxious fumes
from the caustic soda.

How Can We Make Banana Peelings Into Paper?

by Elizah Leigh, Demand Media

SHARE
RSS
PRINT
EMAIL

Most banana paper is made from stalks, which contain much more fiber than the peels.

Trees do so much more than add aesthetic beauty to our landscape while shielding us
from intense sun rays. They also filter airborne pollutants and sequester carbon dioxide
emissions, ultimately enabling us to breathe a lot easier (see References 1). American
production of paper and printed matter, however, is responsible for releasing more than
40 million metric tons of CO2 into our atmosphere annually (see References 2). Tree
lovers can seek out sustainable paper options made from pulverized calcium carbonate
stone or assorted types of easily renewable plant fibers, or they can even craft an
alternative DIY version from trash-bound banana peels for eco-inspired letter writing.
Sponsored Link

Trading Seminars Manila

Know the secrets of Trading. Learn Forex Trading for Free!
www.mtrading.ph/seminars

1
Remove the stem and blossom end of four banana peels. Unripe peels work best, but
you can use just-ripened peels, too.

2
Place the skins in a sunny area such as your windowsill or deck until they transition from
yellow to entirely black. Theyll be ready to use in your homemade paper recipe as soon
as they are completely devoid of all moisture and pliability.
No Matches Found. Please try your search again.

Place 1 cup of shredded recycled paper into a blender along with 2 cups of water. Cover
it securely and then blend the combo on high until a gray-tinged slurry forms.

4
Prepare your completely dried banana skins so they can be added to the paper pulp by
first rough-cutting them into -inch bits and then depositing them into a pot of rapidly
boiling water. Allow the material to soften for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, stirring
occasionally.

5
The rehydrated banana skins are now ready to be added to the paper slurry already in
your blender. Once you augment the mixture with an additional cup of water, replace
the lid and process on high until it all comes together in texture and consistency.

6
Place your papermaking mold and deckle in the bottom of a plastic basin with the glass
frame facing up. Slowly pour the paper slurry inside the mold while concurrently raising
the double frame so all the excess water in your paper mixture drains through. Make
sure the paper pulp covers the entire surface area of the mold by hand-pressing it into
place; this step will reduce the moisture content so it is easier to release your
homemade banana paper sheet from its frame.

7
With a large damp cloth covering your table, place the mold/deckle on top so the deckle
frame can be immediately removed, followed by the mold itself. What will remain is a
somewhat solid sheet of recycled banana skin-paper pulp that must be cured before
use. Allow it to dry for approximately 24 hours or until all water has evaporated.

Things You Will Need

4 banana peels
Assorted shredded recycled paper
Sharp knife
Pot
Spoon
Measuring cup
Papermaking mold and deckle
Large plastic basin
Blender or food processor (with a minimum 4 cup capacity)
Large damp cloth

Tip

Ideal recycled paper sources for this project include colored envelopes, comic
pages, magazine advertisements, fast food wrappers, jar labels, wrapping paper and
junk mail (see References 3).

Create a homemade paper mold (also known as a mold and deckle) by removing
the glass insert in one large picture frame and replacing it with metal mesh screen (see
References 4), taking care to secure the material around the perimeter with a staple
gun. Then stack the second picture frame (with the glass still inside) directly on top of
the screened frame.
If you like the idea of creating banana-based paper but dont want to commit to
the entire drying and rehydration process, you can purchase premade banana fiber from
a papermaking supplier (see References 3).

How to Make Banana Paper

By April Lee, eHow Contributor , last updated April 17, 2014

Create banana paper from a banana plant.

Banana paper is an organically created paper made from the stalks and leaves
of the banana plant. It is known for its delicate look and earthy feel, as well as
for being an alternative to commercially created paper products. Banana paper
can be made at home and used for artwork or journal pages using only a few
ingredients including a banana plant, a sharp kitchen knife, a silkscreen or fine
mesh screen, and a large pot for boiling.

Other People Are Reading

How to Make Paper From Plants

How to Make Paper From Okra

Things You'll Need

banana plant

sharp kitchen knife

large pot
Show (7) More

Instructions
1.

1
Chop up the banana stalks and leaves from the banana plant into several thin and fine
pieces less than 1 inch long.

2
Place the banana stalks in a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water so that the stalks float,
and then boil the stalks in the pot on the stove. Stir the stalks constantly for about an hour.

o
o

Sponsored Links

3
Remove the pot from the stove and use the eggbeater to whip the stalks into a fine slurry.

4
Take the pot full of stalks and a silkscreen or fine mesh screen outdoors. Ladle the stalk
slurry onto the screen, spreading the slurry lightly and consistently against the screen. The
more consistent the stalk slurry is spread, the more consistent the banana paper will be
when dry.

5
Lay the screen against the side of a building or tree vertically so that part of the banana stalk
slurry drips down onto the ground. Allow the slurry that remains on the screen to dry
almost all the way, until it is just slightly damp.

6
Peel the banana paper off the screen. Pin the paper with clothespins and hang it on a
clothesline outside to dry for one or two days, or until completely dry. Remove the banana
paper from the clothesline to use.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_6464815_make-banana-paper.html

How to Make Paper

724,082 views
94 Editors

Edited 7 days ago

Four Parts:Preparing Your SuppliesPulping the PaperSetting the PaperFinalizing the Paper

Are you a reformed hoarder with heaps of old newspapers to get rid of? Did your
girlfriend just dump you and now you want to do something artistic and destructive with

her love letters? Are you simply looking for a rewarding project to do on a rainy day? If
you answered yes to any of these questions, you should try making your own paper. All
you need is some recyclable paper, water, pan, screen and maybe a blender.

Part 1 of 4: Preparing Your Supplies

1. 1
Prepare your equipment. To make paper, you'll mix pulp and water, and pull it up on a
piece of window screen. Here are some different options for starting:
o

Frame method: Stretch a screen over a wooden frame (an old picture
frame works well for this, or you can build your own) and staple it or nail it to the edges.
Nearly any fine screen or sieve with holes about 1 mm small can be substituted for the
window screen. The screen should be pulled as tightly as possible. Make sure the frame
is large enough to hold the size of paper you wish to make. Additionally, you'll need a
basin, bucket or pan that's larger than the frame.

- Watch a 10 second video

o

Pan method: Purchase a deep, disposable aluminum pan from the

grocery store, or find a deep casserole dish. Cut out a portion of screen that's the same
shape as the bottom of the pan, but slightly larger.

- Watch a 10 second video

Ad

- Watch a 10 second video

2
Find recyclable paper. Newspaper may be the easiest source to start with, but you can
also use old print-outs, notes, phone books - just about any unwaxed paper
product.Keep in mind that the color of the papers you use and the amount of dark ink on
them will affect the "grayness" of your creation. Avoid using any glossy or shiny paper it won't work as well.
o

Paper can also be made entirely of grass and leaves as well, in fact, that's
how most paper was made until the 20th century! You must cut the vegetation in small
pieces, soak it in caustic soda to "digest", strain it, and blend it to a pulp. Then pour it on
the press. After it dries, you can proudly say, "This paper contains no trees!" [1]

Part 2 of 4: Pulping the Paper

1.

- Watch a 10 second video

1
Clean up the paper. Remove plastic, staples and other contaminants. Especially if
you're using junk mail, your paper scraps are likely to contain plastic from envelope
windows. Try to remove such impurities as thoroughly as possible.

2.

- Watch a 10 second video

2
Tear the paper into small pieces. Don't spend to much time on this step, but do break
up the paper into smaller pieces. A few rips per paper should be enough.

3.

- Watch a 10 second video

3
Soak the paper in water. Put the smaller pieces of paper in a container (such as a bowl
or cup) and cover them with water. Let them soak for 30 to 45 minutes.
If you want to make colored construction paper,use paper with the least

amount of dark ink, use a lot of "pulp" and use liquid food coloring. The resulting paper
will most likely be opaque on one side and bright on the other. Depending on your
intended use, either side may be suitable, but the bright side will probably be better for
writing.
o

If you want to have whiter paper, half a cup of white vinegar can be added
to the pulp mixture.

- Watch a 10 second video

4
Turn the paper into pulp. Now that the recyclable paper is more wet and pliable, you
can start the process of turning it into pulp - a thick, goopy, slightly watery substance
that will eventually become your new piece of paper. Here are two possibilities:
o

Blend the paper. Rip the paper into tiny bits, and place it all into a blender
until it's about half full. Fill the blender with warm water. Run the blender on "slow" at
first, then increase the speed until the pulp looks smooth and well-blended approximately 30 to 40 seconds - just until there are no flakes of paper remaining.

Mash the paper. If you have a mortar and pestle (or something similar,
like the end of a rolling pin and a sturdy bowl) available, you can mash up the paper by
hand. Work a handful at a time, and aim to get the pulp so that it's similar to the
consistency of watery oatmeal.

Part 3 of 4: Setting the Paper

1. 1
Fill your basin about halfway with water. The basin should be a little wider and longer
than your frame and approximately the same shape.
o

If you're using the frame method, fill the basin and add the pulp before you
dip the frame.

- Watch a 10 second video

o

If you're using the pan method, put the screen in the bottom of the
pan beforeyou add the water and mix in the pulp.

- Watch a 10 second video

- Watch a 10 second video

2
Add the pulp to the basin and stir. The amount of pulp you add to the water will
determine the thickness of the paper, and while you want a dense suspension of pulp to
fully cover your screen in the next steps, you don't need to make the whole tub into
sludge. Experiment a bit. The thickness of can be changed from paper to cardboard
depending on the amount of water added to the pulp.

- Watch a 10 second video

Remove any large clumps of paper. Try to pick out any clumps; the smoother and
finer your mixture, the more uniform your end product will be.

- Watch a 10 second video

4
Seize the paper (optional). If the paper is going to be used for stationery, stir 2
teaspoons of liquid starch into the pulp mix. The starch helps prevent ink from soaking
into the paper fibers.
o

If you don't add starch, the paper will be highly absorbent, and your ink will
likely bleed quite easily. If this occurs, briefly soak the dried paper in a mix of water and
gelatin and re-dry.

- Watch a 10 second video

5
Immerse the frame in the mixture (frame method only). Place your wooden frame
into the pulp, screen-side down, then level it while it is submerged. Lightly move it sideto-side until the pulp on top of the screen lies fairly uniformly flat.

- Watch a 10 second video

6
Lift the screen from the basin. Slowly lift up the screen until it is above the water. Dripdrain it over the basin. Wait until most of the water has drained from the pulp, and you'll
see the beginnings of a new piece of paper. If the paper is very thick, remove some of
the pulp from the top. If it is too thin, add some more pulp and stir the mixture again.

- Watch a 10 second video

7
Remove excess water from the paper. After you've lifted the screen out of the basin,
you'll need to remove the extra water from the pulp. Depending on the method you
chose in Step 1, here's how to do it:
o

Frame method: After the water stops dripping (or nearly so), gently place
a piece of fabric (felt or flannel, preferably) or a piece of Formica (smooth-side down) in
the frame on top of the "paper". Very gently press down to squeeze out excess water.
Use a sponge to press out as much water as possible from the other side of the screen,
and periodically wring out the sponge.

- Watch a 10 second video

o

Pan method: Lay a cloth towel out on a flat surface, and put the screen
(with the paper on it) on one half of the towel. Fold the other half over so that it's on top
of the paper. With a clothes iron on low setting, gently iron over the towel. You should
see a little steam from the paper coming up.

Part 4 of 4: Finalizing the Paper

1.

- Watch a 10 second video

1
Remove the paper from the screen. Once the paper is a little more dry, you can lift it
from the screen. You can gently press out any bubbles and loose edges at this point.
o

Gently lift the fabric or Formica out of the frame. The wet sheet of paper
should remain on the fabric. If it sticks to the screen, you may have pulled too fast or not
pressed out enough water.

You can press a drying sheet of paper by placing another piece of fabric or
Formica on top of it and gently pressing. This will make the resulting paper smoother
and thinner. Leave the second piece there as it dries.

- Watch a 10 second video

2
Peel the paper off the screen slowly. If you find that it's not coming off easily, try
ironing it underneath the towel again.

- Watch a 10 second video

3
Set the paper out to dry. Take the piece of paper and lay it out to dry on a flat surface.
Alternatively, you can speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer on the low
setting.

- Watch a 10 second video

4
Peel the paper off the fabric or Formica (frame method only). Wait until the sheets
of paper are thoroughly dried; then gently peel.
o

Ironing (optional): When the paper is damp, but safe to move peel the
fabric/Formica from the paper and then use an iron set on high to dry the paper quickly
and give it a nice shine.

- Watch a 10 second video

5
Repeat the above steps to make additional sheets. Continue adding pulp and water
to the basin as needed.
Ad

Are you an expert on making the most of your time?

If so, share what you know about how to have a lovely day.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. We will take your detailed
information, edit it for clarity and accuracy, and incorporate it into an article that will help
thousands of people.

Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.

Tips
For a more artistic flair, you can also incorporate plant materials into your paper,

such as shreds of flower petals, leaves, or green grass. The resulting beautiful effects
will motivate you to make more - no two pieces are ever the same.
If you dry the paper on fabric, the paper may take on the color and texture of the

material, so be careful what you use. Smooth Formica may be the best option if you
want smooth writing paper.

Wax paper can be used instead of fabric or Formica.

To get excess water out you can put the cloth on top and press with a sponge be gentle!
If you have trouble pulling the paper out of the frame, you may gently turn the

frame upside down and try to pull it off the fabric or Formica.
You can add dryer lint to your slurry, but do not make your paper entirely from lint,

as it will not have enough body on its own.

Ad

Things You'll Need

Any unwaxed paper (it cannot be glossy or shiny paper)

Wooden frame or aluminum pan

Window screen


Container

Blender or a mortar or pestle

Basin (if using wooden frame)

Water

2 teaspoons liquid starch (optional)

Sponge (if using an wooden frame)

Towel (if using an aluminum pan)

Iron (optional for wooden frames)

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

1.

http://www.theforagedbookproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MakingPaper-by-James-Wood-1.pdf
http://how-to-make-paper.com/content/view/32/47/ - research source

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Making and Transforming Paper

Recent edits by: DarkPrincessWarrior, Jacob England, ALEJANDROR
In other languages:
Espaol: Cmo crear papel, Deutsch: Wie man Papier macht, Portugus: Como Fazer
Papel, Italiano: Come Fare la Carta, : , Franais: Comment fabriquer du
papier, Nederlands: Zo kun je zelf papier maken, :

Discuss

Print

Email

Edit

Send fan mail to authors

Ad

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 724,082
times.
Did this article help you?
YesNo

Community Images

Random Article

Related Articles

Cream

Plastic Straws

Write An Article

Share
2K+
Featured Articles

y
Meet a Community Member

Meet Mark, a wikiHowian from the US Pacific Northwest who is an Admin,New Article Booster,
andFeatured Author and has been active in the community for over 5 years. He lovesediting
stubs into full articles, boosting new articles, patrolling recent changes, and voting in the NFD
Guardian. The first article he ever worked on was How to Save on Utility Bills with DIY Methods, and
he ended up addicted to wikiHow and copyediting. He has stuck with wikiHow through the years both
because of missionand because of the great friends hes made in the community. He appreciates the
immense diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and knowledge, and that everyone is accepting without
prejudice and selflessly helpful. He says, If the world were made up of wikiHowians we would have
accomplished peace on earth!
Join The Community

Follow Us On...

Home
About wikiHow
Terms of Use
RSS
Site map
Log In
All text shared under a Creative Commons License.
Powered by Mediawiki.

Become
an Author!
Write an Article

How to Make Paper Out of Coconut

Fiber

By Jenny Harrington, eHow Contributor

Share

Tweet

Share

Pin

, last updated July 11, 2014

Buy coconut hair for paper art at craft stores.

Making your own paper gives you control over the final color and texture. The
paper can then be used in a variety of projects including card making,
scrapbooking and paper art. Coconut fiber, or coir, adds further texture to the
paper. Coir is a byproduct of the coconut industry. Made up of the hairlike
strands located between a coconut's husk and fruit, it is dark brown and
durable. When added to paper it lends a fibrous appearance and texture as well
as strengthening the paper.

Other People Are Reading

How to Make Floor Wax From Bananas

What Is Coconut Coir?

Things You'll Need

Bowls

Scrap paper

Blender
Show (5) More

Instructions
1.
o

1
Break apart the chunks of coconut coir and place it in a bowl. Add enough warm water to
cover the coir and allow it to soak overnight.

2
Tear paper into 1-inch squares. Use construction paper, tissue paper or any other non-glossy
scrap paper you have available. Place this in a separate bowl and cover with warm water. Let
it soak overnight.

Sponsored Links

Cheap A4 Paper Supplier

Buy bulk A4 Paper at $0.6/ Ream Heavy Discounts, Manufacturer price
a4-papers.wholesalepaperline.com

3
Place one to two handfuls of the soaked paper into a blender. Fill the blender with warm
water until it is 2/3 full. Blend until the paper resembles cooked oatmeal, then pour it into a
dishpan or shallow plastic tub. Repeat the process two to three more times.

4
Place a handful of the coconut fibers in the dishpan with the paper pulp and mix them
together with your hands. Add more warm water if necessary until the mixture resembles a
thick soup.

5
Staple a piece of screening material to the back of a picture frame that has the backing and
glass removed. Stretch the screen taut while stapling so there are no sagging areas. Set a
second frame with the glass and backing removed on top the screened one so the screen is
sandwiched between the two frames.

6
Dip the frames into the pulp and fiber mixture while keeping the non-screened frames on
top. Hold the frames vertical as you dip them into the mixture, then turn them horizontal
once they are submerged. Quickly lift the frames from the pulp. The screen should now be
coated in pulp and fibers.

7
Hold the screen over the tub until it is done draining. Remove the empty frame and set
aside, then turn the screened frame over onto a flat kitchen towel so the paper is now sitting
on the towel with the screen on top of it.

8
Soak up the excess water from the paper with a sponge. Blot the sponge against the screen,
wringing out the sponge as necessary. Repeat until the paper begins separating from the
screen. Slowly lift the screen frame up, leaving the paper on the towel.

9
Leave the paper to dry overnight. If still damp after 24 hours, hang from a clothesline or
replace the towel and let it dry completely.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_5887274_make-paper-out-coconut-fiber.html