Cheesecloth is a loosewoven cotton cloth used in cheese making, such as to press cheese curds for poutine. Cheesecloth is also used in straining stocks and custards, bundling herbs, making tofu, and thickening yogurt.

Cheesecloth was very popular as a material for shirts during the 1960s and 1970s.

Cheesecloth is available in at least seven different grades,from open to extra-fine weave. Grades are distinguished by the number of threads per inch in each direction.

Cheesecloth can also be used for several printmaking processes including lithography for wiping up gum arabic. In intaglio a heavily starched cheesecloth called tarlatan is used for wiping away

excess ink from the printing surface.

It was also used to simulate the presence of "ectoplasm" during spirit channelings or other ghost related phenomena.

Cheesecloth #60 is used in regulatory testing for potential fire hazards. Cheesecloth is wrapped tightly over the device under test, which is then subjected to simulated conditions such as lightning surges conducted through power or telecom cables, power faults, etc. The device may be destroyed but must not ignite the cheesecloth.