Pulp Your Paper

Paper was invented by Ts'ai Lun in A.D. 105. It is believed that he mixed hemp, mulberry bark and rags with water, mashed it into a pulp, pressed out the liquid & hung it to dry in the sun.
You can also follow in the footsteps of Ts'ai Lun and make your own paper by following the instructions below:

Large tray or pan.
Bowl of water.
Newspapers
Blender/Food Processor or potato masher (For making paper pulp).
Wire netting or mesh.
Instant starch (two teaspoons in a cup). This is optional to use but it will help stiffen the paper.
Clothes iron.

Rip the paper into small bits and place into a bowl or the blender (about half full). If using the blender fill it with warm water and run the blender slowly at first then increase the speed and continue until the pulp looks smooth and well blended (30-40 seconds). Check that no flakes of paper remain. If there are, blend for longer. If you are using a blender skip to action point 4 but if you are mashing up the paper manually go to action point 2.
You will need to fill the bowl or bucket with warm water and if you want to add two teaspoons of starch put it in at this stage.
Let the paper soak for about ten minutes, then use either a potato masher or egg beater to liquidise the paper and mush it into a pulp.
Put the mesh into a tray with about 2cm of water and spread the pulp (you've just made) evenly over the mesh using your hands.
Lift the mesh really slowly out of the tray. Count to 20 slowly while you are lifting. Let the water drain out for about a minute and turn the mesh upside down onto blotting paper or another piece of newspaper.
Carefully take out the mesh and place another piece of newspaper or blotting paper on top of the pulp and roll firmly to squeeze out the water.
Iron carefully until it is dry. (Make sure you ask your parents or an adult to help you with the ironing, as the iron gets very hot and will burn you if not used correctly!).
Peel back the blotting paper very slowly revealing your very own homemade paper. Leave for at least 24 hours to completely dry out.

Just to show how clever you are send Spike or Daisy a letter or a picture on recycled paper you made yourself to the address below.
Also if you are interested in how to make your own compost then go to the compost cycle in the Low Down section.