I find tea-balls fiddly and hard to clean. The Ikea strainer looks better but still small. What I found easiest is a Chinese tea strainer: it's a metal mesh (st

I find tea-balls fiddly and hard to clean. The Ikea strainer looks better but still small. What I found easiest is a Chinese tea strainer: it's a metal mesh (stainless, hopefully) that is as large in diameter as a standard (American) mug, so it just sits on the rim and curves down half-way into the mug. Put in your dose of loose-leaf (black or green), pour water over it, and when done steeping just let drip over your mug and place on a saucer nearby (as you would a tea-bag). Some strainers have a small handle, but the rim is usually cool enough to grab after steeping. When cleaning, put used tea into the compost, and rinse the strainer as you would your cup. Set to dry on your mug, ready for next time. These are available in any Chinatown dry-goods store, and similar shops (or Chinese supermarkets such as Ranch 99 in California). BTW, this article comes as no surprise, but I'm happy to see basic science prove what we often think about plastics. I've been drinking loose-leaf tea for years for flavor and lack of wasteful packaging.