Just use the top.. I run mine through a cheese cloth folded quite a few times works great. The pillow case should work if you don't dump the whole bucket. I just use a measuring cup and dip it out till I hit the feed then tilt the bucket get a bit more and thats it. The bottom stuff will have very small particles and yeast sludge you won't want in the still.

"I remember trying that pillow case thing too...what a stupid idea that was that someone passed on for all of us to try (with a recipe llike that). It sure as hell did'nt work for me either. Next time you make that wash or really any other get your self a autosyphon it works like a champ. You extend it down to the top of the grain and put it to work. As you drain your fermenter just give it alittle tilt so you can get as much as possible back out.
You asked about cloudy wash and what you should do with it....well what kinda still you using???? Fire under the pot or internal???? That makes a difference...if you are using gas then put the heat to it but if you have a element inside then maybe pour it back out and pour it through a cloth of some kind, of course that may help no matter the kind of burner you are using, it surely cant hurt to clean it up before stillin."

Keep it cool like in the fridge if you can. If not, in the house where its kinda cool and it should be fine -- remember its prolly 10-12% alcohol by now.