Looking for a way to reduce your reliance on disposable plastic wrap? Reusable beeswax food wraps might be the answer! These wraps are made of beeswax and natural fiber fabric, — they can be used to cover bowls, plates, or sandwiches. They’re a great alternative to plastic wrap, and they can be reused over and over again. In this blog post, we will show you how to make your own beeswax food wraps at home!
What You’ll Need:
- Natural fiber fabric: we’ve tried a lot of different fabrics, from cotton to synthetics, and cotton is actually the best option. It’s absorbent and beeswax adheres to it well. However, in case you don’t have spare cotton fabric to use, then try using a different natural fabric. Or, simply check for recycled cotton in nearby fabric stores, no need to buy a brand new piece of cotton fabric.
- Beeswax: so, where to find beeswax pellets for food wraps? You can find beeswax pellets online or at a local craft store. We used small ones because they’re easier to distribute on the fabric.
- Scissors: we believe a square shape for beeswax food wraps is ideal. However, feel free to be creative and cut out whatever shape you want!
- Oven: beeswax has a low melting point, so you won’t need a blow torch or any other special equipment. A regular kitchen oven will work just fine.
Instructions For The DIY Beeswax Food Wrap
- First, cut out the fabric into whatever shape you want. You can make them any size you want, but we recommend about 12”x12”.
- Next, heat your oven to 150 F (65 C). Beeswax doesn’t need a high temperature to melt, so just set up the lowest possible temperature in your oven.
- Protect your baking tray with parchment paper. In case of some wax drips, you don’t want it to ruin your baking tray.
- Depending on how big your baking tray is, you’ll be making one, maximum two, pieces at a time. Put one piece of fabric on the parchment paper and sprinkle it with beeswax pellets. You don’t want to put too much. Worst case scenario, if after baking there’s still some fabric not covered in beeswax, you can always add more and bake more.
- How long to bake beeswax food wrap? 8 minutes in a preheated oven. There are two things you should be checking for: whether all the beeswax pallets melted and whether the fabric is fully covered in beeswax.
- Once you’ve achieved the desired result you can hang the fabric to cool. We’ve used two clothespins to secure the fabric evenly on each side.
What Can You Wrap in Beeswax Food Wraps?
Reusable beeswax food wraps are great for covering up dishes, and bowls, or even wrapping up fruits and vegetables. We love using them for homemade sandwiches. Even with avocados and tomatoes that leak sometimes, beeswax food wraps are great at keeping everything together. You can also use them to wrap up cheese or snacks for later.
Beeswax food wraps are not just for food. You can use them to wrap up anything you want, like a soap bar or your toothbrush while traveling. We’ve even used them as a replacement for plastic bags when shopping for bulk items like nuts and grains.
How to Use Beeswax Food Wrap?
Simply wrap your food in a beeswax food wrap and put it in your lunch box, or in the fridge. The beeswax will keep your food fresh and protected.
You can use beeswax food wraps to wrap up sandwiches, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and much more. They’re also great for covering bowls of leftovers.
How To Clean Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps?
You can wash your beeswax food wraps with cool water and mild dish soap. We’ve found that using a soft sponge works best. Avoid using hot water or putting them in the dishwasher as this can shorten their lifespan.
When you’re not using them, store beeswax food wraps in a dry place. We like to keep ours in a drawer, but you can also hang them up.
How Long Do Beeswax Food Wraps Last?
Beeswax food wraps can last up to a year with proper care. Once they’re finally worn out, you can check with your local recycling center to see if they accept organic waste. Otherwise, you can add them to your compost pile.
Creases On Beeswax Food Wraps And How To Deal With Them
If you notice your beeswax food wrap starting to get creases, don’t worry! This is normal and will not affect the performance of the wrap.
To remove creases, simply heat up the area with a hair dryer on low heat until the wax softens and the crease disappears. Do not use iron as this can damage the wrap.
Are Beeswax Food Wraps Safe?
Yes, beeswax food wraps are safe to use. The beeswax is all-natural, just like the fabric you use, so there’s no safety risk involved.
Beeswax Food Wrap — DIY Solution Fresh Food Storage: Final Words.
Now that you know how to make your own beeswax food wraps, give it a try and wrap up some delicious Zero Waste Snacks for On-The-Go! It’s really easy and fun, plus you’ll be doing your part to reduce plastic waste. And if you don’t feel like baking at the moment, check out our list of 5 Popular Reusable Food Wraps to keep your food fresh & plastic-free!
Do you have any tips for using beeswax food wraps? Share them with us in the comments below!
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Iryna wants to make this world a better, greener place with less waste. Her mission is to protect the planet from plastic pollution by bringing awareness to this global crisis through her website. Send her an email to learn more about her mission and how we can help!