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Wondering how to use beeswax wraps?
Beeswax wraps are a popular & reusable alternative to single use plastic wraps, such as cling film. They’re also ideal to use in place of aluminium foil or plastic food containers.
Easy to use, beeswax wrap is a practical, more eco friendly way to cover sandwiches & snacks, as well as fridge items, such as cheese.
Naturally breathable, beeswax coverings are also suitable for wrapping fruit & vegetables, which last longer if they’re able to breathe. Plastic, on the other hand, can accelerate mould growth if moisture is present.
- What Are Beeswax Wraps?
- How To Use Beeswax Wraps
- How To Use Beeswax Wraps For Sandwiches
- 7 Creative Ways To Use Beeswax Wraps
- How Do You Wash Beeswax Wraps?
- How Long Do Beeswax Wraps Last?
- Pros & Cons Of Beeswax Wraps
- How To Make DIY Beeswax Wraps
- How To Use Beeswax Wraps: Conclusion
- Other Posts You Might Like:
What Are Beeswax Wraps?
Beeswax wraps are a coated fabric, most commonly cotton. The fabric is infused with food grade beeswax, tree resin (rosin) & coconut & jojoba oil. It’s the resin & oils which give the wrap it’s slightly ‘tacky’ & pliable feel.
The natural beeswax & oils make the wrap mouldable, so it can be shaped around food items, keeping sandwiches dry, cheese sweat free or items such as herbs, dry & fresh for longer.
Beeswax wraps are also completely natural, so they’re easy to recycle, as well as biodegradable.
You can even add them to your compost bin when you’re done (they last about a year when cared for properly).
How To Use Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are easy to use.
Simply use the warmth of your hands to press, or wrap, the beeswax material around food items. You can even use it to cover bowls or plates, moulding the wrap around the edges.
As the beeswax wrap cools, it hardens & holds it’s seal around the food, bowl or plate.
For a more secure seal around bowls, you can also add string or elastic bands.
Keep in mind beeswax wraps are breathable, so they’re not recommended for raw meat or fish.
How To Use Beeswax Wraps For Sandwiches
One of the common uses of beeswax wraps is as a greener alternative to plastic cling film or containers.
As well as being bad for the environment, plastic is also known to leach, or take on the smell of food. So switching to beeswax offers you a 100% natural way to store your lunch.
Simply mould a beeswax wrap around your sandwich (or snacks) to keep them fresh or invest in a dedicated beeswax sandwich bag to save you time.
7 Creative Ways To Use Beeswax Wraps
There are whole host of ways in which you can use beeswax wraps. Here are 10 ideas:
- Wrap a half used avocado in the fridge
- Use to hold fresh grapes, berries or nuts
- Use to cover Mason Jars
- Wrap around a bar of soap when travelling
- Use to wrap the bottom of a hand picked flower bouquet
- Wrap around buns or bakery items
- Use to cover bowls of leftovers in the fridge
- Mould around chopped vegetables for snack time
- Use to stop cheese sweating in the fridge
- Use to store fresh herbs.
How Do You Wash Beeswax Wraps?
It’s important to properly care for beeswax wraps. This keeps things hygienic, as well as prolongs the life of the wrap.
To wash a beeswax wrap it’s recommended you:
- Immerse the beeswax wrap in cold/cool water with a mild dish washing soap
- Give the wraps a scrub with a sponge or hard brush
- Rinse the wraps off with more cold water
- Hang to dry (a bulldog clip can be useful here)
- Store & re-use.
When storing beeswax wraps, you can either fold & store them in a kitchen drawer, bowl or basket, or roll them up and store in a glass jar.
Remember not to use hot water when washing beeswax wraps, as this can melt the beeswax.
How Long Do Beeswax Wraps Last?
Cared for properly, beeswax wraps last for up to a year. You can then recycle or compost them.
Used beeswax wraps typically biodegrade in around 3-6 months.
Plastic on the other hand, can take hundreds of years to decompose. It also releases micro plastics into the ground & oceans, polluting the natural environment & harming wildlife.
You can also revive beeswax wraps every 1-2 months by placing them on some baking paper on a baking tray on the lowest setting in your oven. Leave for 1-2 minutes, check to see if the wax has started to melt, then remove to cool.
Pros & Cons Of Beeswax Wraps
Once you know how to use beeswax wraps, they can become a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap that’s hard to beat. With so many cute designs to choose from, beeswax wraps:
- look good
- are simple to use
- are reusable
- don’t take up much storage space
- are 100% natural & biodegradable
- are more sustainable than plastic.
However, beeswax wraps are sometimes seen as quite expensive.
So if you plan to use beeswax wraps long term, it may work out better value to invest in a pack containing a few different sizes, rather than one single wrap. You’ll also find a range of sizes more versatile.
And whilst beeswax is bendy, it’s simply not as pliable as plastic wrap. But if you’re prepared to take a few extra seconds moulding it, it’s a sustainable option many people quickly get used to.
Beeswax can also look a bit tired & creased after frequent use. It’s not hard to ‘refresh’ it though (see method outlined above). This can help liven it back up.
However, if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to wrap food, or like reviving traditional food storage techniques, beeswax wraps could prove an invaluable addition to your kitchen.
How To Make DIY Beeswax Wraps
If the price tag of beeswax wraps leaves you goggle eyed, you can try making this homemade version yourself.
Or there are lots of decent DIY beeswax tutorials available online.
Check an individual tutorial to see what’s used, but it’s perfectly possible to make a beeswax wrap from only a piece of cotton fabric, grease proof paper, a baking sheet, a stick of beeswax, a grater & a small paintbrush.
Keep in mind as well, if you want a similar ‘stickiness’ & mould ability to shop bought beeswax wraps, you’ll need to add ingredients like tree resin & jojoba oil. It’s these that make beeswax wraps more pliable & less brittle.
How To Use Beeswax Wraps: Conclusion
Now that you know how to use beeswax wraps, if you’re keen to buy one, a simple search online will bring up a host of options.
From single beeswax wraps, sporting cute vintage designs, to larger, variety packs, shop around for options that suit your needs & feel affordable. Or if you’re vegan, try these plant based wax wraps, as an alternative to beeswax.
You’ll also find that many kitchenware or health stores now stock beeswax wraps at a reasonable cost, offering you a greener alternative to plastic & foil wraps.
Plus if you have kids, there are some lovely child friendly designs out there, as well as dedicated beeswax sandwich bags suitable for eco lunch boxes & trips out.
