To reduce plastic waste and use more natural products, many people are switching to reusable beeswax food wraps as an alternative to single-use plastic wrap. Making your own Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps at home is a great way to control the ingredients and avoid chemicals touching your food. This in-depth DIY guide will cover everything you need to know to craft reusable, eco-friendly beeswax wraps.
Table of Contents
Why Make the Switch to Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps?
There are several excellent reasons to try making your beeswax food wraps:
- Avoid plastic waste – Plastic wrap is hugely wasteful and damaging to the environment. Making a reusable alternative is much more sustainable.
- Control ingredients – Store-bought beeswax wraps can contain unknown additives. DIY allows you to control what ingredients you’re using.
- Save money – Purchasing beeswax wraps can be pricey. Making your costs a fraction of the price.
- Customize sizes – Create wraps in the exact sizes you need for different uses.
- Fun project – It’s satisfying and creative to make your own homemade wraps. It’s a great activity for kids.
- All-natural – Beeswax and cotton are natural ingredients, better than chemicals touching food.
How Do Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps Work?
Beeswax wraps create a seal around food to keep it fresh, just like plastic wrap. But unlike plastic, they use all-natural ingredients:
- Beeswax – Provides stiffness and structure to wrap and adhere around foods. Sourced naturally from beekeepers.
- Tree resin – Adds flexibility so wraps stretch and don’t crack. Pine resin works well.
- Cotton – Natural fabric saturated in the wax and resin mixture. Absorbs the wax to coat foods.
- Oils – Coconut oil or jojoba oil helps condition the cotton and improve the wrap’s pliability.
When warmed slightly with your hands, the wax and resins melt just enough to stick to bowls or seal around foods. The wraps conform to the shape needed to keep foods fresh.
What Can You Use Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps For?
Reusable beeswax wraps are great for:
- Covering bowls, jars, and containers
- Wrapping fruits, veggies, cheeses
- Covering bread, baked goods, leftovers
- Packing sandwiches, snacks
- Replacing plastic baggies
Avoid using them for raw meats or very wet, juicy foods. The wraps won’t fully seal liquids in. But they work excellently as a plastic wrap alternative for most solid foods.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making DIY Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps
Ready to start making your own reusable beeswax food wraps at home? Follow these detailed steps:
Supplies Needed
- 1 cup beeswax – buy from a local beekeeper or bee supply shop
- 1 tablespoon pine rosin – improves durability
- Cotton fabric – pre-washed 100% cotton works best
- Kitchen brush for waxing
- Parchment paper
- Double boiler or glass jars in a pot of water
Step 1: Cut Fabric to Desired Sizes
Cut your cotton fabric into the shapes and sizes you want your finished wraps to be. Good sizes to start with are:
- Small 4×4 inch squares for covering small bowls or jars
- 8×8 inch rectangles for wrapping veggies, fruits, breads
- Large 15×15 inch rectangles for wrapping bigger items or plates
It’s better to cut these before waxing the fabric. If you need to trim later, the wax can gum up scissors.
Step 2: Melt the Beeswax
Prepare your double boiler with water in the bottom pot. Using low heat, melt beeswax in the top portion, stirring frequently. The wax burns easily so keep a close eye on it.
Once melted, remove from heat and add the pine resin, stirring to incorporate it. The resin doesn’t need to fully melt – it will dissolve into the wax as it cools.
Step 3: Prepare Workspace
Cover your work surface with parchment paper to minimize mess. Have your fabric pieces cut and ready. Lay them out in a single layer on the parchment paper.
Step 4: Brush Wax Mixture Onto Fabric
While still in liquid form, use a kitchen brush to coat the cotton fabric pieces with the melted beeswax mixture. Try to quickly but thoroughly brush wax into the fabric, saturating it fully.
Apply a bit heavier layer along the edges for a good seal. The fabric will absorb the wax as it cools.
Step 5: Seal Wax into Fabric with Parchment Paper
Once the fabrics are coated, place another sheet of parchment directly on top of each one. Then use an iron on medium heat to gently melt the wax into the cotton, sealing it in. Don’t let the iron sit in one spot too long. Keep it moving over the parchment, applying even pressure.
The parchment prevents the wax from sticking to the iron. The warmth from the iron allows the wax to penetrate the cotton fibers, sealing it in.
Step 6: Hang Wraps to Dry
After ironing, move the fabric pieces to a drying rack or clothesline. Allow them to fully dry and harden for 1-2 days. The wax needs time to set up and cure properly.
You can lay them flat or use clothespins to hang them if the excess wax along the edges is still dripping. Letting them hang helps the wax layers dry evenly.
Step 7: Trim and Finish Wraps
Once the wrapped fabrics are fully hard and dry, you can use scissors to trim off any uneven wax edges or loose threads.
Add a piece of cotton string, twine, or ribbon along the edge for an easy way to hang your reusable wrap in your kitchen.
And that’s it – you’ve made your own homemade reusable beeswax food wraps! Now wrap up fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, and other foods to keep them fresh.
Pro Tips and Troubleshooting
Here are some handy tips and potential issues to watch out for:
- Store beeswax wraps in breathable cotton bags or beeswax paper. Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers.
- To clean, use cool water and mild soap. Avoid hot water that can melt wax.
- Re-apply beeswax every few months as coating wears off with use.
- If wax cracks, the blend needs more oil. Melt a bit of coconut oil into the wax.
- For brittle wraps, remelt with more pine resin added. Resin improves flexibility.
- If wax won’t absorb into fabric, the iron is too hot. Try a lower temp.
- For sticky wraps, let dry a full 48 hours. Wax takes time to fully cure.
Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps Uses and FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about how to use beeswax food wraps:
How long will homemade beeswax wraps last?
You can reuse DIY beeswax wraps with proper care for up to one year. Over time, you’ll need to re-apply melted beeswax as the coating wears off.
Can you put beeswax wraps in the fridge or freezer?
Yes! The wax stays solid when chilled so the wraps are perfect for storing foods in the fridge or freezer. The wrap helps prevent freezer burn too.
How do you wrap foods with beeswax wraps?
Wrap the beeswax around items or bowls just like you would plastic wrap. Use your warm hands to lightly mold and form the wax around the food, creating a seal. The slight warmth from your hands activates the wax.
Can beeswax wraps be composted?
Usually not. The wax makes the wraps take much longer to break down than plain cotton. It’s best to reuse your beeswax wraps as long as possible before recycling responsibly.
Make a Difference with DIY Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps
Crafting your own reusable beeswax food wraps provides a simple, rewarding way to avoid disposable plastics and reduce waste in your daily life. Beeswax wraps keep food fresh naturally without any chemicals touching your edibles. Follow this DIY guide to start making your sustainable beeswax wraps at home. Let us know how your homemade Sustainable Beeswax Food Wraps creations turn out!
