DIY Reusable Beeswax Wraps

If you want to kick the single-use disposable habit then homemade beeswax wraps are a great alternative. You can use them in the place of cling-wrap to cover food and keep it fresh, plus they're reusable and can easily be refreshed if the wax starts to wear.

You'll need:

100% organic cotton fabric squares (cut a few different sizes)

About a cup of grated beeswax

An iron

An old towel or blanket that you don't mind getting waxy

A few sheets of grease proof paper

Method:

Step 1: Lay down your towel and turn on the iron to heat it up.

Step 2: Place a few sheets of greaseproof paper onto the towel then lay one of your cotton squares on top of this.

Step 3: Evenly sprinkle your beeswax over the cotton square, ensuring that you go to the edges.

Step 4: Place a few more sheets of greaseproof paper back on top of the wax and cotton square and then iron over it.

Step 5: Peel back the paper to check that the wax is evenly melted. You may need to sprinkle more on for even coverage and then replace the paper and iron again.

Step 6: Peel the wax infused cotton square of the greaseproof paper and let it cool and set on a wire rack or peg it onto a line of string to dry.

Step 7: Use as you would cling-wrap! We recommend that you don't use it on dairy or meat products as they may leave harmful bacteria on the wrap.

If you don't think you'd make them yourself but still want to cut down on your cling-wrap use then check out Wrappa's selection of vegan and non-vegan wraps that are extra sticky! They also come in multiple fun prints.

Is there a vegan option?

You could try and replace the beeswax with Candelilla wax, which is a wax harvested from the leaves of a small shrub that is native to Mexico. However, we haven't yet tried this method so we're not sure how it will hold up. If you do give it a go be sure to let us know how it went in the comments section below!

How do I clean them?

Wash your wraps in cold or lukewarm water with a mild soap. If you notice that the wax is wearing away after a few months you can simply sprinkle on another layer and repeat the iron process to make them brand new again!

Is cling-wrap really that big of a problem?

Unfortunately, it is. Plastic pollution is a growing epidemic that shows no signs of stopping. In the last ten years, we produced more plastic than in the previous 50. The problem with plastic is that it never biodegrades; instead, it breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, which usually find their way into our water streams and the stomachs of our marine life. This means that every piece of plastic ever made is still in existence today.

When it comes to cling wrap it's one of the plastics that are rarely ever recycled. Plastic wrap can't go into normal household plastic recycling bins as it melts at a different temperature to the other plastics and causes problems with the machines. However, some major food retailers such as Coles now have soft plastic recycling drop-off bins so you can bring back your clean plastic wrap or shopping bags. This is a great initiative but when it comes to single-use the first line of defence should always be to refuse, especially when there are simple and cheap alternatives out there!