Beeswax wraps - what's the deal?

by Lucy Parley

If you're here and you might already be using one of our eco-amazing products, you're probably already wise to the idea that single-use plastic is one to avoid (or at least reduce the usage of) in your household products. And while using clingfilm can be convenient, it's pretty rubbish for the environment.
For a start, it takes hundreds of years to break down. Now there's foil, of course, which you can recycle, but the production of foil gives off loads of greenhouse gases and actually uses more energy than plastic does. Bummer.
And as we're all about easy eco swaps, this is where beeswax wraps come in... *Trumpet fanfare*
They're natural, they're eco-friendly, they're super-convenient (way to go, beeswax wraps!), and we don't think they'll mind us telling you they're cheap. Plus, as it's World Bee Day, we thought we'd make a big deal about them!
So we know you're all desperately shouting questions at the screen, wanting to know how the heck to use them, which is why we've invited the lovely Elena Fraser from Contented Earth to give us the skinny. Over to you, Elena:

HOW ARE BEESWAX WRAPS MADE?

Simple. They are made by melting beeswax into some cotton material, and then allowing the material to cool. It’s very easy to do it if you fancy having a go yourself - just ask Google!

HOW DO THEY WORK? 

You use them like clingfilm, really. Use the warmth of your hands to help mould the wrap over a piece of food, bowl, dish, etc. It will hold its seal once it starts to cool down. Brilliantly, though, the beeswax wrap allows your food to breathe.

HOW LONG DOES FOOD WRAPPED IN IT LAST FOR?

This is hard to answer, as it depends on the food, how old it is and if you’re keeping it in the fridge, etc. But normally a good few days or so, just like with cling film or foil.

CAN YOU WRAP MEAT?

No, you can’t wrap meat with beeswax wraps, as cross-contamination might occur on the next use. Avoid.

DOES IT MAKE FOOD TASTE FUNNY OR LEAVE A WAXY RESIDUE?

Not that I or my kids have ever noticed! I guess if the wrap is getting old and the wax is starting to break away from the material, it might, but you can reinvigorate them (see below).

HOW DO YOU CLEAN THEM? 

  • For totally dry food residues, I just brush it off.
  • If it’s something like mayonnaise, I’ll give it a gentle rinse under a lukewarm tap and allow to dry. If the water's too hot it will melt the wax and wash it off the cloth too soon, so your wrap won't last long.
  • If it’s really dirty, I’ll use a tiny bit of dish soap, and give it as gentle a rinse and rub as I can under warm water. It's a balance between washing the food off and being careful not to wash the wax out of the wrap.
  • Always hang to dry.
  • Do not use in a microwave.
  • Keep away from naked flames - the beeswax will make the wrap more flammable than if it were only cotton.

    HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU REUSE IT AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR? 
    • They should last about a year before they become a bit limp and less ’sticky’, but if you’re not too fussy, like us, they can last much longer - I think most of ours are about two years old.
    • At the end of use, you can compost your beeswax wraps (as long at the material is 100% cotton).
      HOW DO YOU REINVIGORATE YOUR BEESWAX WRAPS?
      This is super-simple. If they are wrapping or sticking less well, or the wax is all cracked, either place it between two pieces of greaseproof paper and give it a quick iron on the hottest setting, or put on top of a piece of greaseproof paper on a baking tray in an ELECTRIC ONLY (not gas) oven, pre-heated to 60’C for two to four minutes. Ta da!
      SO WE'RE GUESSING YOU'RE A FAN?
      They are so much better for the planet than cling film for these reasons: 
      • Compostable and biodegradable at end of their life
      • Reusable for at least a year
      • Not single use-plastic
      • Made from natural materials
      • Not made from fossil fuels
        So, yep. Big fan!
        Contented Earth sells eco-friendly everyday essentials, just like us. Check out their Pack of three beeswax wraps here, and the larger beeswax bread wraps here.
        Thanks for guesting on our blog, Elena!
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