How to Make Beeswax Food Wraps - A Reusable Cling Wrap Alternative

By Laura Anderson

​Ready to reduce your plastic and stop buying cling wrap at the store? Look no further! Beeswax food wraps are the perfect go-to for foodies who always have leftovers, optimistic savers and their half-used produce, or for wrapping up lunches when you’re always on the go. Beeswax wraps can do everything cling wrap can do -- and more!

Beeswax is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and watertight-- locking in moisture but not allowing it to build up. Unlike plastic wrap, beeswax wraps allow food to breathe, which in turn allows the food to last longer. These will not only decrease your plastic, but also your food waste!
Beeswax wraps are perfect for saving mushrooms, produce, breads, and cheeses. Toss them on top of your baked goods or prepared meals, and off to the potluck you go. They also work great as a plastic bag alternative, just tie them up like a present and you’ve got a cute sandwich wrap that will make all your coworkers envy your stylish sustainability. 
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Purchasing these wraps online can cost about $15 for a 3 pack, but you can get way more bang for your buck when you make them at home. Plus, they’re super easy, quick, and you can pick out all kinds of funky designs -- keep them to yourself or shower your friends and family in a unique gift that they’ll always love to use!

Supplies:

• Food Grade Beeswax Pellets (~$12/lb)
• 100% Cotton Fabric (~$6/yd)
• Wide Paintbrush (~$2) 

(make sure you don’t mind donating this brush to the cause because it will be forever coated in wax) 

• Cookie Sheet 
• Parchment Paper 
• Scissors

Optional:

• Ruler
• Hanger 
• Clothes Pins
• Pinking Shears (~$18)

Step 1: 
Cut the fabric -- this can be the classic square, circle, or rectangle. Measure it out or just wing it!
I cut 8” (S), 10” (M) and 12”(L) squares which covers all your basic needs. Normal scissors work great or I’ve used pinking shears to give it that extra pizazz. 

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Step 2: 
Preheat oven to 200 degrees 

Step 3:
​Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, this will protect the cookie sheet from getting any beeswax on it.

Step 4:
Lay the fabric on the parchment paper and then sprinkle it evenly with beeswax pellets. This doesn’t have to be perfect but make sure to get the edges. I used about 2.5tsp to cover a 12”x12” square.

Step 5:
Place the cookie sheet in the oven for about 5-8 minutes or until all the wax has melted.

Step 6: 
Use the paintbrush to spread out the melted wax till it completely covers the fabric. Make sure to flip the fabric over and spread it out on both sides. Work fast, the wax quickly hardens!
 * If there are any dry spots, put more beeswax pellets on those areas and stick it back in the oven *

Step 7: 
Hang the fabric to let it dry and you’re done! Congratulations on your new favorite food storage accessory :)

Care:
After using your beeswax wraps, wash them off with lukewarm water and a mild soap, then hang to dry. These wraps can be used at room temperature, in the fridge, or even covering food in your freezer.
 * Do not use these wraps for raw meat and keep them out of the microwave to avoid melting * 

With the proper love and care, these wraps can be reused for at least a year! If they start to decrease in quality, just heat them up in the oven and add some more wax pellets.

Laura is Asheville GreenWorks’ Water Quality Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member, and Co-Staff Liaison of the Plastic Reduction Task Force. She’s dedicated to stopping single-use plastics at the source -- keeping it out of our waste streams and our waterways! Together we can make a better tomorrow.

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