Make Your Own Wax Food Wraps
Homemade wax food wraps: how to make, use, care for, and store. Below is a recipe and instructions for making your own wax food wraps. Or just watch this very short video tutorial.
Here’s an easy DIY to include in your plastic-free journey: wax food wraps. Wax food wraps replace plastic (cling) wrap in your kitchen. They are reusable, and also 100% compostable when they wear out and can no longer be used. These are super simple to make, and the recipe is adjustable so you can choose the “stiffness” and sizes of your wraps.
They’re self adhesive, reusable, eco-friendly, plastic-free, and zero waste. Natural beeswax is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, it will help keep food fresher longer.
They are great for keeping food fresh. You can use them to cover dishes, wrap up veggies and fruit, store cheeses or even shape into a sandwich bag. Not only are they a great addition to your kitchen but they are also perfect to make while you’re spending a little more time at home, and needing to make food last longer.
How-To Video
If you are looking for easy ways to reduce your waste as well as harmful chemicals, this is a pretty basic recipe you can try.
How to Make Wax Food Wraps
Ingredients
- 100% cotton (choosing the right fabric is essential for a more durable wrap that holds the wax better)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 20g beeswax (candelilla and carnauba are great vegan alternatives)⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2g coconut oil, melted
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Grate your wax, if you don’t have the pellets.
- Place your fabric on a baking tray.
- Sprinkle wax and coconut oil over the fabric.
- Pop in the oven for 3 minutes.
- Take out and flip to the other side.
- Pop back in for another minute.
- Air dry by holding it by the corners and gently waft the fabric until it stiffens, this happens quickly.
That’s it! Your food wraps are ready.
Optional:⠀5-10g crushed pine rosin. Pine rosin helps to make the wrap stiffer if you are planning on sewing your wrap into a sandwich bag. Make sure you crush it to a fine powder as its melting point is higher than wax.
Caution: That’s ROSIN not RESIN.
For a Zero Waste Approach
The ingredient quantities above will yield one wrap approx. 12 in × 6 in. However, if you’re crafty and have leftover fabric scraps from other projects, you can cut up those scraps into different shapes and sizes to fit your needs. Then follow the recipe instructions.
How to Care for Your Wax Wraps
Proper care will ensure your beeswax wraps last their longest. Do not wrap food while it’s hot. Allow food to cool to below 90° F before wrapping.
- Wash in cold water with a mild dish soap.
- Avoid hot water and microwaves.
- Air dry before storing.
- Store rolled up in a cool, dry place.
Source & video credit:
The Zero Waste Cartel
@zerowastecartel
https://www.zerowastecartel.com/