The Ultimate Guide to Beeswax Wraps

Love your food but hate the waste? Sounds like you need to try beeswax wraps! If you're not familiar with them, beeswax wraps are a sustainable and reusable alternative to plastic cling wrap.

The Ultimate Guide to Beeswax Wraps

Love your food but hate the waste? Sounds like you need to try beeswax wraps!

If you're not familiar with them, beeswax wraps are a sustainable and reusable alternative to plastic cling wrap.

They're made of cotton fabric coated in a mixture of beeswax and jojoba oil, and they can be used over and over again to cover bowls, wrap up snacks, and more.

Best of all, they're totally biodegradable, so when you're finished with them, you can just toss them in the compost.

Keep reading to learn more about the best beeswax wraps and how to use them.

What are beeswax wraps?

As mentioned before, beeswax wraps 0ffer a sustainable way to cover your leftovers, wrap a sandwich or a piece of fruit.

They're made from cotton fabric that's been coated in a sticky mixture of beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin which gives them the same clingy properties as plastic wrap.

But, they're much more breathable, so they're perfect for wrapping up bread, cheese, fruits, and vegetables.

Best of all, they're reusable— just wash them in cold water with a mild soap and they'll be good as new.

Beeswax wraps come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns, so they're not only environmentally friendly but also pretty cute too! You can find them in a variety of great designs.

And, if you're feeling crafty, you can even make your own at home. All you need is some cotton fabric, wax mixture, parchment paper, and an oven!

best-beeswax-wraps
Image by Bee's Wrap

How to use beeswax wraps?

Beeswax wraps are super easy to use.

Just like plastic wrap, you can use them to cover bowls or wrap up snacks for on-the-go.

To use them, simply fold the wrap around the item you want to cover or store. The warmth of your hands will soften the wax slightly so that it will stick to itself and create a seal.

Here are some of the most popular ways to use beeswax wraps:

  • Wrap up sandwiches, cheese, fruit, or vegetables for a healthy and sustainable lunch on the go
  • Use them as a lid for bowls or jars. They form a tight seal that keeps food fresh.
  • Pack snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or crackers for a hike or road trip.
  • Make a square shape bee's wrap bag! Using two pieces of wax wrap, sew the edges together to create a small pouch. This is great for carrying small items when you’re traveling.
best beeswax wraps
Image by Bee Carefree

What NOT to use beeswax wraps for?

You shouldn't use beeswax wraps to cover raw meat, chicken, or fish because you won't be able to clean the beeswax wraps thoroughly in hot water afterward and the wraps may get contaminated from the raw meat or fish.

How to clean beeswax wraps?

Beeswax wraps will last for about a year with proper care.

Here are some tips for keeping your wrap in tip-top shape:

  • Wash your wrap in cold water with mild soap after each use. Avoid using hot water or putting your wrap in the dishwasher or microwaves as this can melt the wax coating
  • Let your wrap air dry fully before storing it away
  • If your wrap starts to lose its stickiness, you can refresh it by placing it in a warm oven (no hotter than 150 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overheat the wrap as this can damage it. The heat will reactivate the wax and give your wrap new life!

How long do beeswax wraps last?

As mentioned, beeswax wraps will last for about a year with normal use before needing to be replaced.

And when they finally reach the end of their life cycle, you don't have to feel guilty about tossing them—just put them in the compost!

Best reusable beeswax wraps to try today

Bee's Wrap Assorted 3 Pack

best beeswax wraps
Images by Bee's Wrap

Bee's Wrap food wraps are perfect for wrapping leftovers or packing snacks and lunches on the go.

This set includes there wraps of different sizes (small, medium, and large) that are very handy and have a large variety of uses: wrapping vegetable halves, cheese, covering bowls, bread, and many others.

Made in the USA with certified organic cotton, responsibly sourced beeswax, certified organic plant oils, and tree resin, these wraps are durable yet pliable and can be used over and over again.

Plus, they make a great gift for holidays, housewarming, dinner parties, and potlucks!

Akeeko Assorted Reusable Food Wraps

best beeswax wraps
Images by Akeeko

Akeeko Assorted Reusable Food Wraps are made from certified organic cotton, organic jojoba oil, ethically harvested beeswax, and tree resin.

They're also GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard), and the packaging is made from 100% recycled paper.

Akeeko Assorted Reusable Food Wraps come in a 9-pack with 5 small, 3 medium, and 1 large wrap, to cover all of your food storage needs.

Bee Carefree 4 Pack Beeswax Wraps + Produce Bag

best beeswax wraps
Images by Bee Carefree

Bee Carefree Beeswax Wraps stick better and seal better than ever before, keeping your food fresher for longer.

Plus, they come with a handy produce bag and two beeswax bars to replenish wraps that are becoming a bit tired.

Bee Carefree Beeswax Wraps are made from 100% organic materials and are biodegradable and compostable.

Bee's Wrap Extra Large Roll

best beeswax wraps
Image by Bee's Wrap

This flexible and versatile reusable beeswax wrap is perfect for all your kitchen needs.

With its extra-large design, you can either cover a large product, like a big loaf of bread or cut the wrap to create any size you need, which is super convenient.

Made in the USA with certified organic cotton, responsibly sourced beeswax, certified organic plant oils, and tree resin, this is a great option to make custom-sized wraps for yourself.

Bee's Wrap Vegan Bread Wrap

best beeswax wraps
Image by Bee's Wrap

If you would like to use a vegan wax wrap - Bee's Wrap has you covered!

Their Vegan Bread Wrap is made with certified organic cotton, plant-based wax, certified organic plant oils, and tree resin.

This bread wrap is durable and pliable, perfect for keeping your bread fresh on the counter.

It's made in the USA and it is a great vegan alternative to wraps made with beeswax.

Buzzee Beeswax Wrap - 5 Piece Round Bundle

best beeswax wrap
Images by Buzzee

Buzzee Beeswax Wraps Round Bundle comes with 5 round wraps that are super handy for covering bowls and wrapping vegetables in.

These wraps are made of certified organic cotton, coconut oil, beeswax, and tree resin, and can be used up to 200 times before being compostable or recyclable.

Not only are Buzzee Beeswax Wraps good for the environment, but they're also good for the community.

With every purchase, Buzzee donates one meal to a child in need through national organizations including Feeding America and the Global Food Banking Network.

DIY Beeswax Wrap Kit

best beeswax wraps
images by Jenny's Joy Soap

Jenny's Joy Soap DIY Beeswax Wrap Kit comes with everything you need to make your own beeswax wraps, including 5 large fabrics, a reusable button for sandwich bags, gift tags, and instructions.

Their premixed beeswax bars are made with quality pine resin, organic jojoba oil, and beeswax - all sustainably sourced.

Plus, every kit comes with Jenny's Joy's signature Pinon Pine Salve. This salve is perfect for easy finger cleanup.

This wrap kit is made in the USA.

Jenny Joy's Soap is family owned and its mission is to assist young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the local community by providing career opportunities.

So not only will you be doing something good for the environment, but you'll also be supporting a great cause!

What are the benefits of wrapping your food in beeswax wraps?

If you're looking to reduce your plastic use, beeswax wraps are a great place to start.

Here are three reasons why you should use them instead of plastic wrap:

1. Beeswax wraps are eco-friendly

Plastic wrap is made from petroleum products and isn't biodegradable or recyclable.

That means that every time you use it and throw it away, it's adding to the mountains of plastic waste that are polluting our planet.

Beeswax wraps are made from natural ingredients and can be composted when they've reached the end of their lifespan.

2. Beeswax wraps last longer than plastic wrap

With proper care, beeswax wraps can last for up to a year.

Plastic wrap, on the other hand, will last a lot less and it is usually chucked away after just one use.

3. Beeswax wraps are better for your food

Beeswax wraps are natural and breathable. They will keep food fresher than plastic wrap and won't leech harmful chemicals into your food.

Final thoughts

If you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap, beeswax wraps are the way to go!

They're made from natural ingredients, they last longer than plastic wrap does, and they're better for your food.

So next time you reach for the plastic wrap, think twice and grab a beeswax wrap instead!

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