DIY Beeswax Wraps
We all know plastic is killing this planet. Did you ever wonder if there was another way to wrap up your sandwich or your kid's half-eaten apple?
I'll show you how to make an eco-friendly and reusable alternative to plastic baggies! And, with being able to choose literally ANY cute fabric design, the possibilities are endless!
They're tacky, flexible and easy to wrap around any shaped item. Once wrapped, the warmth of your hands is all you'll need to "lock" the shape of the wrap into place, and voila! They're also fantastic to use overtop of a bown that you dont have a lid to!
Did you know? Beeswax is naturally antibacterial, so they are a fantastic option for food storage! Although antibacterial, it is not recommended for meat products.
What you'll need:
Fabric
Parchment paper
An iron
An ironing board/wooden cutting board, or something that is safe to use as a surface for high temperatures (I used my wooden cutting board)
Beeswax (shavings of pellets)
How to do it:
1. Set up your working area. I used my wooden cutting board with a large piece of parchment paper over top. Plug in your iron and set it to medium heat.
2. Cut your pieces of fabric. Sizing is up to you, but I did about a 9x9 inch square for each of my pieces. I also ended up making a 12x12. This stage is completely customizable depending on your needs. I foung that the 9x9 square is perfect for apples and fruits and such. The larger square is fantastic for wrapping up my leftover sourdough loaves, or sandwiches.
3. On your working surface with your parchment paper, place a piece of your cut fabric.
4. Sprinkle a layer of beeswax shavings/pellets on top. Add another layer of parchment paper directly overtop of this.
5. Take your hot iron, and start ironing on top of the 2nd piece of parchment paper. Just set the iron on a space for a few seconds, and lightly press. You should start to see the wax melting underneath. Move your iron back and forth and use the weight and heat of the iron to "squeegee" the wax toward every part of the fabric. You want to make sure the entirety of the fabric is evenly covered with the beeswax.
6. Carefully peel away the top layer of the parchment paper.
7. Optional, but I found it helpful to fan the piece of fabric slightly to help quicken the cooling process. After the piece of fabric doesnt look "wet" anymore, peel it off of the 1st layer of parchment paper. The cooling process should take under a minute.
8. Set flat to cool completely. This should only take a few minutes. Now your wrap is ready to use!
To Store:
I like to roll up my beeswax wraps, and just place them in my drawer with my foil and parchment paper. Super easy!
To Clean:
Just rinse and lightly scrub (if needed) under lukewarm water. Lay flat to dry.