How to make beeswax wraps

By Emily Osterloff

Is your New Year's resolution to get rid of single-use plastic?

Beeswax wraps are a popular choice for replacing cling film. These homemade food wraps are reusable and very quick to make.

You will need:

100% cotton material
sustainably sourced beeswax (pure or cosmetic grade)
grater
baking paper
iron
scissors

1. Cut the cotton to the desired shape and size and lie it flat on a sheet of baking paper on top of a heat-resistant surface.

2. Grate a thin, even layer of beeswax over the cotton. If you're using beeswax pellets, sprinkle on a thin layer.
Cover the beeswax with another piece of baking paper.

Use an iron on a low heat setting to gently melt and spread the wax across your cotton material

3. Heat an empty iron on a wool setting, or to around 150°C.

4. Gently iron over the top sheet of baking paper to melt the beeswax into the cotton and use it to gently push the wax to the edges. If there are any gaps, sprinkle on a little more wax and melt with the iron.

5. Leave the beeswax wrap to cool then peel it off the paper. Remove any excess wax left on the paper or clinging to the edges of the wrap and use it to make another.

Once the wax has hardened, peel it off the baking paper and it's ready to use

6. Use your newly made beeswax wrap to cover food while it's stored in the fridge. Using the warmth of your hands, press the wrap around the food to mould it into shape. Make sure the food is cool before wrapping.

7. To reuse your wraps, wash them with a mild dish soap and cool water and leave flat or hang to dry.

Beeswax has a low melting point, so make sure the item you're wrapping is cool before using the wraps

Make sure what you're wrapping is at room temperature, as beeswax has a low melting point and may get on your food or containers if they're too warm. This also means that beeswax wraps are not suitable for microwave use.

If your wraps start to lose their stickiness or noticeable folds appear, you can refresh them by ironing each wrap between two sheets of baking paper. Let them cool and harden before using again.