If you bring your own glasses and silverware to work, don’t forget your reusable bags in the car, and volunteer, then good for you. Enjoy your smugness and all the whales you saved. If you’re not a saint, there are plenty of ways that you can make a difference. One of them is by using beeswax wraps instead of single-use plastic when storing leftovers.
What Exactly Is Beeswax Wrap?
Beeswax wrap is a new natural alternative to plastic wrap and foil. It’s a cotton cloth covered in beeswax and other natural materials, such as jojoba oil and tree resin (our favorite popsicle flavor!), that make it easy to reuse simply by washing in cold water.
Beeswax wraps can be used to store foods in the fridge and freezer and can be made into little snack pouches for on-the-go food storage or to put the finishing touches on your kangaroo cosplay.
Do They Keep Food Fresh?
They do! If you fasten them tight with a clothespin, rubber band, or Chip Clip, we’ve found they work even better. That’s one of the drawbacks when it comes to beeswax wraps: They don’t always seal well. You can use the heat of your hand to seal them up, but it’s not always completely air-tight, which means sliced fruits and veggies may not retain their moisture.
What Can I Store in a Beeswax Wrap?
Almost anything. Use them to wrap bread, cheese, fruit, veggies, or your leftover pizza. Which, let’s be honest, is what you’re storing in there.
Just don’t use beeswax wraps to store meat or fish. Why not? The wraps hang on to the bacteria, even if you wash them with soap. So, unless you want to be really ill, just don’t do it.
If you forget and put the ground turkey from taco night in it, compost it or use it on your next camping trip as a fire starter and pray to the bee gods for forgiveness.
Can You Microwave Food in a Beeswax Wrap?
Would you microwave a candle? Don’t answer that.
If you microwave your beeswax wrap, your food is going to taste like wax. We get that, if you’re reheating steamed Brussels sprouts, this might be an improvement. If, on the other hand you’re gunning for a new microwave and your significant other isn’t convinced that you need one with a fancy button just for soups, go for it.
How Long Do Beeswax Wraps Last?
That depends on how well you take care of them. They can last up to a year, but should probably be rewaxed during that time. Reduce, Reuse Rewax. Amazing advice for saving the planet and your bikini line.
To take care of your beeswax wraps, give them a quick, light wash with soap and cold water – or just a rinse with cold water depending on how dirty they are – after each use and let them air dry. Store them in a cool place or in a basket in the counter if you are an influencer that lives in a charming French farmhouse.
Don’t store them above the oven. Only a doofus who ruined their entire first pack of beeswax wraps when they all stuck together would do that. Who could that be? (*puts on fake mustache*)
What’s the Catch?
Beeswax wraps are more expensive than plastic wrap, but they last way longer. You can even feel good when you discard them because they’re compostable. One “catch” is that they may leave a slight waxy residue on your hands. It’s not terrible because it’s an identifiable goo, but sticky nonetheless.
I Like My Fridge to Be Color Coordinated. Is This Going to Be a Problem?
In fact, they’re going to help you rock an aesthetically pleasing fridge! Just one more benefit of these compostable little beauties is that they come in the coolest colors! We’ve picked out a few that we think you’ll love. And, if you don’t, you can always make your own.
5 Beeswax Wraps We Love
1. This assorted 3-pack in classy, classic honeycomb.
Available on Amazon.
2. These polka dotted cuties.
Available on Amazon.
3. Rainbow honeycomb so you can reveal what’s really at the end of the rainbow. (It’s cheese).
Available on Amazon.
4. Bad at making decisions? This multi-patterned set of 10 has it all.
Available on Amazon.
5. Pineapples, lemons, and adorable honey-toting bees decorate these wraps. We know we store the pineapple in the pineapple one and the lemon in the lemon one… but we keep getting stung when we wrap the bees in the bee one. Good thing we’re super allergic!
Available on Amazon.
- How to Use Beeswax Wrap and Ditch Plastic Wrap - February 28, 2019
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