Beeswax Wrap 101

Beeswax wraps are a reusable and ecofriendly alternative to plastic cling film. Great for wrapping snacks, cheese, bread and even bowls, they’re simple to use and easy to make at home.

WORDS NIC TURNER | IMAGES BRYDIE THOMPSON

What you need: (makes 4)

100g beeswax

20g pine rosin

3 tsp jojoba oil

cotton fabric (I use old bed-sheets, which seem to be the perfect weight)

old pot, paintbrush and oven tray

Pre-heat oven to 150°C.

Cut your fabric into four 35cm x 35cm squares. This is the perfect size for sandwiches, small bowls and a large block of cheese—you can of course make any size that suits your needs. Draw on any names or decorations. Place one fabric square onto your oven tray. You can line your tray with tinfoil to protect it, but to save waste I just wipe mine clean with a paper towel whilst the wax mixture is still hot.

Chop up your beeswax into chunks and place in your pot. Crush the resin into small pieces and add to the wax. Place over a medium heat, stirring occasionally until melted. Add the jojoba oil and stir well. Leave on a low heat to stop the mixture setting.

Use your paintbrush to evenly cover one side of your fabric with the melted wax mixture. Place tray in oven for approx. 5 minutes or until the mixture is evenly melted. Do not leave unattended.

Remove from oven and pick up two corners of the wrap. Wave the wrap gently back and forth until cool enough to place on a board. If you’re not happy with the result, place it back in the oven to re-melt the wax. You can add more wax mixture, or if you feel there’s too much, place another fabric square on top to soak up some excess.

Care Instructions:

Wipe clean or wash in cool water with a mild soap.

The wraps are not recommended for use on meat, as they cannot be washed in hot water.

After a lot of use, the wraps can be placed back in the oven and re-melted to bring them back to life.

Extra Tips:

• Close the windows before making, bees are attracted to the smell of the wax.

• You can sew on a button and a winding string to turn the wrap into a sandwich pocket.

• Wipe your pot and oven tray with an old rag or paper towel whilst still warm to remove the wax before it hardens.

• You can do a simplified making method by skipping the pine rosin and jojoba oil, but the wraps will not be as flexible or easy to seal.

Nic Turner | Mainstream Green www.mainstreamgreen.co.nz

Nic Turner is Founder and Behaviour Changer at Mainstream Green™. A converted minimalist and aspiring zero waster, Nic’s all about creating a ‘Greenfulness™ movement’—where we’re mindful about what we buy and empowered to make simple changes that have a big impact.