Homemade Beeswax Food Wraps
These are a great sustainable way to avoid food waste in the home without excessive use of disposable plastics. We used some old cotton tea towels.
Prep time: 30 neomat
Materials
- Locally sourced, natural beeswax (pellets or blocks)
- Old tea towels
- A paintbrush (for spreading the wax)
- Parchment paper
- An iron or an oven
Method
- Begin by washing and drying your old tea towels.
- If you're using beeswax blocks, grate the beeswax to facilitate even melting. Preheat your oven to 85°C.
- Place a tea towel on a baking sheet, sprinkle an even layer of beeswax pellets or shavings on top, ensuring good coverage.
- Put the baking sheet in the oven for 4-6 minutes or until the beeswax has completely melted. Carefully remove it (it's hot!) and use the paintbrush to spread the melted wax evenly over the cloths, and hang the freshly waxed wrap to dry or lay it flat. It should harden and cool in a few minutes.
- OR place your beeswax-sprinkled tea towel between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a hot iron, press down on the parchment paper, allowing the wax to melt and permeate the cloth.
- Once evenly melted, peel away the parchment and allow the wrap to cool.
- To use, mold the beeswax wrap around food or over a dish using the warmth of your hands to shape and seal it.
- Avoid hot foods or microwaving. Clean gently using cold water and mild soap.
