DIY Beeswax Wraps: A Natural & Reusable Food Storage Solution

If you’re like me, there’s probably no love lost between you and plastic. Most food-related plastics – including cling wrap and so-called “BPA-free” containers – can “release chemicals that act like the sex hormone estrogen,” according to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. (1) (2) Fortunately, there are so many amazing alternatives available now. In this post I’ll share my simple method for how to make beeswax wraps, aka reusable food wrap.

What is reusable food wrap?

As I wrote in this review,  beeswax food wraps are an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to plastic wrap that hugs bowls with just the right amount of cling. They’re saturated in a blend of beeswax, jojoba oil, and pine resin. The beeswax makes the wraps airtight and helps lock in moisture, while the jojoba oil adds flexibility and the pine resin adds cling.

Basically, the warmth of your hands makes them pliable so that you can use them:

• For wrapping snacks, fruit, veggies, cheese, bread and more
• In place of cling wrap over a bowl or other container
• As reusable snack bags/sandwich bags (You’ll find a tutorial for making them at the bottom of this article, or you can buy beeswax sandwich wraps here)

(Psst! If you’re grain-free and thinking sandwiches are a thing of the past, check out this real deal sandwich bread recipe.)

Why Beeswax Wrap is the BEES KNEES

• It’s made with non-toxic, compostable materials, making it good for us AND the planet
• Beeswax wraps can last a really long time, especially if you refresh them using the mixture below when they lose some of their cling.

So, why make a DIY version?

Bees Wrap is a great investment because it’s long lasting, but it is an investment. This DIY version is much more affordable, especially if you buy in bulk and have a make-and-take party with friends. You can also choose beautiful prints – the reusable wrap pictured is a lightweight organic cotton fabric from Monaluna that I got a great deal on. They have a lot of beautiful fabrics to choose from.

Oh, and if you can sew a button – which is just about the extent of my sewing skills –  you can make reusable food wrap into these adorable snack bags. As I mentioned above, you’ll find a tutorial for them at the bottom of this page.

Is reusable food wrap difficult to care for?

Nope. Just wash them with cool water and mild dish soap, then allow to air dry.

Now, a few notes:

• They can be washed with cold water and a mild soap ( I use castile soap)
• Since they cannot be washed with hot water they are not recommended for meat
• Items like cheese, vegetables, fruits, nuts, sandwiches, etc. can be wrapped up. Items that contain a lot of moisture (like jello) should not be placed in snack bags
• Depending on how frequently they’re used, they can last for up to a year. After that all you need to so is re-wax them in order to keep using them.

Tip: If you’d rather not buy each ingredient individually, there is now a kit available that pre-blends the beeswax, pine rosin and jojoba oil for you in just the right amounts. It also includes coconut oil, which is not in my recipe, but I’ve heard it works really well.