Beeswax wraps are an awesome alternative to plastic wrap.
I discovered beeswax wraps when I went to a Council delivered Beeswax Wrap Workshop. It was offered for free to people in the LGA and it was one of the best workshops I have ever attended. I went on to make my own beeswax wraps and delivered workshops to all my friends in my backyard.
So, what are they, you might be asking? They are a sustainable, antibacterial alternative to cling wrap and foil. I use them to cover bowls of leftovers, fold them into sandwich and snack bags, wrap my toothpaste/toothbrush and soap when travelling. I have even used them as firelighters once they get old - roll them up tight and use a match to light them. They are like an endless match - which is especially good when people like me try to start a fire.
They are made from organic (tight weaved) cotton. The wax is basically painted onto the cotton and then baked in the oven for about 3 minutes. There are a few other essential ingredients in the wax to help make them both sticky and malleable.
The beauty of these wraps is they can be moulded with the warmth of your hands, so they stick nicely around bowls or leftovers.
I've been using them for 3 years now and I still have the same box of glad wrap in my drawer. These are such a good alternative to plastic wrap.
Why are beeswax wraps so awesome?
1. They keep food fresher for longer. I wrap my herbs in them (lined with one paper towel) and they last so much longer than my black and soggy bunches of mint and coriander used to. I also wrap half an avocado or any other small fruit and they last much longer.
2. They also have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties (like honey) which makes them great for food. The wraps I make contain Jojoba oil which also has antibacterial properties.
3. Sustainable and compostable. This is a huge advantage over cling wrap.
4. Multi-use. From my list above it is clear to see how versatile they are - from covering bowls and leftovers to wrapping fruit, snack bags and even soaps and toothpaste.
5. Washable. Wash in cool water or a damp cloth and let air dry.
6. Economical. If looked after they should last about about a year. You can even refresh them by putting them back in the oven at about 150 degrees Celcius for about 2 mins. This melts any lumpy wax back into the material, so you get a little more life out of them (ensure you use an old oven tray for this purpose only or use a sheet of baking paper as the wax is hard to remove from trays).
If you don't have any and would like to try some do get in touch through our Facebook page '3willroam' and I can post you a pack. My main blog page has details about the different sizes available (scroll to the bottom of the page).
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