Hey earth muffins! A great eco swap for the kitchen is to opt out of plastic wrap and use other methods of keeping your food fresh. One way to do this is to use beeswax wraps – sheets of fabric coated in beeswax that cling to your food, bowls, and containers. I was gifted a set of wraps for Christmas a couple of years ago, so I thought it would be fun to write a review to answer the question “do they really work?”. Let’s jump right into it! π
What I Love About Beeswax Wraps
Obviously it is awesome that this is a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap! Cling wrap is single-use and causes a bunch of waste that ends up in the landfill (or even the ocean). Not great for Mother Earth! Instead of using plastic wrap, I keep my set of beeswax wraps in my mason jar hutch next to all my other reusable containers. Having them accessible makes it easier to remember to use them too!
Unlike the single-use nature of Saran wrap, beeswax wraps last a long time. Once you are done using them, just wash them with soap and water and let air dry. So easy! If you take care of them in terms of cleaning, they will literally last multiple years.
Plus, beeswax wraps work! They keep containers airtight in the fridge which is great for making sure your leftovers don’t go bad. You can also use them instead of plastic Ziploc bags too, as I’ve wrapped sandwiches in them for lunch. Just like with any plastic wrap, make sure you get a full seal to ensure the best result with your food.
Lastly, I love that these are accessible to everyone because you don’t even need to buy these – they are super easy to make yourself! All you need is some fabric scraps and beeswax. There are plenty of DIY tutorials on Pinterest sharing how to melt the wax onto the fabric. Super simple and a great way to knock plastic wrap this summer. π
What I Dislike About Them
When you first open the wrap, don’t be alarmed that it seems pretty inflexible. The beeswax has just hardened and needs to warm up a bit. I find that rubbing your hands over the wrap is a quick and easy way to warm up the wax. Once the wrap is more flexible, it will be easier to seal over containers. This tiny extra step may be annoying to some people, so I thought I would include it as a con.
The only other thing I dislike about beeswax wraps is that they don’t last as long as things like mason jars. Obviously metal and glass is going to outlast anything made from fabric and wax, so I often just find myself opting for containers instead of beeswax wrap. However, you can “mend” your wraps by adding extra layers of beeswax if you want… But I personally just find it easier to not even bother and just pull out a mason jar instead.
Overall, I think beeswax wraps are awesome! While I often just use mason jars instead of wrapping up food, it is nice to have a set of these available to me whenever I need them. π They work just like plastic wrap and come in so many designs and colors too. Have you tried beeswax wraps before? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this eco swap!
Love,
Jenna β₯