How to Wash Wax Wraps

Don’t you wish there was a more eco-friendly way to preserve food without using plastic wrap? Luckily, fabric wraps covered in beeswax are reusable and great for keeping most foods fresh! After you use one of the wraps, some food might get stuck on the surface, so it’s really important to clean it every time. We know you probably have some questions, so we’ll walk you through the best ways to maintain your wraps so they last for a long time.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Cleaning the Wraps

1. Rinse the surface of the wrap underneath cold or lukewarm water. If your wraps don’t have a lot of food on them, a simple rinse might be enough to clean them. Simply take your wraps and run them underneath cool running water to get rid of crumbs and surface residue. Avoid letting the wraps soak in the water for too long, or else they may lose their waxy coatings.^[1]
   
   
   
   • Avoid using hot water or putting your wraps in the dishwasher since it could remove the wax.
2. Apply a drop of gentle alcohol-free dish soap to your wrap. For wraps that are more soiled, lay them in your sink and add a little cold water. Put a drop or two of your dish soap on the wrap and gently lather it on the surface with your hands.^[2]
   
   
   • Avoid harsh, grease-fighting soaps as well as bleach, solvents, acidic cleaners, or vinegar since they will scrub the wax out of the fabric and make your wraps ineffective.
3. Scrub residue off gently with a washcloth or sponge. If there are still crumbs or stains on your wax wrap, you may need to use a little more elbow grease to clean them. After adding your dish soap, use a non-abrasive sponge or washcloth on the heavily soiled areas. Only apply a little bit of pressure so you just clean the surface layer of wax.^[3]
   
   
   • Steer clear from abrasive pads or scrub brushes when you wash your wraps since they’re too aggressive.
4. Dry the wax wrap with a towel or hang it to air-dry. Shake off any excess water into your sink to help your wrap dry faster. If you need to use your wrap right away, pat it with a soft dish towel until it’s completely dry. Otherwise, you can hang your wax wrap on a line in a cool, dry place.^[4]
   
   
   • If you don’t have a line to hang your wraps, then set them on top of a dish rack instead.
   • Do not wring out your wax wrap. Since there’s an outer coating of wax, the water won’t absorb into the fabric.
5. Store your wax wraps in a cool, dry area. Fold your wax wraps so they’re easier to store. Choose a spot like a kitchen cabinet or drawer and place your wax wraps inside. That way, the wax won’t melt so your wraps stay safe and will still work effectively the next time you use them.^[5]
   
   
   • Avoid leaving the wax in an area with direct sunlight since the heat could make the wax melt out of the fabric.
6. Scrunch the wraps in your hand before using them to activate the wax. The wax won’t stick to itself as easily immediately after you wash it, so it won’t work well for preserving your food. Once your wraps are completely dry, take your wrap and crumple it into a ball in your hand. Hold it for a few seconds to warm up the wax with your body heat. Then, unfold your wrap back into its original shape.^[6]
   
   

[Edit]Reviving Your Wax Wraps

1. Refresh your wraps when the wax looks cracked or creased. After you use and wash one of your wraps, inspect it to make sure the wax looks smooth and even over the surface. If you notice some small crack and creases or if your wrap doesn’t stick to itself, then you may need to refresh it to make it work effectively again.^[7]
   
   
   • You can usually use wax wraps for about 3–6 months before you need to refresh them.
2. Wash the wrap before adding more wax. Start with a clean surface so you don’t trap any food or bacteria underneath the wax. Use cold water and a mild dish soap to wash any residue off of the wrap. Dry it with a towel or let it air-dry completely before putting on more wax.^[8]
   
   
3. Put the wrap in an electric oven for 2–3 minutes at . Put one of the racks in the middle position and preheat your oven. Line a rimmed tray with baking paper and set your wrap on top of it. Put the tray and wrap in your oven for 2–3 minutes so the wax melts and evenly redistributes evenly throughout the fabric. Take the wrap out of your oven and let it cool before folding and putting it away.^[9]
   
   
   
   • The wax on your wraps is flammable, so avoid putting them in a gas oven or anywhere with an open flame.
   • Sprinkle more beeswax onto your wrap before putting it in your oven if the wax is too thin. That way, it will melt and cover any areas where the wax is missing.^[10]
4. Iron on freshly grated beeswax if you don’t want to use your oven. Lay a sheet of non-stick baking paper on your ironing board and put your wrap on top of it. Take a chunk of hardened beeswax and rub it on a cheese grater. You only need a little bit of wax, but just make sure you evenly distribute it on the wrap. Cover the wrap with another piece of baking paper. Turn your iron onto medium heat and rub it over the baking paper until all the wax melts onto the fabric.^[11]
   
   
   • Let the wrap cool completely before using it or putting it away.
   • Don’t leave the iron in one place for a long time since you can burn the wax.
5. Reuse your wraps for up to 1 year before getting rid of them. After you refresh your wraps, they’ll work as good as new. Continue using the wraps for your food until they lose their stickiness again, which is usually another 6 months to 1 year. After that, you can throw the wraps away or use them as regular cleaning rags in your kitchen.^[12]
   
   

[Edit]Tips

• You can compost the wax wraps once they lose their stickiness.^[13]

[Edit]Warnings

• Avoid wrapping raw meat in your wraps since it could leave harmful bacteria on them.^[14]
• Don’t use hot water or wrap hot food in the wraps since it will cause the wax to melt.^[15]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Cleaning the Wraps

• Sink
• Mild alcohol-free dish soap
• Washcloth or sponge

[Edit]Reviving Your Wax Wraps

• Electric oven
• Baking paper
• Baking tray
• Beeswax
• Iron

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps
2. ↑ https://www.uncommongoods.com/pdf/40581-00.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.uncommongoods.com/pdf/40581-00.pdf
4. ↑ https://www.uncommongoods.com/pdf/40581-00.pdf
5. ↑ https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/how-hygienic-are-beeswax-cloths
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/U2RFabUtiCs?t=156
7. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps
8. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps
9. ↑ https://youtu.be/Qlgk3uKz6GE?t=102
10. ↑ https://youtu.be/_FhFnwNkXE8?t=129
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/PO4Q0hCWrwg?t=72
12. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps
13. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps
14. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-reusable-produce-bags/
15. ↑ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2018/07/19/how-use-and-revive-beeswax-wraps