How to care for your wraps?

If you have made the switch to beeswax wraps, congratulations! You’ve taken a wonderful step toward reducing single-use plastic in your kitchen. However, because beeswax wraps are natural and reusable, caring for them requires a slightly different approach than standard plastic film. To help you get the absolute most out of your wraps, here is your complete guide on how to wash, care for, refresh, and dispose of your beeswax wraps properly.

1. Daily Cleaning: The Golden Rule of Cold Water

Washing your beeswax wrap is simple, but there is one non-negotiable rule: always use cold water. Warm or hot water will melt the wax coating right off the fabric, ruining its grip and food-preserving magic. And you don't have to wash your wrap after each use, only if it's dirty.

How to wash your wrap step-by-step:

• Rinse under cold water: For everyday use, a quick rinse under running cold water is often all you need.

• Use mild dish soap & a soft sponge: If the wrap held something greasy or left a residue, add a tiny drop of mild, eco-friendly dish soap. Gently wipe it using the smooth side of a soft sponge.

• Avoid scrubbers and heavy rubbing: Never scrub forcefully or use abrasive pads. Rubbing damages the wax layer over time.

• Air dry: Hang your wrap over a drying rack, dish drainer, or clothesline out of direct heat. Once dry, fold it neatly and store it in a drawer or shelf.

2. What to Keep Away from Your Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are tough, but they do have a few enemies:

• Heat: Never put your wraps in the microwave, dishwasher, or hot oven (unless you are deliberately refreshing them). Avoid wrapping warm or hot food directly—let food cool down to room temperature first.

• Direct Sunlight: Storing or drying your wraps in bright, direct sunlight can melt or degrade the wax over time.

• Raw Meat and Fish: Because you cannot wash beeswax wraps with hot water or harsh sanitizing agents, avoid using them directly on raw meat or raw fish to prevent contamination.

• Pineapples & Highly Acidic Foods: Pineapple contains strong enzymes (bromelain) that break down the wax mixture. Stick to non-enzymatic fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and baked goods!

• Knives & Sharp Tools: Never cut food directly on top of your wrap, as sharp blades can slice through the cotton fabric and wax coating.

3. How to Refresh & Pasteurize Your Wraps in the Oven

After months of love and use, your wraps might start to look a little creased or lose some of their stickiness. Don’t throw them away! You can easily pasteurize and "renew" them at home in just a few minutes using your oven.

The Easy Oven Refresh Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 150°C (approx. 300°F).

2. Prepare a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment (baking) paper.

3. Lay the wrap flat on the parchment paper.

4. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes: Keep an eye on it—the wax will melt evenly into the fabric, smoothing out creases and redistributing the wax coating.

5. Cool quickly: Carefully take the wrap out by the corners (caution: it will be warm!) and hold it in the air for about 30 seconds until the wax sets and hardens.

Tip: Doing this every few months kills bacteria (pasteurizes) and keeps your wraps looking like new!