All you need is cotton and beeswax. The wax gives the fabric a water-resistant coating, and the warmth of your hands softens it, so it moulds neatly around whatever you're covering. Use your wraps for:
- Covering containers and bowls
- Wrapping cut fruit and vegetables
- Sandwiches, bread and cheese
You can make wraps in any size you need, from small squares for half an avocado to large sheets for a mixing bowl. A few different sizes also make a thoughtful gift.
What you'll need
- Cotton fabric squares
- Beeswax pellets, or beeswax grated from a bar. Aim for about 20g for each 30cm x 30cm square and adjust for bigger or smaller wraps.
- Baking paper
- An iron
Making your wraps
- Lay a cotton square on a sheet of baking paper.
- Sprinkle beeswax evenly over the fabric.
- Cover with a second sheet of baking paper.
- Iron on the cotton setting with no steam, until the wax melts evenly through the fabric.
- Spot a dry patch? Add a little more wax and iron again.
- Peel off the baking paper, let the wrap cool, and it's ready to use.
Wrap smart
A few quick rules keep your wraps working well and your food safe.
- Skip raw meat and fish.
- Let hot food cool first.
- Keep them out of the microwave and dishwasher.
- Take care if anyone has a pollen or honey allergy.
Keeping them clean
- Wipe with cool water and a mild dishwashing detergent.
- Rinse and leave it to drip dry.
- Skip hot water.
Give well-used wraps a bit of a boost
Wraps generally last between six and twelve months, and a quick refresh in the oven can bring them back to life.
- Preheat the oven to 100°C.
- Line a tray with baking paper, lay the wrap flat, and sprinkle a few beeswax pellets over any bare patches.
- Put the tray in the oven and stay close by, removing it as soon as the wax melts.
- Let it cool and set, and it's ready for its next job.
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