We've been intensively exploring the topic of upcycling for some time now. Wrapping your sandwich in cling film or aluminum foil every day – so many people do that. But it's not good for the environment at all, because the single-use plastic used in cling film is difficult to recycle. Even worse: It takes a shocking 500 years for it to decompose in nature, and even the popular aluminum foil has a very poor environmental impact.
Alternative? Be smart!
Keyword: beeswax! Beeswax wraps are essentially the ecological and sustainable equivalent of plastic wrap. Not only are they washable, but they can also be reused over and over again. So, instead of throwing them away, you're making a positive contribution to saving the world! And the best part is: you can easily make the wraps yourself!
This is what you need:
- Cotton or linen cloth without synthetics
- Organic beeswax pastilles
- iron
- Baking paper
- Suitable oil (e.g. coconut or jojoba )
This is your chance to give your old cotton towels, shirts, or sheets a second life. The fabric shouldn't be too thick, as otherwise it won't cling to the items and will feel rather stiff.
Good to know:
To make sure it looks chic afterwards, you should take the natural coloring of the beeswax into account, which means that fabrics will have a slightly yellowish tint, and bright colors will become a bit “warmer.”
And here's how it works:
- Cut the cloth to the desired size and place it on a baking tray with baking paper
- Melt wax in a water bath
- Optional: Add oil
- Coat a cotton cloth with beeswax
- Place another baking paper on the cloth
- Iron the wax well until it becomes liquid under the iron
- Trim the cloth to avoid fraying.
Tip: using zigzag scissors makes the result even prettier! - Hang the cloth with a clothespin to ensure it dries evenly
You may need to repeat the process in a few places to ensure that wax is applied to the cloth everywhere.
A little tip: To make the cloth a little more elastic, jojoba oil should help.
If you're looking for something a little more regional, rapeseed and sunflower oil work just as well. Give it a try and let us know if you notice a significant difference. We thought our results were pretty amazing even without oil. 
Image source: pandoo
Interesting facts
Care
The wax makes the wipes temperature-sensitive. They are best cleaned with cold to lukewarm water (up to 60°C) and, if necessary, with a mild, alcohol-free dishwashing detergent. After washing, it's important that they dry completely before reusing them.
durability
Depending on proper care, a cloth can last for several months. If you notice unpleasant odors or stains that don't come out with washing, it's time to throw your cloth away.
Repairs
If after some time you notice areas where the wax no longer protects the cloth, you can easily correct these with new wax.
Disposal
Beeswax wraps can easily be composted. Alternatively, they also make a wonderful firelighter.
Don’t feel like doing it yourself?
Our friends at Pandoo recently expanded their range and now offer super beautiful, colorful beeswax wraps , lovingly handcrafted with natural ingredients. The starter set includes three different sizes for versatile uses and is made from organic cotton, beeswax, organic coconut oil, and tree resin.
