If you are trying to reduce how much single-use plastic wrap you use in your apartment home, opt for reusable beeswax food covers. These eco-friendly wraps are made from fabric coated in beeswax, and each one will last up to a year. Plus, they're easy to make, and no is sewing required. Win-win!
What You Need:
Tools
• Pinking shears
• Saucepan
• Glass jar
• Chip brush
• Iron
Materials
• Cotton fabric
• Beeswax
• Pine resin
• Jojoba oil
• Parchment paper
Instructions:
1. Prep Fabric Wraps – Choose a fabric you like and use pinking shears to cut it into the desired size and shape. When choosing shapes, think about what you'll be using the wrap for. Circular wraps work best for covering stored leftovers in the fridge, while square or rectangular pieces make it easy to wrap up a sandwich for lunch. Be sure to cut the fabric a few inches larger than the surface you want to cover, and if you plan to compost the fabric later, use all-natural or 100 percent cotton fabric.
2. Melt Wax – To add beeswax to your fabric wraps, you'll need to melt it first. Fill a saucepan half full with water and place the glass jar in the pan. Add 3 tablespoons of pine resin and 4 tablespoons of beeswax. On medium heat, melt the resin and wax, stirring occasionally. After the mix has melted, add 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and stir. Remove from heat and move immediately to the fabric.
3. Add Wax To Fabric – Layout your fabric wrap on the parchment paper. Brush the melted wax mixture onto the fabric. Once covered, lay an extra piece of parchment over the fabric and iron over the parchment paper on medium heat. Push the wax around until it's evenly distributed over the fabric. When you're done ironing, peel the top layer of parchment paper off and carefully remove the waxed fabric from the bottom layer of parchment paper. Let the wrap cool and wait until it is completely dry before using.
4. Wrap And Store Food – When your wraps are cool and dry, you can use them to store or wrap food items. You can use these reusable food wraps with most foods, but be sure they never come in contact with raw meat. They're simple to wash, too – just use lukewarm water and soap. Let them dry completely after each wash. You can use each wrap between 100-150 times before it needs to be replaced.
Inspiration can come from anywhere – just us at Woodhaven at Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia. By passing along this info, we hope to inspire you with new ideas, projects, and goals, too.