Healthy Living: DIY Food Wrap Using 100% Cotton

For many who live clean, natural, and organic lives, plastic-free is something we aspire to.

However, using plastic wrap to cover food is so handy and automatic that many don’t give it a second thought. That is until now.

Heather Dessinger has come up with a brilliant way to replace cling wrap, plastic wrap, or saran wrap using biodegradable materials. Not only is this a great way to get away from plastic but it saves on costs and you learn a new skill.

Ready to learn how to make DIY food wrap? Let’s do it!

100% cotton fabric. Organic muslin works best as it needs to be very thin, almost like a sheet.

Scissors (pinking shears will prevent fraying.)

Beeswax Cheese grater Cookie sheet

Foil Paintbrush A clothesline or a makeshift one. If you don’t have clothespins, binders work great. Directions

1. Cut your fabric into desired dimensions and grate the beeswax.

2. Preheat oven to 185˚F. Line the cookie sheet with foil.

3. Place the fabric on the cookie sheet and sprinkle your grated beeswax over the top. A little goes a long way. While you’re getting a feel for how much to use, it’s better to add too little than too much. Remember, you can always add more.

4. Bake in your oven until the beeswax is completely melted, around 5-10 minutes.

5. Using the paintbrush, spread the beeswax evenly over the fabric. Note: The paintbrush will harden when the wax dries to reuse for more food-wrap projects; you can warm the bristles by placing it in the oven for a few minutes.

6. Hang your new food wrap sheet on your clothesline to cool. Once they have cooled, they’re ready to be used.

How to use your new DIY food wrap

Place over a bowl or container, wrap around food like cheese or fold into a snack bag. The warmth from your hand will mold the wrap into the desired shape.

Cleaning your food wrap

Wash with cold water and mild soap. Since you cannot wash them with hot water, it is not recommended you use them for meat.

How long will they last?

Depending on how frequently they’re used, they can last for up to a year. After that, all you need to do is re-wax them in order to keep using them.

If nothing else this is a great gift idea for people who like unique but useful gifts. You can even have a little family party and make enough for several households at one time. Either way, enjoy and stay healthy and free!

-Heather Earles