How to Clean Beeswax Wraps at Home – The Right Way

Looking for the best solution for cleaning and reusing beeswax wraps? Look no further. This article will guide you on how to clean beeswax wraps at home in the right way.

 

How to Clean Beeswax Wraps? (quick steps)

1. Gently brush off the crumbs.

2. Rinse in cold water with 1–2 drops mild dish soap.

3. Gently wipe with hand or soft sponge – no scrubbing.

4. Rinse cold; air-dry flat or hang on a rack.

Continue reading for detail guide and important info about beeswax wraps.

 

I will share with you in this guide:

• How to clean beeswax wraps with cool water and mild soap.
• How to Fix stains and odors.
• When to retire wraps.
• How to store beeswax wraps for longer use.
• Do’s and don’ts about beeswax wraps.

 

 

 

Do Beeswax Wraps Go Bad?

Yes, beeswax wraps obviously go bad over time. But if you can use and store it properly, it will last comparatively long.

The natural beeswax on the wrap can break down because of keeping it in a hot temperature, cleaning it in the wrong manner, or using it for a long time.

That’s why you should learn how to wash and clean beeswax wraps properly for longer usage.

Naturally, beeswax wraps go bad over time. But you can increase its usability by following proper cleaning and storage techniques.

 

 

 

How To Clean Beeswax Wraps at Home

So, how to clean beeswax wraps at home? You can clean beeswax wraps with cold water, a drop of mild dish soap, a gentle wipe, and air-dry. 

 

 

Elements Required to Clean Beeswax Wraps

So, you might be thinking about how we should clean beeswax wraps and what elements we will need. You can clean beeswax wraps following one of the 3 quick ways with the following simple elements.

1. Cold Water Only: Clean the beeswax wrap using only cold water without any cleaning agent.
2. Cold Water + Dishwashing Liquid: Rinse it with cold water and dishwashing liquid and clean it using your hand without any brush or scrubber.
3. Cold Water + Dishwashing Liquid + Scrubber: Rinse the wrap with cold water and dishwashing liquid and clean it using a sponge or coconut scrubber.

 

Among the three above methods, you can follow any of them. You might be asking which one is best?

Cleaning beeswax wrap with cold water and dishwashing liquid and rubbing with your hand is the best method to enhance it’s longevity.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Clean Beeswax Wraps with Cold Water & Dishwashing Liquid

This is how I clean beeswax wraps, and using beeswax wraps for years. Follow the steps below to clean beeswax wraps at home properly.

1. Brush off Debris: First, take the beeswax wrap in your hand and brush off if there is any debris.
2. Prepare Sink: Prepare a clean sink for washing purposes. If possible, make sure your sink has enough space so that the wrap fits into it.
3. Start Sink tap: Now start the sink tap and start the cold water flow at a low rate. Make sure the water is slightly cold, not warm or hot.
4. Soak the Wrap: Soak the wrap in the cold water flow and add one or two drops of dishwashing liquid, not more than that.
5. Clean the Wrap: Use your hand only and swish it around the wraps. Just make sure it is nice and clean.
6. Clean Opposite Side: Turn it over and clean the other side also using your hand. That’s it, just remove the stain, and you are almost done. Don’t squeeze it. Otherwise, coated beeswax may break down.
7. Rinse Well: Now take over the wrap from the liquid mix water and rinse it with cold fresh water once again.

That’s all. You have successfully cleaned your beeswax wraps. Make sure you haven’t squeezed it at any point.

 

Pro Tip: If you want to use a sponge brush, you can go for it as well. But don’t use any hard scrubber. Because it can cause damage to the beeswax.

 

 

Can You Wash Beeswax Wraps With Soap?

I wouldn’t recommend you wash the wraps with normal soap. Only cold water is enough in most cases.

But if you find any stain on it, you can wash it with 1 or 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, not more than that.

If you still want to use soap, use a mild dish soap only. Avoid harsh cleaners.

 

 

Why Cold Water Matters?

If you use warm or hot water to clean a beeswax wrap, it will melt the coated beeswax from the wrap. Beeswax softens/melts around 60–65 °C (140–149 °F). Hot water also loosens the coating.

 

This is why a slight cold water cleans beeswax wraps best. Also, increases the usability of the wraps for longer.

 

 

What Should be The Cold Water Temperature To Clean Beeswax Wraps?

There is no specific temperature of cold water to clean the beeswax wraps. The water temperature below 20ºC will be enough for washing it properly.

Try to keep the water temperature around 14ºC, and it would be most effective to wash the beeswax wraps.

 

 

How to Remove Stains and Odors from Beeswax Wraps

For light smells or stains, use a gentle paste.

1. Sprinkle a little baking soda on the spot.
2. Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice.
3. Rub gently with fingers or a soft cloth.
4. Rinse with cold water. Air dry.

Do not scrub hard. Keep water cool.

 

 

Why Not to Put Beeswax Wraps in a Washing Machine

A washing machine is too rough for beeswax wraps. It can melt, crack, or strip the wax. The fabric can also lose shape.

• Heat risk: Warm cycles can soften and melt the wax coating.
• Strong detergents: Many laundry soaps are harsh and break down the wax.
• Heavy agitation: The drum rubs and creases the wrap, causing cracks and bald spots.
• Spin cycle damage: Fast spinning can pull the wax off the cloth.
• Residue and smell: Laundry additives can leave scents or films on the wrap.

Hand wash with cool water and mild dish soap. Wipe gently with a soft sponge. Then air dry away from heat.

 

 

How Often Do You Wash Beeswax Wraps?

The frequency of washing beeswax wraps can be varied. For example, if you are using it to store oily foods or similar kinds of foods, you need to wash them after every 1 or 2 uses.

If you are using a beeswax wrap to keep dry food, you may need less frequent cleaning.

But it is recommended that you wash a beeswax wrap after using it 3 to 4 times. But when you find stains or debris on the wrap, you should wash it before using it again.

 

 

 

How To Dry Beeswax Wraps

It is also an important step. After washing the beeswax wraps with cold water, you should avoid placing the wrap in any warm or hot place.

So, how should you dry the beeswax wrap? Well, you can put it over a drying cloth and let it dry in the air. You can also keep it below the ceiling fan to dry it faster.

But don’t let it dry in sunlight or any hot place.

 

 

How To Revive Wax Wraps

After washing a bee wrap, we have to reuse it. In order to reuse a beeswax wrap, we need to revive it. Here is how to revive it.

• When you see the wrap dry enough, just stretch it with your hands.
• If it looks natural, you are ready to reuse it again to store your food or for whatever purpose you are going to use it.
• If it doesn’t look natural, keep it in a rack or inside a wardrobe for a few more hours and check again.

 

 

 

Do and Don’t for Cleaning Beeswax Wraps

Follow these simple rules to keep your wraps clean and long-lasting.

 

Do	Don’t
Use cold or cool water Wash with mild dish soap Clean using a soft sponge or cloth Air dry on a rack Use gentle baking soda for odor spots	Do not use hot water Do not put in dishwasher, microwave, or washing machine Do not use alcohol or solvent cleaners Do not scrub with hard brushes or pads Do not wrap raw meat or fish

 

 

 

 

How To Store Beeswax Wraps Effectively

Storing beeswax wraps properly and effectively will help you to use them for longer periods of time.

First of all, you can’t store it in a warm place. You should keep it at a nice cool temperature.

The following are the most effective methods to store beeswax wraps.

• Put the beeswax wrap in an airtight plastic or glass jar after every use.
• Don’t keep it in a warm place and never let it in the sunlight.
• You can keep it in a cold, dark place, and that could be inside a drawer.

You can keep it with other wraps each time you use it.

Important Note:  Make sure to keep beeswax wraps at cool room temperature, around 15–25°C, in a dry place away from heat and sunlight.

 

 

 

Can You Put Beeswax Wraps In The Fridge?

Of course, you can put beeswax wraps in the fridge. Putting beeswax wraps in the fridge won’t cause any damage to the beeswax.

So, if you are thinking of storing your food in a fridge by wrapping it with a beeswax wrap, you can do it. It will effectively keep your food fresh and safe for a long.

The coated beeswax might get hard if it is kept at a freezing temperature. So, after removing it from the fridge, make sure to keep it at room temperature for an hour. Then you can reuse it again to store food.

 

 

 

Refresh or Retire Your Wrap

Between the refresh or retirement of beeswax wraps, here is a simple rule:

• Refresh it if it feels dry, shows light cracks, or has lost stickiness.
• Retire it if you see mold, strong odors, dark stains that will not lift, or flaking wax that leaves residue on food or hands.

 

 

Quick Oven Refresh

This method should only be applied to use beeswax wraps just for one last time. Otherwise, never try this.

1. Heat oven to 65–80°C (about 150°F). Use the lower end first for safety.
2. Place a sheet of baking paper or a silicone mat on a tray. Lay the wrap flat with no folds.
3. Warm for 2–4 minutes until the wax looks glossy and fully melted. Watch the wrap the whole time.
4. Lift by two corners, wave gently to cool, then place on a rack to set for 1–2 minutes.

 

Pro Tips: If dry spots remain, grate a tiny amount of beeswax on those areas before warming. Do not overheat. If the cloth looks soaked or uneven, press lightly with a clean brush or another piece of baking paper to spread the wax evenly.

 

 

Low Heat Iron Method

1. Place the wrap between two sheets of baking paper.
2. Set the iron to low with no steam. Move slowly over the paper until the wax melts and spreads.
3. Peel the top paper, lift the wrap, and let it cool on a rack.

 

 

When a Wrap Is Truly at End of Life

• If stains or smells return after refresh, retire it.
• Cut into strips for fire starters or compost the cotton if fully natural.

 

 

Food Safety Tips

• Do not use wraps on raw meat or fish.
• Let hot food cool before wrapping.
• Very wet or oily foods can shorten wrap life. Use a bowl and cover the top instead.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

Final Words

Hopefully, you now know how to clean beeswax wraps effectively at home. Don’t forget to use cold water each time you wash the wrap. Also, make sure to store it in a cold and dark place.

Remember, washing beeswax wraps properly and storing them effectively will help you to use a beeswax wrap longer.

But when you see coated beeswax starts breaking down much, it’s time to replace the wrap with a new one. Because nothing lasts forever.

But washing it properly and keeping it in a cool and dry place will help us to use beeswax wraps for more than a year.

 

Helpful Articles and Resources.

• The most delicious honey corn muffin recipe.
• DIY guide to make a honey warming cabinet.

• Beeswax Wrapsas an Alternative to Single-Use Plastics.

• Efficacy of hand washing beeswax food wrap in household use.