Do Beeswax Wraps Stain? Tips & Solutions

Does Beeswax Wrap Stain? How to Keep Your Food Wrap Looking Fresh

A common question we get is: Do beeswax wraps stain? The short answer is yes. Natural foods may stain beeswax wrap, but this is purely cosmetic and won’t impact how well they work. In this post, we’ll explain why beeswax wrap stains, what you can do about it, and why it doesn’t affect their performance with some additional tips on keeping your wraps looking fresh.

Why Do Beeswax Wraps Stain?

Abeego is made from 100% natural materials and all-natural materials are prone to staining when in contact with brightly colored foods like beets, raspberries, and turmeric. These vibrant foods, prized worldwide for their rich pigments, have been used as natural dyes forever. 

At Abeego, synthetic chemicals are 100% off-limits so materials treated with harsh chemical repellents were a non-starter when Toni Desrosiers invented beeswax wrap. Abeego embraces the natural properties of beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil, hemp, and organic cotton to preserve the life of food and while that may mean occasional staining, it’s a small trade-off for keeping unhealthy chemicals out of your kitchen and off your food.

Do Stains Affect How My Beeswax Wrap Works?

Nope. The stains are purely cosmetic. Abeego wraps are designed to last about 150-200 uses or about a year, and a little color here or there won’t change how effectively your wrap keeps your fresh food. Beyond that a stained wrap is still a clean wrap. 

The way Toni thinks about it is each stain tells a story. “It reminds me of all the fresh, living food I’ve kept alive. I'd choose a natural stain over wrapping my produce in plastic any day. A few marks and stains along the way show your wrap is working hard to preserve your food and that’s what it’s all about in the end!” 

That said, if your wrap has gone through hundreds of uses and is no longer sticking or holding its shape, the problem isn’t the stain—it’s likely time to replace the wrap. Just like any reusable tool, your Abeego wrap will eventually wear out. 

Here are some foods that can stain Abeego (and plastic too!)

• Curry: Turmeric packs a staining punch! 
• Yellow Mustard: Same as above! 
• Avocado: This might surprise you but the peel of an avocado has been used to make very light peach shades to deep burgundy shades but Abeego is the BEST way to preserve avocado so you won’t mind the stain. 
• Tomato Sauce: Yes, tomato sauce will stain beeswax wrap, Tupperware and even your least prized plastic container. Remember Abeego is the queen of fresh food storage and it’s cool to use a different, less important container for leftovers.
• Red Peppers: A half cut pepper will leave a ring on beeswax wrap but once again the reward outweighs the risk.
• Unsaturated Fats & Oils: Peanut butter, mayo, salad dressing and all other oily condiments are not friends of beeswax wrap because beeswax is oleophilic. Oils will seep into your wrap so it’s best to use other methods with wrapping a sauce sandwich. Alternatively, wrap your sandwich but pack your sauce in a separate container until you sit down to eat.

Why Not Use Colorful Wraps to Hide Stains?

At Abeego, we like to keep things natural! That's why our wraps are neutral-colored, just like the peel you take off an orange. Colorful wraps might seem like they hide stains better, but they still stain—and they can also hide something worse: mold.

Mold can grow on beeswax wraps if they're used wrong, and colorful wraps might cover it up. But don’t worry! If you use your wraps correctly, mold shouldn’t be an issue. Here’s how to prevent it: 

• Use your food in the right order. Abeego keeps food fresh for a long time, but not forever. Make sure to eat the oldest food first, so you always have the freshest, most nutritious food.
• Watch out for mold in your fridge. While Abeego helps reduce mold in your fridge, plastic can trap moisture, which can cause mold to grow. Keep an eye on your produce drawer to make sure it stays mold-free.
• Wash with cold water. If you wash your wrap in hot water, the wax coating will wear off faster, and it’ll take longer to dry. Plus, it could grow mold.
• Dry your wrap completely. Don’t store it wet. Towel dry it if needed, because wet wraps without wax are more likely to mold.
• Replace worn-out wraps. Fresh wraps have a waxy coating that helps protect your food and prevent mold. If your wrap is worn out, it’s time for a new one!

How to Avoid Stains on Your Beeswax Wrap

If you prefer keeping your wraps looking pristine, here are some easy tips to prevent staining:

• Rinse After Use: Rinse with cold water immediately after using it to wrap deeply pigmented foods to reduce the chance of the pigments setting in.  
• Spot Clean: If you notice food debris on the wrap gently scrub the area with cold water and a soft cloth. Remember, hot water can melt the beeswax coating, so always stick to COLD water! 
• Avoid Direct Contact: For foods known to stain (think of foods that would also stain plastic) place them in a deep bowl and cover it rather than wrapping them directly.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your wraps looking cleaner for longer without sacrificing their function.

How to Clean Your Beeswax Wraps

Cleaning your beeswax wrap is as simple as hand washing a dinner plate:

1. Rinse or fully immerse in cold water. Never warm no matter what other beeswax wrap brands say. Warm water will wear away at the waxy formula and your wrap will be more prone to staining.
2. Use mild dish soap as needed and a soft cloth to scrub away food residue. If the wrap isn’t dirty, i.e. it covers a salad bowl for a few hours, you can wipe it and put away. 
3. Air dry your wraps or place them on a clean surface and towel dry them. Never put your wraps away wet to prevent mold and mildew. 

Pro Tip: Avoid hot water and scrubbing with anything abrasive, as this can wear down the Abeego formula, reducing the wrap’s longevity.

Beeswax Wrap Is Often Misunderstood

I hate to say it, but there’s a lot of bad information out there about beeswax wrap. This makes it tough for the whole category because, once wrong information spreads, it’s quickly picked up by people who don’t fully understand how beeswax wraps work. As the inventor of beeswax wrap, I feel responsible for clearing up these misconceptions when I see them.

One of the worst pieces of advice I’ve come across is recommending you wash beeswax wraps in lukewarm water. Only wash Abeego in COLD water.

When the wrap is cold, the wax is firm and stable, so you can scrub it with a cloth and clean off any spots. But if you use warm water, the wax will soften, and it’ll wear off much faster. So, remember—never use warm or hot water to wash your beeswax wrap! - Toni Desrosiers 

Time to Replace Your Wrap?

Embrace the natural stains because at the end of the day, stains are part of the journey with Abeego wraps. They’re a natural sign that your wrap has been used to store vibrant, healthy foods. 

While stains are harmless, if you’ve been using your Abeego wrap for a year or more and it’s losing its tackiness, it’s probably time to refresh. Every wrap has a lifespan, and after about 150-200 uses, your wrap may need to be replaced. If you’re noticing a drop in performance, like your cheese dries out too quickly, don’t hesitate to replace it. It’s the formula that keeps food fresh and you need the right amount in the wrap to be successful. 

Pro Tip: A worn-out wrap is more likely to stain, so keeping your wraps fresh and in good condition ensures stains are minimized and they continue to perform their best.

Ready to refresh your wraps? Shop Abeego now and bring home the Original Beeswax Wrap designed to keep food fresh naturally. If you’re new here the Abeego Foundation offers the building blocks to get you started on your journey to keep fresh food alive.

Looking for more tips for Keep Fresh Food Alive? Check out our top blog posts: How to Store Leafy Greens and How to Keep Cilantro Fresh for expert advice on food preservation.

Conclusion: Stains Are No Big Deal

Beeswax wraps stain, but it’s nothing to worry about. These natural marks are a sign of a well-loved, hardworking wrap. And as long as your wrap is still sticking and holding its shape, it’s doing its job. When the time comes, replace your wrap and keep enjoying the benefits of natural food preservation.

Want more tips on keeping fresh food longer? Sign up for the Abeego Newsletter for expert advice on keeping your fruit, vegetables, and even cheese alive longer—naturally.