Oilcloths are practical and, above all, environmentally friendly, but you probably already know that. And whether you make the oilcloth yourself or prefer to buy a ready-made oilcloth and work with it, the way it can be used afterwards is probably more versatile than you might have thought. Because the cloths can be folded wonderfully and are also slightly sticky, they are really practical helpers for around the house and for on the go. Today we would like to show you why you can use the useful oilcloth for food. And if you haven't already equipped yourself with an adequate amount of oilcloths, you will definitely do so afterward.
Oilcloth for food as a replacement for lids
You probably collect mason jars regularly because they are simply practical and, above all, environmentally and health-friendly. But just as socks often disappear in the washing machine, sometimes the lids also seem to disappear into thin air. Instead of throwing away the lidless jars, you can simply close them with an oilcloth instead. This works really well and is in no way inferior to the normal lid.
The same also applies to bowls, bowls and bottles. All of them can be covered with the food oilcloth to keep the products inside fresh. Didn't manage your dinner? Cover the bowl or plate with a cloth and put it in the refrigerator to eat the next day. Or did the cork crumble while pulling the cork? Even then you can use a small oilcloth to help.
Even if you spend time outdoors and want to temporarily cover the bottles or other containers, oilcloths provide you with quick and practical lids. If the cloth doesn't stick well enough, you can also wrap an elastic band around it.
Keep halved fruits fresh
TheRecipe you are currently trying, calls for half a lemon or lime. But what should you do with the other half? The oilcloth will come to your rescue again because you can store any fruits and vegetables in it. Smaller oilcloths are best suited for this purpose. Simply place the fruit on the cloth and crumple it up. This proves once again that it is an advantage to equip yourself with several oilcloths in different sizes. The advantage over cling film is, of course, that the cloth is better for the environment and that it sticks better.
Wrapigami for a small box
The word “wrapigami” is a combination of “beeswax wraps” and “origami” and means that the wax wraps can be folded into any shapes and shapes that you can then use in practice. For example, a great idea is to fold a small box from a food oilcloth in which you can store food. This is particularly practical when you're on the go if you want to quickly store fruit, biscuits or other small things but don't have a box with you or want to save space and weight in your luggage.
Such a box is also very practical for the refrigerator. You can either make a real box as shown in the instructions or you can just roughly form a kind of bowl to keep round foods from rolling away. Both versions are relatively quick to make and are guaranteed to serve you well.
Fold a bag out of oilcloth for groceries
A bag like this is just as practical as a box and you can make it even faster. Depending on the size, you can store nuts, berries and other snacks in it. What is also particularly practical is that such a bag can be closed in no time so that nothing spills in your handbag or backpack.
For another type of bag, see the instructions below. For this variant, first completely unfold the oilcloth for food. Then fold the bottom side up, leaving about an inch border at the top. Fold the two sides inwards twice and the oilcloth bag is ready. You can fold the longer upper side down as desired to close the bag.
If you feel like it, you can also add a button and string to the bag to make it even more secure. The lunch bag can then be tied up, which is the ideal option for sandwiches for school or work. Since the cloth is also waterproof, nothing can leak during the day. Nevertheless, the oilcloth bag should then stand upright if possible or be stored in a lunch box.
Keep pastries fresh
Most bakeries use paper to package bread and other goodies, which is much better than plastic packaging. But you can avoid waste completely if you simply take oilcloths with you and ask the seller to simply wrap the pastries you bought in them. Even at home, you can wrap the bread in oilcloth for food after each use and keep it fresh for a long time. And it takes up a lot less space than a bread bin.
Wrap soaps when traveling
Not only is the oilcloth great, but it can also be used for other purposes. Soap, for example, can be wonderfully wrapped with a cloth like this, which also takes up less space than a soap box and is more environmentally friendly than plastic bags. The great thing is that even wet soaps can be packaged this way and thanks to the self-adhesive oilcloth they are completely insulated and cannot dirty your bag. The same applies to shampoo bottles, which often open in your bag and leak.
Use oilcloths for playing cards
The cardboard sleeves in which playing cards are usually sold quickly begin to tear and fall apart. You can still keep the cards together and store them properly by simply wrapping them with food grade oilcloth. The cloths are much more durable than the paper boxes, can be used over and over again and can even withstand wild children's games.
Wrap bouquet
Regardless of whether you make the oilcloth or buy it ready-made, the fact is that it can be found in a wide variety of designs with great patterns and colors. Would you have had the idea to give away a bouquet of flowers in an oilcloth for food instead of foil? A great idea, isn't it? If you want to buy a bouquet of flowers for someone (or make one yourself from the garden), simply take the cloth you chose to the florist and ask them to use the cloth instead of foil. The bouquet is guaranteed to look even better with the cloth. This means you won't just be happy with the bouquet. The oilcloth also serves as a gift and can be reused by the recipient.
Use to open jars
Until now, you've probably always used a tea towel to open a tightly closed jar or asked your strong man for help. The sticky properties of the oilcloth are perfect when the lid gets on your last nerve again. Try it next time! You will be amazed at how easy the jar is to open.
Make your own straw
Maybe that wouldn't be the best idea for at home, since there are now great reusable straws made of metal or bamboo. But if you happen to need one spontaneously and don't have one at home or are on the go, you can simply roll up a very small oilcloth for food and use it. This is also very practical for a picnic. So it's best to always pack a cloth in your bag before you leave the house.
Use as a funnel
Don't have a funnel but need one right now? Or has yours disappeared again and now you have to think of something else? As you can imagine, you can use an oilcloth for food by simply rolling it up like you would a sheet of paper. This way you can easily put any dry food such as nuts, flour, sugar or similar into a container without spilling anything. You should first carefully try out whether this also works with liquids.
Lay out the refrigerator
The fridge shouldcleaned regularlyas you know. But between basic cleaning, the glass plates constantly become dirty and therefore need to be additionally wiped down in the meantime. But not if you line them with oilcloths. In addition to making the inside of the refrigerator beautifully colorful, they protect the glass plates from dirt because the cloths stick firmly to the surface and are waterproof. In addition, the cloths can be removed quickly and cleaned more easily than the large glass plates.
A quick bowl
Like a box, you can also make a quicker container on the go by using your cupped hand to form a bowl. Just find out for yourself what the better technology is for you. You can store random things if you have forgotten bowls and bowls for your camping trip or use the oilcloth as an improvised water bowl to provide your dog with water on longer walks. And all without wasting valuable space in your backpack.
Depending on how you want to use the oilcloth, there are different ways to make the whole thing easier:
- For theWrapping food, place the cloth folded out in front of you with the back facing upwards. Place the product in the center. If you wish, fold the corners inwards and over the product, form a ball or press all the corners upwards into a corner, creating a kind of teardrop shape.
- For theCovering containerssuch as bowls, bottles or glasses, simply place the cloth over the container. The cloth should be larger than the diameter of the container. Now fold the protruding edges down and press them onto the side of the container. Take your time, as the warmth of your hands must first soften the cloth. If you want it to be quicker, simply tie a rubber band around it.
Danger!The oilcloths arenotSuitable for storing raw meat.
- WashOnly wash the cloth with cold water and a mild organic dishwasher. As long as the oilcloth has not been contaminated with oil or grease, a dishwasher is not necessary.
- Keep the wax cloths away from heat and alcohol, as both will dissolve or melt the wax.
- Oilcloths are antibacterial and can be used again and again for a period of one to two years. However, it is only necessary to replace it if you notice that the cloth is no longer as waterproof as before or that the wax has crumbled off in some places. Then either buy new oilcloths or freshen them up with new beeswax, likeexplained in the instructions.
