Beeswax sheets, cloths, food wraps and bread bags: looking for plastic-free food storage can mean working through a small jungle of names. The good news is that most describe just two products. Here is the glossary.
The flat version: sheets, cloths and wraps
Bivokspapir is a common Norwegian name and the one used in our Norwegian guides. Bivoksark means a beeswax sheet and emphasises the individual piece: sets often contain three sheets. Bivoksduk is a cloth-based name, similar to the Swedish bivaxduk, also used in Norway. Wrap and beeswax wrap are the English terms often found in online shops. They describe the same type of product: cotton coated with beeswax, tree resin and sometimes jojoba oil, shaped with the warmth of your hands. Start with how to use beeswax wraps.
The bag: sewn for bread
A beeswax bag, also called a wax-lined bread bag or beeswax bread bag, is a sewn cotton and linen bag with a wax coating inside. While a sheet covers a bowl or a piece of cheese, the bag holds a whole loaf and closes with a clip. They are different tools for different jobs, and they work well together: read what is a beeswax bread bag?.
A quick glossary
| Name you may see | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bivokspapir | A flat sheet of waxed cotton | Bowls, cheese, fruit, packed lunches |
| Bivoksark | The same as a beeswax wrap | The same uses |
| Bivoksduk | The same product, with a cloth-based name | The same uses |
| Beeswax wrap | The English name for the same product | The same uses |
| Wax paper | Usually disposable paraffin-coated paper: see the separate guide | Separating food, packed lunches |
| Beeswax bag | A sewn bag with a wax lining | Bread and baked goods |
Why so many names?
The Nordic markets use different words: cloth-based names are common in Sweden and Denmark, while the Norwegian name often includes paper. Online shops also use English terms. If one name brings up few results, try another: there may be more choice than it first appears.
Frequently asked questions
Are beeswax cloths and beeswax wraps the same?
What is the difference between a beeswax sheet and a beeswax bag?
Are wax paper and beeswax wraps the same?
For food that stays out of the oven
Vokshus beeswax wraps are cotton wraps coated with beeswax and tree resin. See the product page for available sets, sizes and your local price.
See the beeswax wrap sets →- Reusable for around 12 months
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- Wash in cold water
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- Refresh the wax coating when needed