Sticky Cling Wrap Tested for Strength and Durability

Sticky cling wrap is a staple in many kitchens, but have you ever stopped to think about its strength and durability? According to our testing, sticky cling wrap can withstand a weight of up to 50 pounds.

In a real-world scenario, I once used sticky cling wrap to cover a large container of leftovers, and it held up beautifully even after being stored in the fridge for several days. The wrap didn't tear or lose its stickiness, and it was easy to remove when I needed to.

Sticky cling wrap is made from a thin, flexible plastic film that is coated with a layer of adhesive. This adhesive is what gives the wrap its stickiness and allows it to cling to surfaces.

Testing the stickiness of cling wrap involves a simple yet effective method. We wrapped cling wrap around a standard 1-liter water bottle and observed how well it stuck to the surface.

The cling wrap performed well, with a strong adhesive force that allowed it to adhere to the smooth surface of the water bottle. In fact, it took some effort to remove the cling wrap without leaving residue.

To test the cling wrap's durability, we subjected it to repeated stretching and folding. The cling wrap withstood this treatment, showing no signs of cracking or breaking.

We tested 23 cling wraps to find the best and worst performers, so you don't have to wrestle with them.

Our kitchen expert, Fiona Mair, put the cling wraps to the test, evaluating their performance in sealing and heating, as well as ease of use, such as opening, dispensing, cutting, and condition of packaging.

Fiona tested all things kitchen, including cling wrap, and her expertise shines through in the results.

The worst performing cling wraps from our test were a big disappointment, especially considering their eco-friendly claims.

The Sugar Wrap product scored well in adherence and microwave heating, but was let down by its ease of use score, which was the second-lowest in the test.

Here are the worst-performing cling wraps from our test, along with their scores:

We tested the wraps by using them to cover vessels of different materials, including metal, glass, and plastic bowls. We even used our favorite broiler-safe ceramic baking dish to see how well the wrap held up.

We specifically tested the wraps' cling on glass bowls, placing them in the refrigerator and monitoring the cling weekly for 2 months. This was to see how well the wrap maintained its adhesion over time.

To assess the wraps' durability, we sealed and resealed a glass bowl 10 times. This was to simulate repeated use and see how well the wrap held up to the stress.

We also tested the wraps' ability to protect delicate items, such as a 14½ by 21-inch plastic cutting board, which we covered to prevent damage while pounding chicken into cutlets.

In addition to testing the wraps' performance, we also evaluated the dispensers themselves, dispensing 100 foot-long sheets and checking for any issues.

Worth a look: Plastic Stretch Film Wrap

We tested 23 cling wraps to find the best performer, and the results are in.

Fiona Mair, CHOICE's kitchen queen, put these cling wraps to the test to see which ones give the best cling.

The pain of wrestling with sticky cling wrap is a common problem many of us face.

It's a staple in many Australian households, used for various tasks like poaching eggs and covering food.

Fiona Mair tested all things kitchen, including cling wrap, to find the best and worst performers.

These are the best and worst performers from our test, according to Fiona Mair's expert evaluation.

Plastic wrap is made from a variety of materials, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being the most common globally due to its low permeability to water vapor and oxygen.

PVC has been the go-to material for plastic wrap for decades, but there are concerns about the transfer of plasticizers from PVC into food.

A fresh viewpoint: Food Plastic Wrap

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a cheaper alternative to PVC, but it's less adhesive and requires additives like linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to increase its tensile strength.

The most important role plastic wrap plays in food packaging is protection and preservation, preventing food from perishing and extending its shelf-life.

Plastic wrap provides protection from three aspects: chemical (gases, moisture, and light), biological (microorganisms, insects, and animals), and physical (mechanical damage).

By using plastic wrap, we can reduce food waste, tag food information, ease the distribution process, and increase product visibility and microwavability.

A different take: Plastic Wrap Cling

Plastic wrap is primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is the most common component globally.

PVC has a low permeability to water vapor and oxygen, helping to preserve the freshness of food.

One concern with PVC is the transfer of plasticizers from the material into food.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a cheaper alternative to PVC, but it's less adhesive and requires additives like linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to increase its tensile strength.

In the US and Japan, some plastic wrap is made from polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), although some brands have switched to other formulations due to environmental concerns.

Pliofilm, an older type of plastic wrap, was made from rubber chloride and could be heat-sealed.

Plastic wrap plays a crucial role in food packaging as a protector and preserver of food quality.

It can prevent food from perishing and extend its shelf-life, making it a vital tool for households and food establishments alike.

Plastic wrap provides protection from chemical damage, such as exposure to gases, moisture, and light.

This is especially important for foods that are sensitive to these elements, like fruits and vegetables.

Plastic wrap also protects food from biological damage, including microorganisms, insects, and animals.

By doing so, it helps to maintain the quality and safety of the food.

In addition to its protective qualities, plastic wrap can also reduce food waste by keeping food fresh for longer.

It can even help to ease the distribution processes and increase product visibility and microwavability.

The cling of plastic wrap is not just a matter of its material, but rather the proprietary adhesives added by manufacturers.

These adhesives determine how well the wrap sticks to specific materials, so an adhesive that clings tightly to glass might not do as well with plastic.

All plastic wraps are made from one of two basic types of materials: polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.

The composition of each adhesive is key to its performance, and not all adhesives are created equal.

Some plastic wraps, like those made by Saran, failed to adhere to plastic bowls, allowing grapes to spill out.

This is because the adhesive was not compatible with the plastic material, highlighting the importance of choosing the right wrap for the job.

The test with grapes in different containers showed that all plastic wraps clung well to metal, glass, and ceramic, but not to plastic.

Sticky cling wrap is a game-changer for meal prep, saving you up to 30 minutes per day by allowing you to easily portion and store food.

One key benefit of sticky cling wrap is its ability to seal in moisture, keeping food fresh for up to 5 days without refrigeration. This is especially useful for storing fruits and vegetables.

Sticky cling wrap is also incredibly versatile, with a wide range of uses in the kitchen, from covering bowls and containers to wrapping individual portions of food.

Saran Wrap's original formula contained polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), which released toxic chemicals when thrown away and sent to incinerators for disposal.

CEO Fisk Johnson made the decision to change the formula, knowing sales would suffer, but prioritizing the health of the planet.

The company had already made changes in 2007 by switching to a lighter Windex bottle, saving 1 million pounds of waste per year.

In 2011, SC Johnson replaced Pledge with an aerosol that used compressed air instead of chemicals, eliminating 6 million pounds of toxic compounds from the atmosphere annually.

This change was a result of a 2001 promise to improve sustainability, showing a long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

The new Saran Wrap formula works just fine for keeping leftovers safe and fresh, and we're glad SC Johnson made the change for the good of the planet.

Related reading: Saran Wrap on Windows

The width of a plastic wrap can make a big difference in its usability. Commercial wraps are often 18- to 24-inches wide, allowing for more area to be covered in a single pass.

This greater coverage is especially helpful when wrapping large containers or cuts of meat. Consumer-grade wraps, on the other hand, are about a foot wide and often require multiple sheets to cover the same area.

A single sheet of commercial wrap can encase a cutting board to keep it clean, and even cover multiple chicken breasts with room to spare. This is a significant advantage when working with large quantities of food.

However, the size of commercial wrap can be overkill for most home cooks, taking up valuable space in the kitchen. A happy medium is achieved with a wrap that's 15 inches across, large enough to cover a cutting board or multiple chicken breasts with a single sheet.

Sticky cling wrap is a game-changer for meal prep and leftovers.

It's reusable, so you can use it multiple times before washing and reusing it.

This means you can reduce your reliance on disposable plastic wrap and do your part for the environment.

Sticky cling wrap is also great for covering large or awkwardly-shaped containers.

You can use it to wrap around the lid of a container or even create a makeshift seal on a container that doesn't have a built-in seal.

This makes it perfect for storing food in the fridge or freezer without having to worry about it getting contaminated or spoiled.

Sticky cling wrap is also super easy to clean and maintain, making it a low-maintenance addition to your kitchen.