Gransnet forums

AIBU

AIBU….to think that clingfilm has become too clingy?

(47 Posts)
BigTed Sun 29-May-22 18:45:28

My usual Sainsburys roll of clingfilm is so clingy that it clings to itself so badly that I struggle to unroll it ….. and the far end refuses to unroll at all. After several attempts, I gave up and bought a Tesco one. Although not as self-adhesive as the Sainsbury’s one, it still refuses to unroll fully ……
Having just spent 10 minutes trying with a pointed knife to prise the congealed end of roll apart, and stabbing myself in the thumb as a reward ….much blood demonstrating my heroic efforts …. I have given up.
I have many years of successful clingfilm unrolling to be proud of ….. but I am beaten ?

Grandmabatty Sun 29-May-22 19:11:46

It's a problem I have had in the past. I use Aldi plastic wrap and it doesn't seem to wrap around itself or tear.

BigTed Sun 29-May-22 19:43:51

Grandmabatty

It's a problem I have had in the past. I use Aldi plastic wrap and it doesn't seem to wrap around itself or tear.

Thanks! Yes me too till these new rolls ?
I’ve never had a problem with sainsburys or Tesco …. I’ll try Aldi! Thanks!

DillytheGardener Sun 29-May-22 19:53:00

Yes! I just bought a roll from Sainsbury’s and I thought I had a faulty one that had been rolled to tight. I will be calling their customer service line tomorrow. So frustrating, I take it out of the roll and carefully unhook what I need, but dh leaves it in a state, so it’s wasting so much plastic.

Grandmadinosaur Sun 29-May-22 20:24:07

I use one from M&S that I would recommend. Came across it during the very first lockdown when you couldn’t shop around as such. It has a perforated edge which is great no trouble with tearing or cutting it off. I also fold back a corner as you would with sellotape so it’s easy to find the end on the next use.

Kim19 Sun 29-May-22 20:34:22

I think they've made it so thin it's almost unmanageable.

Chewbacca Sun 29-May-22 20:51:45

Put the roll of cling film in the freezer for half an hour. It's far more manageable and tears evenly too.

Maggiemaybe Sun 29-May-22 20:53:03

I don’t use clingfilm these days - I’m cutting out single use plastic wherever I can. I use plates or dishes to cover food, and containers with lids. I was going to invest in some beeswax wraps, but have managed as above so far. I can’t say I’ve missed the constant battles I used to have with the stuff.

MayBee70 Sun 29-May-22 21:04:05

I’m trying to not use plastic but I can’t seem to stop using cling film. I bought some stretchy things that you are supposed to be able to put over containers when you’re heating things up in the microwave but they don’t work. I use it to cover paint tins etc as well. The last bit of a tube of moisturiser that I’ve cut open so I can use the very last drop. I do feel bad about it.

Pythagoras Sun 29-May-22 21:10:06

I'm with Maggiemaybe - I haven't used clingwrap in years and I don't miss it all. I use elasticised fabric bowl covers (made them myself); silicone lids (bought from Ikea) and I do also have beeswax wraps. When all else fails, I use foil (not often). For microwaving food, I have just float a paper towel on top of whatever it is I'm cooking or reheating. Works just as well.

When I cut moisturiser tubes open, I fold the half tube in half or squash it, so that it fits into the bit that I've cut off - in other words a make shift new "lid" and usually it is used up in a few days or a week at most, so it doesn't dry out.

Elizabeth27 Sun 29-May-22 21:32:17

I am usually ok with cling film but have real problems with the green food caddy bags. I have bought a couple of rolls that are not tie top and are impossible to open.

BigTed Mon 30-May-22 07:52:21

MayBee70

I’m trying to not use plastic but I can’t seem to stop using cling film. I bought some stretchy things that you are supposed to be able to put over containers when you’re heating things up in the microwave but they don’t work. I use it to cover paint tins etc as well. The last bit of a tube of moisturiser that I’ve cut open so I can use the very last drop. I do feel bad about it.

Me too, MayBee70 ….I bought a set of those silicone stretchy lids to use for fridge storage …. for leftovers and the like…….but they don’t cling to anything!

H1954 Mon 30-May-22 08:00:43

Maggiemaybe

I don’t use clingfilm these days - I’m cutting out single use plastic wherever I can. I use plates or dishes to cover food, and containers with lids. I was going to invest in some beeswax wraps, but have managed as above so far. I can’t say I’ve missed the constant battles I used to have with the stuff.

Beeswax wraps are brilliant, we use one for our cheese when the packet it opened, amongst other things. I made my own wraps and they are really easy to make, thanks to Mr Google!

Cling film seems to be flimsier than it used to be and I do try not to use it very much, actually getting some off our current roll is a two man operation just now ?‍♀️

Franbern Mon 30-May-22 08:15:40

I am one of those who are trying to stop the use of single use plastic - so never need cling film now. I have lovely Beeswax wraps for when I need to take some sandwiches, etc for a picnic lunch. Use washable tops for bowls in fridge, and different size covers. Have a cover for items in Microwave. Little bit of outlay expense, but - in the long run (and I have been doing this now for about three year) it proves cheaper and much better and cutting back on all that plastic makes me feel better.

JackyB Mon 30-May-22 09:29:41

I am cutting back on plastic, but I bought a couple of those covers for yoghurt pots and such made of silicone. They collect condensation and the contents go mouldy much quicker than if I didn't cover them at all. My DiLs have loads of those beeswax cloths, but I don't like them. Not being able to wash them in hot water, I find them unhygienic.

I only use cling film rarely, and the German cling film is useless - it doesn't 'cling' at all. The best kind is Bacofoil, which I get in the UK. I bought two rolls when I was last over, just before the pandemic started, and am still using them. The foil is perfect, and the dispenser is brilliant.

Kate1949 Mon 30-May-22 09:41:57

Do you push the tabs in at the side of the box?

mrsgreenfingers56 Mon 30-May-22 09:50:11

Cling film oh the stuff used to drive me nuts!

Having heard how bad it is for the plastic content I decided to do a Blue Peter afternoon and made some beeswax wrappers myself and problem solved! You can buy the wrappers and quite expensive but my own have been great and enjoyed making them. Go onto You tube or crafting sites and they give you all the instructions.

Baggs Mon 30-May-22 10:13:36

I have found that a Lakeland clingfilm dispenser and their rolls that fit in it make my life a lot easier.

Chestnut Mon 30-May-22 10:33:26

If you are going to use clingfilm then a dispenser is the answer. This one from Lakeland is expensive but will last.
Lakeland refillable dispenser
They also do this one which is brilliant and the film is excellent too. I bought this by accident and then realised the dispenser is disposable! That's very unfriendly for the environment and I wouldn't get it again
Lakeland disposable dispenser

Franbern Mon 30-May-22 11:16:55

Not sure how beeswax wrappers can be unhygenic. The only thing I ever use them for are sandwiches, made-up begals, etc. So, when I get back home just give them a good soak in cold water, and they are perfectly clean and ready for re-use. I love them, find them so easy (and ethical) to use. Never thought about making my own. Might give that a go sometime.

Never covered a yoghurt pot. So cannot make any comment about that - however, using non-plastic re-usable covers in 'fridge for pasta, salad, rice, second servings of meals, etc. etc. has always been very sucessful.

Spice101 Tue 31-May-22 07:54:02

The cling film I use has a slide cutter on the box which makes it really easy to use.

Don't know if it is available in UK yet but there is now a fully compostable cling film made from potato waste. It breaks down in your compost in no more than 180 days and adds no nasties to the earth.

Oopsadaisy1 Tue 31-May-22 07:57:56

Easy solution.

Stop buying single use plastic.

Silicone lids, plates, make some covers, use foil then recycle it.

Anything but clingfilm.

Aepgirl Tue 31-May-22 12:51:43

I think it’s all because it has less plastic in it now - goodness knows what it’s made from, but it certainly puts up a fight when trying to get it out of the box. Also I have found that the box is less robust and bends in the middle

kazzer Tue 31-May-22 12:57:50

Thought I was the only one! Packaging a nightmare too!

nadateturbe Tue 31-May-22 13:11:35

I keep it in the fridge.