How To Make Beeswax Wraps (It’s Super Easy!)

Beeswax wraps are an amazing eco-friendly alternative to using plastic wrap, but buying them can get a little expensive. Did you know that you can make your own reusable beeswax wraps right at home? You can, and it’s not very difficult to do either. Keep reading to learn how you can make beeswax wraps at home.

What are Beeswax Wraps?

If you haven’t heard of beeswax wraps before they are just pieces of fabric that have been covered with beeswax. These wraps can be used over and over again and may last as long as 8 to 12 months if they are properly cared for. You can use beeswax wraps to cover fruit, jars, food containers, and cheese. You can even fold them into a pouch to carry a snack on the go. They are meant to be a replacement for plastic wraps, plastic baggies, and aluminium foil. 

If you didn’t know what a beeswax wrap was, you may also be wondering how to use and care for them. It is really simple! Just take an appropriately sized beeswax wrap for the container that you need to cover and rub it gently in your hands. The warmth from your hands will soften the wax so that it adheres to your container. Now place the wrap over your container and use your hands to shape it so that the container is covered and a slight seal is formed. 

When you are ready to open the container simply peel your beeswax wrap off. Wash your wrap in cool water, not hot or the wax will melt, and allow to air dry. Once it is dry the wrap is ready to be used again. Most beeswax wraps can be used 80 to 100 times before they stop working. Pretty amazing isn’t it? 

Beeswax wraps are a sustainable alternative to using these other often single-use products. You can find multiple ways to use them in your kitchen and around the house at home, and they also make excellent gifts!

Find more simple eco-friendly kitchen swaps here to head start your eco-friendly zero-waste lifestyle.

How to Make Beeswax Wraps

So now let’s talk about how you can make your own beeswax wraps at home. First, you will need to gather a few ingredients. 

Materials Needed

Beeswax

Fabric (can be any kind but cotton, hemp, and linen work best) 

Scissors (Pinking shears will prevent fraying)

Double Boiler ( A saucepan with a bowl on top works too)

30 ml of beeswax

20 ml of jojoba oil

12.5 ml food grade pine resin

Mixing spoon

Painting sponge

Cooling rack

Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Measuring tape or ruler

Method

After gathering your ingredients set your oven to 150 C. Before beginning make sure that your fabric has been washed and dried. 

Now you are ready to measure the fabric to make sure that it will fit the container you would like to cover. Now you are ready to cut your fabric with the pinking shears, again regular scissors will work but using pinking shears will prevent fraying. 

Put water in your saucepan and put a bowl on top of it. Put your beeswax, jojoba oil, and pine resin inside of your bowl. Let these ingredients melt together for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

When the mixture is ready, place your first piece of fabric on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Take your painting sponge and dip it into the beeswax mixture and lightly coat both sides of the fabric with it. Be careful not to oversaturate your fabric.

Once both sides of the fabric are coated, place the baking sheet into your oven for two minutes. After the two minutes have passed, take your baking sheet back out of the oven and use your painting sponge to redistribute the beeswax mixture to any dry looking areas. You will be able to tell where the mixture is and isn’t. 

Carefully move your wrap from the parchment paper to your cooling rack. You should be able to take it off the rack and drape it over the back of a chair to finish drying in about ten minutes. 

Now let’s talk about a few homemade beeswax wraps frequently asked questions and tips for making them. 

Do I need to wash the fabric before using it? 

Yes, since the beeswax wraps will be touching food, it is highly recommended that the fabric be washed and dried before making the wraps. 

Can I use a different type of oil? 

Some people use coconut oil instead of jojoba oil, but coconut oil can leave a residue on the containers that jojoba oil does not. 

Can I use a different type of resin or none at all? 

You can use a different type or none at all, but if you don’t use any resin your wraps will lack the characteristic stickiness of commercially available beeswax wraps. You may also need a rubber band to keep your wrap firmly in place. 

What do I do if my wrap has too much wax or is too sticky?

Simply place the wrap back on your parchment-lined baking sheet and put it back in the oven for another two minutes. When the two minutes are up, use your paint sponge to carefully dab up the excess. 

Can beeswax wraps be used in the microwave? 

No, the heat from the microwave will cause the beeswax to melt and come off of your fabric. 

Beeswax wrap is too hard, how can I fix it? 

If your wrap is too hard try warming the wrap in your hand to make it more pliable. If this happens repeatedly you may have too much wax and not enough oil on your fabric. You may need to put it back in the oven at 150 C for two minutes and add a little more oil to the wrap. 

Can you freeze beeswax wraps?

Yes, you can. They freeze very well. 

Where should I store my beeswax wraps?

In a cool place, like a kitchen drawer or in a basket in your pantry. 

Do beeswax wraps change the taste of the food?

The beeswax wraps do have a distinct, but very slight odour of beeswax, but it does not alter the taste of the food in any way. 

Are there any foods that you can not use beeswax wraps on?

Since you can’t wash the wraps in hot water, you should not use the wraps on any type of uncooked meat. 

Is it safe to use beeswax wraps on food? 

Yes, beeswax wraps are absolutely food safe. The beeswax is antimicrobial which keeps your food safe. Some cheeses are even coated in beeswax to protect them. 

Are you ready to try your hand at making homemade beeswax wraps? As you can see the process is very simple, and not only will you be saving yourself money by not having to buy plastic wraps and aluminium foils, it will also reduce your waste, and help to make your household more eco-friendly. 

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