How to Make Reusable Beeswax Wraps
Plastic use in the kitchen can get out of hand quickly if not careful. With so many single-use plastics being consumed, switching to a plastic wrap alternative can make a big difference. One of the easiest changes you can make is to start using reusable beeswax wraps. I will show you the DIY version here, but store-bought beeswax wraps are easy to find.
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What is reusable beeswax wrap?
Beeswax food wraps are squares of cotton fabric coated in a blend of beeswax that are used for food storage. They are all-natural and can be reused for a very long time. These homemade beeswax wraps are a great way to cut down on plastic waste. Reusable wraps are an excellent replacement for plastic bags and single-use plastic cling wraps like cellophane. In this blog post, I am going to show you how to make your own beeswax wraps. These are a great way to use up extra fabric and make excellent gifts!
Video Tutorial
What is a Beeswax Bar?
A beeswax bar is a pre-mixed blend of beeswax, jojoba oil, tree resin (usually pine rosin), and coconut oil. This mix of waxes, resins, and oils provides just the right amount of stickiness and flexibility required for reusable food wraps. I used the DIY Beeswax Wrap from Essential Living (formally the Beeswax Bar from Kentucky Home Brands). Using pure beeswax will result in a wrap that is cracking and flaking, rather than sticky and pliable.
How to Make DIY Beeswax Wraps
Supplies Needed
- Glass Jar
- Cotton Fabric
- Beeswax Bar
- Pinking Shears or Scalloped Rotary Blade
- Paintbrush
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Wax Paper
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. Cut the Fabric
Using pinking shears or a scalloped rotary blade, cut your clean, cotton fabric to the desired size.
2. Melt the Beeswax Blend
Place the beeswax bar in a glass mason jar and then place the jar in a small pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with water to create a double boiler. Heat over medium-high heat until the wax is melted.
3. Apply the Beeswax to the Fabric
Cover a baking sheet in aluminum foil or a sheet of parchment paper. Lay the fabric squares on the baking sheet. Using a new, clean paintbrush, brush a layer of beeswax onto the fabric squares. Make sure to brush the beeswax to the edges of the wrap.
Note: The wax will likely cool quickly and form a thick layer on one side of the fabric, rather than soaking through the fabric. That is perfectly ok and will be fixed when heated in the oven.
Move the baking sheets and wax wraps to an oven preheated to 250 degrees to continue melting and evenly distribute the wax blend and soak through the fabric. This should only take a few minutes.
4. Let Dry
Carefully peel the warm wraps from the baking sheet. Hang the beeswax wraps to cool and dry before using.
What kind of fabric should I use?
Cotton fabric is best for making a reusable beeswax food wrap. Also, thinner cotton fabric is preferred to thicker fabric, as it will be easier to fully saturate the fabric with the melted beeswax blend.
How to Use Reusable Beeswax Wraps
The best way to use your wrap, especially for the first time, is to crumple it up and then uncrumple it. It’s the combination of the crumbling and the warmth of your hands that activates the beeswax mixture and allows it to become sticky and pliable.
What Size Wraps Should I Make?
I would suggesting making a variety of sizes to accomodate several different uses. Smaller wraps can be used to cover half an apple or avocado or folded into a snack bag. Medium-sized wraps are perfect for wrapping up a sandwich or covering a small bowl. Larger wraps can be used to cover big bowls or to wrap up a loaf of bread.
- Small Wrap: 7″ – 8″
- Medium Wrap: 10″ – 11″
- Large Wrap: 13″ – 14″
How to Clean Beeswax Wraps
Care instructions for your wraps:
To wash your beeswax wraps, clean them with cold water and mild dish soap. Let hang to air dry completely.
Beeswax is naturally antibacterial so you don’t have to worry about these wraps getting funky over time. However, I would not suggest using these wraps with foods like raw meat as they can not be disinfected with soap and hot water.
How to Make Your Own Beeswax Blend
If you would rather make your beeswax blend there are many recipes available. I found this recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs to be excellent and most comparable to the pre-blended bar that I used. Bonus: she also has a vegan version that uses carnauba wax instead of beeswax!
Have I convinced you to make the switch to beeswax wraps yet? Invite over some friends and throw a beeswax wrap party. These beeswax wraps are such a fun way to use up extra fabric and help the environment at once.
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