Handmade Beeswax Wraps

I made my first batch of beeswax food wraps last weekend and wanted to share my experience with you. I made some larger ones specifically for cover my sourdough proofing bowls and to store bread between meals. I also made a few smaller sizes for wrapping avocado halves, cut herbs and fruit, and for packaging snacks and sandwiches for adventures.

Why Beeswax Wraps?

Here’s what I recently learned about natural beeswax wraps that made me decide to make them:

• They significantly reduce plastic waste (1 wrap = 300 plastic uses)
• Once your wrap has reached the end of its life, it is 100% compostable and biodegradable (when made with the ingredients recommended in this post.)
• They are food safe AND have natural antibacterial properties, which means they keep your food fresher longer.
• Because they’re handmade, you get to choose prints that speak to you and sizes that you need. (I mean, you don't have to twist my arm to get me into my favorite fabric store! I could spend all day there.)

How Do They Work?

The wraps are pliable and breathable so they can be folded into shapes and pockets to hold small items like snacks and fruit, or molded around odd-shaped items and over the tops of bowls, cups, jars, etc. The combination of wax and resin is activated by the warmth of your hands as you're pressing on the wrap to fold/close/seal the edges. When the wrap cools again, is stiffens and holds in place.

Ready to make this step toward a more eco-friendly home and lifestyle?

You Will Need

100% cotton fabric (washed and dried)
18 tbspn beeswax (I prefer white pellets but yellow would work too)
14 tspn pine resin
7 tbsn jojoba oil

Supplies

clothesline and clothes pins
double boiler or large mason jar and a pot of boiling water
scissors or pinking shears
soft bristle brush or paint brush
parchment paper
baking sheets

(All items for this project and may of my other crafting projects can be found on my Amazon affiliate page under Homeschool & Crafting. 

To Make

1. Wash and dry 100% cotton fabric.
2. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.
3. Melt the three ingredients for about 20 minutes until fully translucent. I use a double boiler (putting the ingredients on the top pot and boiling water on the bottom pot,) but if you don't have one, a large mason jar set into boiling water will work as well; just keep a close eye that it doesn't tip.
4. While the ingredients are melting, cut your pre-washed cotton fabric into various sized squares (sizes of your choice that fit your intended uses) and place them on parchment covered baking sheets. You can use pinking shears to help prevent fraying, but I personally prefer straight and freyed edges (I love the more natural look), which work perfectly fine too.
5. Brush the melted wax on the fabric squares with a paint brush (make sure to cover all of the material but not oversaturate; you don't want puddles of wax setting on top) and place in the oven for 2 min.
6. Hang them to dry (20 minutes should do it.)

Recommended Sizes

I found that the 15"x15" works well for the large glass Pyrex bowls that I use for proofing my sourdough. The 10"x10" and 8"x8" work great for folding into pockets and envelopes for snacks and food items that have several small pieces. And the 6"x6" is perfect for wrapping an avocado half or half eaten apple.

Rinse. Roll. Repeat.

Care and storage is super easy! Hand wash in cold water with dish soap and air-dry. Roll them for easy storage. I keep mine in a wicker basket but a large mason jar or utensil jar would work well too.