DIY Beeswax Wraps (Reusable Food Wraps)

Want to reduce plastic waste in your kitchen? Learn how to make homemade beeswax wraps to store food instead! They are reusable, non-toxic, biodegradable, and really easy to make.

After cleaning, you can use it time and time again, saving money for you and save energy for our planet.

Equipment:

• Fabric (100% cotton, linen or hemp – no synthetics)
• Scissors or pinking shears
• Beeswax gratings or shaved block beeswax
• Jojoba Oil
• Pine Resin
• Something to hang the wraps up to dry - such as a clothes hanger or twine and clothespins
• Parchment paper or tin foil
• Paint brush. To help spread the wax evenly across the fabric after it melts.
• Baking tray(s) and oven

Wax Preparation:

• Combine 125g beeswax, 40g pine resin, and 20g (20mL) organic jojoba oil in a water-bath double-boiler on the stovetop.
• Heat until melted and fully combined.

Wrap Preparation:

• Cut the fabric into desired shapes and sizes of your choice. (See common size suggestions in the notes below).
• Line baking tray(s) with baking paper or tin foil and lay fabric on top.
• Use a brush to apply an even coat of the melted mixture across the whole surface of the fabric.
• Place in oven until wax fully re-melts and soaks into fabric; approximately 5 minutes.
• Immediately hang to dry while still wet and pliable. If needed, place back in the oven to re-melt and then hang.
• Allow to fully dry, and then they are ready!

Suggested best sizes for beeswax wraps:

• Small 20 x 20cm: ideal for covering small items like the top of a mason jar, half an apple or avocado, or the cut end of a cucumber. 
• Medium 25 x 25cm: cover an average bowl, block of cheese, half a sandwich, or other small to medium vegetables like a partial head of cabbage
• Large 35 x 35cm: cover a full sandwich, half a modest watermelon, small baking dish or average pie pan, or a medium mixing bowl - such as a bowl or basket of proofing sourdough!
• Extra-large 40 x 40cm or greater: create an extra-large homemade beeswax wrap to cover large bowls and baking dishes, whole or partial loaves of bread, and more.

Cleaning Homemade Beeswax Wraps + Ongoing Care:

• Wash your homemade beeswax wraps with cold to lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Avoid using hot water since it can melt the wax.
• You can also wipe them down with a damp cloth.
• Allow the wraps to air dry and then store them in a cool, dry place.
• When fully dry, simply fold them up and tuck them in a kitchen drawer.

Homemade beeswax wraps should withstand several years of use. Once they become old, thin, and/or less sticky, it is easy to refresh them! Simply tuck the old wraps back in the warm oven with a small sprinkle of beeswax to provide a fresh new coating and lease on life. If they’re really old and beat up, you could simply compost them. Since they are made from 100% natural materials, beeswax wraps are biodegradable.

https://www.beewise.com.au/books-candles-vouchers-wraps/wraps.html