DIY Beeswax Wraps – Naturally Sticky

Learn how to make your own eco friendly, reusable DIY beeswax wraps at home that actually work. They’re biodegradable, non-toxic and easy. A great choice for the plastic free home.

Plastic is one of the most commonly things thrown away in your home. From sandwich bags to food and product packaging, we are continuously loading our trash cans up with it. I’ve always had a guilt conscience thinking about the stuff that I throw away on a daily basis in my home that will not break down in a landfill.

But did you know you can make make a difference by replacing things in your home little by little? You can start by making your very own affordable and reusable cling wrap. Yes, ditch that toxic plastic cling wrap and help eliminate one time use plastics in your kitchen.

Cue beeswax wrap. It’s eco friendly, biodegradable and can be made so easily at home. All of the ingredients used to make it are natural so no strange toxic chemicals coming in contact with your food. Did I mention it’s super affordable to make? Making your own beeswax wraps is a great option for the frugal home as well.

What are Beeswax Wraps?

Beeswax wrap is a natural and easy cling wrap replacement type of food storage. It can be folded up in crafty ways to use for lunch items such as sandwiches and cut fruit or it can be molded around whole foods such as cheese using the warmth of your hands.

The benefit of using beeswax wraps as food storage is they are less likely to let the food rot. Since they are breathable, they allow the food to last longer. Beeswax also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties making it the best option.

What’s are Beeswax Wraps Made Out Of?

Beeswax wraps are typically made out of cotton fabric and beeswax, but I have decided to add the pine rosin and jojoba oil to improve the stickiness and texture of these wraps.

When choosing a beeswax, make sure to source it well since it will be coming in contact with your food. I ordered this bag of Organic Beeswax Pellets from Amazon. They’re perfect for having on hand for body care and natural kitchen items such as my Natural Wood Butter and these wraps.

Pine Rosin and jojoba oil can also be found on Amazon or Etsy.

How to Make Sticky Beeswax Wraps

Step One – Start out by choosing your fabric and giving it a good wash and ironing. Next you will choose your fabric sizes and cut accordingly. I used a little over half a yard of fabric for these in varying sizes. It makes sense to cut these in sizes according to what you would use them the most for. Common Beeswax wrap sizes are 8×7, 10×11, and 13×14.

Step Two – In a double broiler on the stove, add 1 cup of beeswax pellets, 5 tablespoons of pine rosin, and 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil. Melt all of this down until it forms into a liquid. Stir it together well to fully incorporate.

Step Three – Next, lay your cut fabric out on top of parchment paper. Then, using a paintbrush, spread the liquified wax mixture over fabric as evenly as possible. Make sure to use a paintbrush that you can throw away. It will get pretty caked with the wax mixture.

Don’t worry if you can’t spread it perfectly even. It tends to dry quick and we fix this in step five. Some people simply sprinkle the ingredients over the wraps and iron on, but I found this to be the most effective way of coating the mixture evenly over the fabric. You also won’t need to coat both sides. When we iron in step four, the coating will seep through the fabric, sealing both sides.

Step Four – Now, sandwich the fabric between two pieces of parchment paper and using a clothes iron, iron the fabric using the parchment paper as a barrier. Smooth the wax mixture out evenly over the fabric with the iron. Any excess will be ironed off onto the parchment paper.

Step Five – Hang the bees wax up to fully dry. Some people use a clothes line setup with clothes pins. Another way to do it is with a wire coat hanger and clothes pins.

How To Refresh Beeswax Wraps

One of the benefits of using these beeswax wraps is that you can revive them once they start to lose their stickiness. Isn’t that so nice? No throwing them away. No going out to buy more fabric and setting up the double broiler again.

And much more convenient than having to go to the grocery to buy more like you would have to do with cling wrap.

To revive the beeswax wraps, simply sprinkle some beeswax pellets and rosin over the wraps and iron the fabric between two pieces of parchment paper until the wax and rosin are evenly distributed.

How to Wash Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are very simple to wash. Use lukewarm water, a sponge, and a natural dish soap like this recipe I have here. Give the beeswax wraps a good scrub and then rise them off when done. Just make sure not to use hot water. It can melt the wax off. We want to preserve the wax coating as long as possible.

How Long Do DIY Beeswax Wraps Last?

DIY Beeswax wraps, if properly taken care of, can last up to a year. You’ll know the wraps are at the end of their life when they starts to look thin and worn. When they are ready to be thrown out, they can be easily composted.

I hope you enjoy using these natural plastic alternatives in your kitchen. I always feel so much better knowing I’m creating less waste while not letting chemicals come in contact with my food.

Happy Crafting!