Beeswax Wraps

Making your own beeswax wraps is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. Beeswax wraps are reusable, easy to make, and can help reduce waste in your kitchen. Here's a basic recipe for making your own beeswax wraps:

Materials:

• 100% cotton fabric, like muslin or cheesecloth (choose fun patterns if desired)
• Beeswax chopped or grated
• Pine resin (optional, for added stickiness)
• Jojoba oil or coconut oil (for flexibility, optional)
• Pinking shears or fabric scissors
• Baking parchment paper
• An old paintbrush or a new one designated for this purpose
• An oven or an iron

Instructions:

1. Choose and Cut Your Fabric:

   • Select 100% cotton fabric in the size you want for your wraps. Common sizes are 20x20 cm or 30x30 cm, but you can customize to your preference.
   • Use pinking shears or fabric scissors to cut the fabric into your desired sizes and shapes. Pinking shears help prevent fraying.

2. Prepare Your Work Area:

   • Cover your work surface with parchment paper to protect it from beeswax spills.

3. Melt the Beeswax:

   • Preheat your oven to around 85°C.
   • Spread out a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
   • Sprinkle a layer of beeswax finely chopped or grated beeswax evenly over one side of the fabric. You can also add a small amount of pine resin for extra stickiness and a little jojoba oil or coconut oil for flexibility.
   • Place the fabric, wax-side up, on the baking sheet.

4. Baking Method:

   • Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes or until the wax is fully melted. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
   • Remove the fabric from the oven while the wax is still liquid.

5. Spreading the Wax:

   • Quickly, while the wax is still melted, use an old paintbrush to spread the wax evenly over the fabric, making sure to cover the entire surface. Work quickly as the wax will begin to cool and harden.

6. Cool and Set:

   • Hang the fabric to dry for a few minutes, or lay it flat on parchment paper.
   • Allow the wraps to cool and the wax to harden completely.

7. Use and Care:

   • To use the beeswax wrap, mold it around the item you want to cover using the warmth of your hands.
   • Avoid using beeswax wraps with hot foods, as heat can melt the wax.
   • After use, wash the wraps with mild soap and cool water. Avoid hot water, as it can remove the wax. Let them air dry and store them flat.

Beeswax wraps are reusable, and you can refresh the wax coating if needed by placing the wrap between parchment paper and ironing it on a low setting.

With proper care, your homemade beeswax wraps can last for several months to a year, depending on use. They are a sustainable and eco-friendly way to reduce plastic waste in your kitchen.