How to Make Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are the new plastic.

They work perfectly as a sustainable replacement for plastic bags and plastic wrap.

Beeswax wraps are reusable, easy to clean, toxin-free, and compostable. Healthy for you and for our planet.

Mindfully giving your attention to all aspects of how your food is sourced, prepared, and stored is a wonderful Gentle Leap. By making a few beeswax wraps you are reducing waste, removing chemicals from your home, and engaging in a self-care practice that benefits you, your family, and the environment. Yay! 

You’ve probably seen them at the store, you have an inkling you could make them yourself (as they are a bit pricey to purchase), and guess what – you’re right! You can make them and it’s quite easy!

Making beeswax wraps is also one of those fun craft projects that kids can also do with you, giving them a little more connection to the piece of fabric that wraps up their cute little orange slices for lunch.

How to Use Beeswax Wraps:

• Wrapping up fruits, veggies, cheese, or bread – think half a cucumber or lemon
• Covering a bowl or container – like dough or cut up veggies
• Packing a to-go snack or sandwich 

There are a few ways to make the wraps – I found that using copal or pine resin gives a more tacky feeling that helps hold a tighter bond. However, it’s slightly more complicated to make and you also have to source the resin. I often just make the simple version using only beeswax, see recipe below.

Homemade Beeswax Wrap Recipe

Ingredients

• Beeswax beads –The farmers market is best, but you can also purchase at most natural food stores like Natural Grocers. The beads are easier to use, although you can also grate the beeswax from a large bar.
• Fabric – 100% cotton, organic if possible – this is the fun part, choose some fabric you love and can imagine using over and over.
• Pinking shears – to prevent the fabric from fraying, scissors can work too in a pinch.
• Brush – beeswax is difficult to get out of fabric, so I have an inexpensive brush dedicated for beeswax projects
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees
2. Cut fabric into desired shapes and sizes –circles, squares, rectangles, whatever you would like! Keep in mind you want the fabric to lay flat in the baking sheet, so that should be your max dimension. I went with a few 8×8, 10×12, and some freehanded shapes.
3. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Place fabric on baking sheet, spread out beeswax beads evenly over fabric.
5. Place baking sheet in oven for about 5-10 minutes until beeswax beads are melted.
6. Take baking sheet out of the oven; use the brush to sweep the beeswax over the fabric, making sure all edges and corners are covered. If you missed a spot, add a few more beads.
7. Place baking sheet back in the oven for 1-2 minutes.
8. Take baking sheet out, remove the wrap, and hang to dry. I used a drying rack to hang all of mine up.
9. Then repeat! Ideally it’s nice to have several baking sheets going at a time to keep the process rolling.

Cost Comparison:

Compared to Bee’s Wrap (3 pack for $18), the homemade option is much less expensive. When you make them yourself the cost of the wax is typically around $20 for 1 pound of quality wax which makes about 40-50 wraps. Too many for one family but could be given as lovely gifts! Or you can use the leftover wax to make beeswax candles. If you grate the beeswax yourself it’s even more cost-effective. 

To Use:

The beeswax will mold to the food or bowl using the warmth of your hands. Mold the wrap around the food and once you release your hands, the wrap will hold its shape.

Care:

Use only cold water (hot water can melt the beeswax) and gentle soap. Hang to dry.

Lifespan:

With proper care, the wraps should last about a year and then can be cut up and composted or used as a fire starter.