How to Make Reusable Beeswax Wraps
Save the waste and make your own reusable food wrappers with this simple recipe adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Servings: 12 Wraps
Cost: $20
Equipment
- Wide-mouth mason jar or heat-safe measuring cup
- Paint brush
- String
- Clothes pins or clips
- Organic cotton fabric
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon organic jojoba oil
- 6 tablespoon food grade pine resin approx ¾ oz
- 1 cup organic beeswax pellets approx 2¾ oz
- 1 ½ yards 100% cotton fabric organic preferred
Instructions
- Add jojoba oil, pine resin, and beeswax to mason jar or measuring cup.
- Fill the pot with water so that the water line is above the ingredients in the jar. Heat the water on high-heat until it begins to boil, then turn heat down to medium-high to maintain a light boil. Add water to the pot as necessary to ensure the water line always stays above the ingredients in the jar.
- After about 10 minutes, the beeswax should be partially melted and you can begin stirring the mixture every 5-7 minutes, until both the pine resin and beeswax have melted and combined, about 30-40 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and leave the jar in the water while you are making the wraps.
- While the ingredients are melting cut your fabric into your desired shapes and sizes.
- Once the beeswax and pine resin have melted, preheat your oven to 300° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place a piece of fabric on each baking sheet and brush with the beeswax mixture until the fabric is saturated. Don’t worry if it hardens as it will re-liquify in the oven.
- Put the baking sheets in the oven for 3 minutes. Remove and turn the fabric over using tongs (or fingers if calloused or you have a high resistance to pain). Brush additional wax on any spots of fabric that aren’t saturated. Place the pan back in the oven to bake an additional 3 minutes.
- Using the tongs, carefully lift the fabric from two corners and allow any excess wax to drip off. Hang the wraps using clothespins or clips on a piece of string and allow to fully dry.
Notes
- The pine resin is very difficult to remove from anything once hardened, ensure to wear grubby clothes and use equipment you aren’t too attached to.
- Place mason jar rings on the bottom of your pot to prevent the mason jar from tipping while melting the wax.