Easy Homemade Beeswax Wraps | Why Use Jojoba Oil
Kiss your plastic wrap and plastic bags goodbye! These beeswax wraps allow your food to breath naturally and last longer. There are many variations out there, but these are so easy & worth it!
MATERIALS
Yields 2 large beeswax wraps:
- 2- 100% Cotton fabric fat quarters or any size you desire (prewashed)
- 1.25 oz Beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
- 1 Tablespoon Jojoba oil
- .35 oz Pine rosin
Yields 4 large beeswax wraps:
- 4- 100% Cotton fabric or any size you desire (prewashed)
- 2.5 oz Beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
- 2 Tablespoon Jojoba oil
- .7 oz Pine rosin
TOOLS
- Pinking shears
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper – this precut paper comes in handy in the kitchen
- Kitchen scale
- Oven
- Kitchen paintbrush or foam brush
METHOD
make the beeswax wraps:
- Choose your 100% Cotton Fabric, Wash, and Cut to size using pinking shears to avoid unraveling.
- Gather your ingredients: Beeswax pellets, jojoba oil, pine rosin
- Place an empty jar on a kitchen scale (tare it out) and pour in beeswax pellets
- Add jojoba oil
- Tare out, add pine rosin
- Melt ingredients: Place jar in a double boiler or pot of water over medium-low heat (water in pot should be just above level of ingredients in jar).
- While ingredients are melting, preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the fabric print side down onto the parchment paper.
- Using your brush, lightly brush on your beeswax mixture over the entire fabric (only do one side and avoid over saturating).
- Put in the oven for 2 minutes. Remove and see if you missed any spots (they will be dry-you will be able to tell).
- If you missed spots, brush on more mixture. Return to the oven for another 2 minutes. Keep repeating until there are no dry/uncovered spots.
- If it is fully saturated, lay your next piece of fabric on top of the one you just did. Quickly rub over the fabric to absorb the excess mixture then repeat steps 9-11.
- The first one is almost done. Simply hang it on the line or wave it around for 2 minutes or until it is completely dry to the touch.
- Once it has cooled and dried, it is ready to use!
NOTE
- If you find it is not sticky enough to your liking, simply brush on more of your mixture and let it dry.
HOW TO USE:
- Wrap up bread- our favorite way to store sourdough bread
- Cover bowls, containers, plates, and jars
- Wrap up sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and baked goods.
- Make a little pouch or snack bag for chips and snacks
- Secure with rubber band or string if needed
- & More
WHAT YOU NEED & HOW TO MAKE REUSABLE BEESWAX WRAPS
For our DIY beeswax wraps, you will need beeswax, jojoba oil, pin rosin, 100% cotton fabric, a paintbrush, scissors or pinking shears, parchment paper, mason jar, double boiler or pot, and measuring spoon. A clothesline or string and clothespins are also handy, but not required.
Watch step by step here:
FABRIC SELECTION:
When choosing fabric for your wraps, opt for natural materials like 100% cotton. Synthetic fabrics could melt in the oven while being made and potentially expose your food to chemicals. 100% cotton is relatively inexpensive and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns to match your decor or personality. We like to shop our local quilt fabric store as all of their fabric is 100 percent cotton fabric and they have a great selection!
CUTTING THE FABRIC:
Since we shop at our local quilt shop, we usually get their small fabric squares or a fat quarter (about 18×22 inches) to use to avoid measuring pieces. Although, you can make any size or shape you desire. 4-inch squares are great for covering containers the size of cups or mason jars. Larger 8 x 14-inch rectangles can be used to wrap fresh vegetables, fresh herb bunches, garlic bread or baguettes. If you don’t want to go quite as big as a fat quarter, 10″ squares are a great way to cover many things like sandwiches, snacks, veggies, and leftover containers. Make sure to cut around the fabric using pinking shears to avoid unraveling and be sure to wash and dry the fabric before making the wraps.
MELTING THE MIXTURE:
While there are different ways to melt or apply the mixture, we found this to be the best method. Weigh out your ingredients (beeswax, pine rosin & jojoba oil) into a glass jar. You can use either beeswax pellets or grate your own beeswax. We like to use the pellets because it’s faster and easier to measure. However, grated beeswax melts more quickly and evenly. Place the jar in a pot of water on the stove over low heat. Stir occasionally as the mixture melts. Once it is completely melted, you’re ready to apply it to the fabric. Preheat your oven to 300° F.
APPLYING THE MIXTURE:
Place the fabric piece or pieces design side down on a parchment paper or aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Using a brush, spread the melted beeswax mixture over the fabric evenly. Don’t worry if it hardens, it will melt in the oven. Try not to oversaturate the material.
HEATING & COOLING:
Place the baking sheet in the oven preheated to 300° F for 2 minutes. Remove and check for any dry spots you missed. If you missed any, reapply the mixture to those areas and place back in the oven for 2 minutes. Continue to do so until the entire fabric is covered.
Once the fabric is covered, lay your second piece of fabric design side down on top of the one you just took out of the oven. Quickly press your hands across it to pick up any areas that were oversaturated. Pull the top one off & continue to apply the mixture to it.
Hang your finished one to air dry on a clothesline, wave back and forth, or clip on a string tied between two cupboards to dry completely, about 5-7 minutes. The fabric should feel slightly stiff and tacky to the touch, but not overly sticky. Once cooled, they’re ready to use! Wash with cold water and allow to completely dry between uses (see more on how to care for your beeswax wrap).
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
CAN OTHER OIL BE USED?
Yes, there are several food wrap recipes out there that use a variety of different oils. Ones you might come across are olive oil, coconut oil, or castor oil because they most commonly found in the household already. However, jojoba oil which we use is the most commonly used in beeswax wraps.
BUT WHY WE RECOMMEND USING JOJOBA OIL
1. Flexibility: Jojoba oil add flexibility to the wraps, making them easier to use and mold around various shapes of food. This flexibility is especially beneficial when wrapping irregularly shaped items like fruits or vegetables.
2. Softness: Incorporating jojoba oil into the wax mixture helps keep the fabric soft and pliable. This prevents the wraps from becoming too stiff over time, ensuring they remain easy to use and handle.
3. Antimicrobial Properties: Jojoba oil possesses natural antimicrobial properties, which can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on the wraps. This can help keep your food fresher for longer when stored in the wraps, reducing food waste.
4. Sustainability: Jojoba oil is a renewable resource, derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant. By using jojoba oil in your homemade beeswax wrap recipe, you’re incorporating a sustainable ingredient into your daily routines.
DO YOU HAVE TO USE PINE ROSIN/RESIN?
You can use just beeswax; however, it lacks sealing ability and tends to degrade quicker. Adding pine rosin (resin) to the beeswax mixture provides the stickiness needed for the wraps adhere to themselves and form a tight seal around food items or containers.
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FABRIC SCRAPS?
After cutting the edges of all the fabric, I was left with a big pile of scraps. You know my saying, want not, waste not…so what will I do with them? Use them to tie up my tomatoes!
OTHER THINGS TO MAKE WITH BEESWAX Pellets?
- Dandelion Salve or other salves, balms, soaps, or cosmetics
- Beeswax Candles
- Waterproofing, conditioning or polishing furniture or doors
HOW TO CARE FOR REUSABLE BEESWAX WRAPS
Homemade beeswax wraps will last up to a year or more with regular use and proper care. Caring for your DIY beeswax wraps is essential to prolong their lifespan and maintain their effectiveness.
1. CLEANING
After each use, gently wash your reusable food wrap with cool water and mild soap or detergent if needed. AVOID using HOT water or harsh cleaning agents, as they can degrade the beeswax coating.
2. DRYING
Air dry your wraps thoroughly before storing them. Avoid wringing or twisting them excessively, as this can damage the wax coating.
3. sTORAGE
Store your wraps in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. you can roll them up or fold them neatly for storage. Avoid using them near heat sources, such as ovens or stoves, as heat can soften the wax and cause the wraps to stick together.
4. AVOIDING HEAT
Beeswax wraps are not suitable for use with hot foods or liquids, as heat can melt the wax coating. Avoid wrapping hot items directly in the wraps or using them to cover dishes straight from the oven or stove.
5. Avoiding Certain Foods
Be mindful of the types of foods you wrap in your beeswax wraps. Avoid wrapping raw meat or fish directly in the wraps, as they can harbor bacteria that may be difficult to clean off.
6. Refreshing
Over time the beeswax coating on your reusable beeswax food wraps may start to wear off or deteriorate. To refresh them, you can place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the oven at 300° F for a couple of minutes. Remove them from the oven, let cool and dry completely. This will redistribute the wax and should give you an additional 4-6 months of use. If the wax has worn off, you can also put another coat on it before putting it in the oven.
7. Replacing
With daily use, over time the fabric may start to thin. If they get to the point of thinning or tearing, it may be time to replace them with some new ones. The old ones can be composted.
These Beeswax Food Wraps offer a great alternative to the use of plastic and cling wraps. We love how they keep our food, especially our sourdough breads. Plus, they have a positive effect on our environment. We hope you give them a try!
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