INTRODUCTION
Beeswax wraps are easy to make when you know how and have a good recipe to follow.
I first learnt to make my own Beeswax Wraps in 2018.
I’d kept hearing about them, but didn’t really think I needed any as I’d eliminated plastic cling wrap years prior and used containers for all my needs. In fact, I’d been given some wraps that were sitting in my kitchen drawer unused.
Then, I was asked to do some waste and recycling education at a number of small country towns. Let’s get real, how many people are going to show up on their own accord to hear about what happens after they put items in their kerbside bins… I needed a sweetener, a bribe to get people through the door… enter DIY beeswax wraps.
I’d seen them around for sale and thought they were a bit expensive. I knew they’d be easy to make – homemade is always easy – it’s finding good recipes and methodologies that takes the time. So I got researching. I read a heap of blogs, watched a heap of YouTube videos and then I hit the op shops to get some equipment together to start making.
I’d previously been given a massive block of beeswax, had scraps of fabric stashed away and some oil I could use.
So I got making…. And it took me aaaagggggeeeesssss to figure out what produced the best results (and it certainly wasn’t from the blog recipes I followed!). In fact, since those early days, I’ve done over 50 experiments using different ingredients, materials, methodologies, and techniques.
I now know what you pay for – a good wrap is worth the money – but unfortunately there are a heap of ‘crap wraps’ on the market – ones that are easy to make but don’t produce a good result, giving some wraps a bad name.
I’m on a mission to restore beeswax wrap’s reputation by providing quality wraps for sale and teaching you how to make your own.
I’m now a MEGA Beeswax Wrap fan, they have so many uses and I firmly believe they should be an addition to all households and handbags.
You can find our more about what beeswax wraps are and how to use them by visiting: https://earthgirl.net.au/beeswax-wraps/
HOW ARE BEESWAX WRAPS MADE?
Essentially, beeswax wraps are fabric coated in beeswax, or a beeswax mixture. The beeswax mixture can consist of one, or a combination of the following: beeswax, oil and/or resin.
Although you can make 100% beeswax only wraps, the oil provides pliability to the wraps and resin provides stickiness.
Beeswax can also be replace with soy or candellia wax to make a vegan version, however I’ve never experimented with either.
There are numerous methods that can be used to coat the beeswax onto the fabric:
- melt the wax and dip the fabric into the hot wax
- melt and paint the wax onto the material
- grate the wax onto the material and then melt with the use of an iron (with the material between baking paper) or place in the oven or microwave.
Different techniques produce different results – either thick or thin wraps. Thick wraps contain more wax on the fabric and often have better sealing ability. Thin wraps have less wax on the material but are better for keeping in your handbag for wraps on the go.
If you’d like to know more about how to make your own wraps, please consider booking for an in-person workshop if you live in Perth, or learn via the upcoming online e-course.
WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD BEESWAX WRAP?
From my experiments, I’ve found thick wraps to work better than thin wraps. If too much oil is used the wraps can leave an unpleasant residue on your hands. If too much resin is used the wraps can have a smell that can transfer to food.
I make my wraps with a small percentage of oil and resin for a perfectly balanced combination (all of which I teach in my workshops and upcoming online course).
HOMEMADE VS PURCHASED BEESWAX WRAPS
Learning to make your own wraps from scratch allows you to choose your own fabric and ingredients.
DIY wraps with a pre-made beeswax wrap block allows you to customise the material and wrap size.
Purchasing wraps is great if you’re time poor, or have no desire to make your own. Try to get a recommendation from another, so you know you’re buying wraps that work great and avoid getting a ‘crap wrap’.
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