Step-by-step instructions on how to make your own beeswax wraps

DIY beeswax wraps: preparing your material and beeswax

It's best to use spare pieces of fabric made from organic cotton or organic linen for your beeswax wraps. Ideally, your fabrics are undyed or they have been washed several times. The fabric you are going to use should not be too thick so that your beeswax wraps stay mouldable.

1. Cut out the fabric

Cut your fabric to the required size, such as 30x30cm for large bowls or 25x25cm for sandwich bags. The beeswax will later smoothen out around the edges, so you don't have to trim them. Try and use pinking scissors as your wrap will fray less quickly.

2. Prepare the beeswax

Grate the beeswax into smaller pieces. You can also use special beeswax pastilles, which you can buy from your local beekeeper. When buying beeswax make sure that it is safe to consume. This is important so that no harmful substances will contaminate your food.  

Instructions on how to make a beeswax wrap: making beeswax wraps in the oven

Here’s how using an oven is the easiest way to make beeswax wraps:

Instructions on making homemade beeswax wraps: making beeswax wraps with an iron

You can also make beeswax wraps using an iron. Start by placing your pieces of fabric on greaseproof paper and then spread the beeswax pastilles onto them:

1. Now put the second piece of greaseproof paper over the fabric with the beeswax pieces.
2. Set the iron to a medium temperature and gently iron over the wrap until the wax has melted.
3. Check that the wrap is evenly covered to the edges and then leave the wrap to cool.
4. Excess beeswax can end up sticking to the edges of the wraps whilst using an iron. Once it has cooled, you need to remove the excess beeswax from the edges.

If you choose to make wraps using an iron, you can make several wraps at once. To do this, put another layer of fabric over the fabric with the wax pastilles, but you will also need a little more beeswax to soak both wraps.

How to use beeswax wraps

You can use homemade beeswax wraps to cover food items or to cover bowls and tins. The beeswax wrap becomes malleable through your body heat and adheres when you press the edges of the wax wrap against a bowl with your hands.

You can cover fruit, vegetables, bread or leftovers with a beeswax wrap. Do not wrap any raw fish or meat in the wrap, as it cannot be washed to kill any bacteria. Beeswax does contain some slight antibacterial elements, but this is not enough to kill off any bacteria.  

Fatty foods such as sausages, cheese or cakes can cause wax components to dissolve and these then pass onto the stored food.

How to clean and take care of your homemade beeswax wraps

Beeswax wraps should not be exposed to heat or cleaned with cleaning products containing alcohol, as it dissolves the wax. The wraps cannot be put into the dishwasher or washing machine.

Instead, rinse your homemade beeswax wraps with cold or lukewarm water and use a mild dish soap. For stubborn stains gently rub them with a sponge but be careful not to remove the wax. If you want to disinfect your beeswax wraps, you can use vinegar. You can also use the oven to refreshen the wraps up.

You can hang them up on the washing line to dry or put them on a dish drainer.  Do not put the beeswax wraps on the radiator or in the sun to dry.

Summary: homemade beeswax wraps are a good alternative to aluminium foil and cling film

Beeswax wraps are versatile and long-lasting if they are taken care of.  They are also a more environmentally friendly alternative to using aluminium foil or cling film. It’s great for DIY beginners and for children, as you don't need a sewing machine to make them.