The Complete Guide to DIY Beeswax Wraps (AND Beeless Vegan Food Wraps!)

The BEST Reusable Beeswax Wrap Recipe

Makes (2 to 3) 12 x 12 inch cloths. 
Ingredients

• 100 percent cotton fabric, organic if possible
  
  
• 0.35 oz. sustainably sourced pine resin 
  
  
• 1.25 oz. beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax
  
  
• 1 Tbsp. organic jojoba oil
  
  
• Large popsicle stick or other compostable stirrer
  
  
• Parchment paper
  
  
• Dedicated paint brush
  
  

Directions
[list="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(108, 104, 75); font-family: Palatino,"]
[*]Wash and dry fabric.

[*]Cut fabric into desired shapes and sizes.

[*]Place pine resin, beeswax, and jojoba oil in a double boiler or glass measuring cup and set in a saucepan.

[*]Add water to saucepan until the mixture inside the double boiler or measuring cup is below waterline. Turn burn to medium-high heat.

[*]Preheat oven to 300° F.

[*]Allow ingredients to melt and meld together, about 20 to 25 minutes. 

[*]Cover large cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper larger than your biggest piece of fabric. 

[*]Spread a fabric piece (or pieces, depending on size) flat on parchment paper. 

[*]Brush mixture lightly onto fabric. It might solidify, which is fine, as you'll be able to redistribute later. It’s easy to oversaturate, so remember that it’s easier to add more than take the excess away.  

[*]Put cookie sheet in oven for 2 minutes, or until fabric looks wet. 

[*]Remove from oven and look for any dry spots. Brush mixture over these uncovered areas, applying more coating as needed. If you notice unevenness after adding more, you can place it back in the oven for a few minutes to smooth. 

[*]Place the next wrap(s) you are going to make on top of the finished fabric to soak up any excess coating mixture. Work quickly, as you don’t want the wax to begin to solidify. 

[*]Once you’ve pressed any excess onto the new cloth, peel apart and hang your completed wrap(s) to dry. Drying only takes a few minutes. 

[*]Repeat steps with additional pieces of fabric until you are out of coating mixture.  

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[size=36]Beeless Vegan Food Wrap[/size]

Makes (2 to 3) 12 x 12 inch cloths. 
Once I found the perfect recipe using beeswax, I figured that making a vegan version with carnauba wax wouldn’t be that difficult. Using the notes in our vegan calendula salve recipe, I cut down the amount of wax from my original recipe and added more oil to account for the more brittle nature of the carnauba. It took a bit more trial and error, but I got there! These DIY bee-free wraps have a slightly oilier feel and leave just a touch more residue than my store-bought beeswax wraps, but they stick wonderfully to themselves and my favorite bowls too.
Ingredients

• 100 percent cotton fabric, organic if possible
  
  
• 0.75 oz. pine resin 
  
  
• 0.5 oz. organic carnauba wax 
  
  
• 1 Tbsp. organic jojoba oil
  
  
• Large popsicle stick or other compostable stirrer
  
  
• Parchment paper
  
  
• Dedicated paint brush
  
  

Directions
[list="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(108, 104, 75); font-family: Palatino,"]
[*]Wash and dry fabric.

[*]Cut fabric into desired shapes and sizes.

[*]Place pine resin, carnauba wax, and jojoba oil in a double boiler or glass measuring cup and set in a saucepan.

[*]Add water to saucepan until the mixture inside the double boiler or measuring cup is below waterline. Turn burn to medium-high heat.

[*]Preheat oven to 300° F.

[*]Allow ingredients to melt and meld together, about 20 to 25 minutes. 

[*]Cover large cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper larger than your biggest piece of fabric. 

[*]Spread a fabric piece (or pieces, depending on size) flat on parchment paper. 

[*]Brush mixture lightly onto fabric. It might solidify, which is fine, as you'll be able to redistribute later. It’s easy to oversaturate, so remember that it’s easier to add more than take the excess away.  

[*]Put cookie sheet in oven for 2 minutes, or until fabric looks wet. 

[*]Remove from oven and look for any dry spots. Brush mixture over these uncovered areas, applying more coating as needed. If you notice unevenness after adding more, you can place it back in the oven for a few minutes to smooth. 

[*]Place the next wrap(s) you are going to make on top of the finished fabric to soak up any excess coating mixture. Work quickly, as you don’t want the wax to begin to solidify. 

[*]Once you’ve pressed any excess onto the new cloth, peel apart and hang your completed wrap(s) to dry. Drying only takes a few minutes. 

[*]Repeat steps with additional pieces of fabric until you are out of coating mixture.  

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[list="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(108, 104, 75); font-family: Palatino,"]
[*]

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Pro Tips:

• I tried various fabrics and I found that thinner material made of 100% cotton was best for clinging and absorbed less of the mixture for easier coating.
  
  
• Be sure to find a good hanging place for drying wraps before you start. If possible, I recommend hanging a string and then using clothes pins to dry them.   
  
  
• No matter the type of reusable food wrap you choose to make, their care directions are the same. Wash in cool water with a mild soap, like Castille soap, and air dry. Store folded up in a drawer away from sunlight and heat sources.
  
  
• You can alter the amount of resin to make them more or less sticky. I found the above ratios to be the best for my household. Any more resin, and I find the wraps leave a residue on my bowls, and any less, I found that they didn’t stick as much as desired. 
  
  
• Depending on how often you use them, you’ll need to refresh the wraps every 6 to 12 months. To refresh, simply pop them back in the oven, remove, and brush a light coat of the melted resin, wax, and oil mixture evenly over the cloth.
  
  
• It's possible to over-saturate the cloths, so start with a light coat and apply more as needed to get a more even saturation. If you get too much, you can apply another cloth on top to absorb the excess.
  
  
• Beeswax wraps aren’t as air tight as plastic wrap. You can reinforce your wrap’s “cling” by using with a rubber band.  
  
  
  
  

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/the-complete-guide-to-diy-beeswax-wraps-including-a-beeless-vegan-food-wrap