I’ve been wanting to make reusable food bags to replace plastic for a while now but I was having a hard time figuring out what kind of waterproof fabric was food safe.
I wanted to make some snack and sandwich bags that can be tossed in the wash so I will continue to research food safe fabric (and I’ll keep you posted!) but for now, I’m happy with using beeswax food wrap.
Why Beeswax?
There are a number of reasons that beeswax is the best wax to use for fabric food wrap.
- Sustainable – Beeswax does not rely on industrial processes to be harvested. If you have your own bees (or a friend with bees), you have a free supply too!
- Edible – If you end up with some beeswax on your food, it’s okay!
- Antimicrobial – A 2017 study found that a similar beeswax food wrap was able to inhibit bacteria growth on food.
My favorite reason to use beeswax though is that it can be “grown” on the homestead, making it a perfect wax for those looking for a more self-reliant life.
Beeswax Food Wrap Tutorial
Beeswax fabric is non-toxic, reusable, washable and, because of the nature of wax, can be molded around food or dishes. They’re also very inexpensive to make (ya gotta love that!).
Supplies:
- Cotton fabric (I used leftover craft fabric from OG’s birthday banner)
- Beeswax (I used these beeswax pastilles but you could use leftover candles or shavings from a bar like this one)
- An old cookie sheet (that can be reserved for beeswax only)
- A paintbrush (that can be reserved for beeswax only)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 150 degrees (or lowest setting).
- Lay a piece of fabric on the cookie sheet (It can be doubled over if needed). Spread beeswax pastilles or shavings over the fabric. How much you need depends on the size and thickness of the fabric.
- Put the cookie sheet in the oven and wait a few minutes for the beeswax to melt.
- Use the paintbrush to spread the beeswax to coat the whole piece of fabric. I found that it worked best to leave the cookie sheet in the oven while doing this but you can take it out too as long as you work fast.
- If you need more beeswax to coat the fabric, add it now and allow to melt again.
- When the fabric is covered in beeswax peel it off of the cookie sheet and hang to dry/cool (this takes just a few minutes).
- Now you can use pinking shears to cut the edges or just start using your beeswax fabric food wrap!
Beeswax Food Wrap Washing and Care
Spot clean with cool water (warm water will melt the wax).
It would also make sense to keep this beeswax food wrap out of the sun or other sources of heat.
I had thought about sewing this fabric into bags for snacks it’s really unnecessary. The fabric folds and stays in place well without sewing it. It’s also easier to clean when you fold food into the large square of fabric rather than stuffing food into a pouch.
I also found this crafter who makes beeswax food wrap and has them for sale in her shop.
Have you tried making your own beeswax food wrap or bags? How did you do it?
Wow, what a great idea!! I wouldn’t have ever thought that you could make this, and create less plastic waste. That’s awesome! I will be trying it. :)
Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!
Every little bit helps, right? :)
SOOOOO cool!!! Love this!
I would love if you would come and share this on my Tuned-in Tuesday blog hop tomorrow! http://www.healthyrootshappysoul.com/2013/04/tuned-in-tuesday-blog-hop-3.html
Thanks for the invite!
Very neat idea! I’ll have to give it a try!
Blessings,
Gloria @ resourcefulgals.blogspot.com
This is a fascinating idea! I wash and reuse our plastic bags, but they eventually do get holes in them and can be a pain to wash. I love the idea of using fabric and beeswax that I already have, and avoiding plastic in a whole new way!
Found your great post through Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways. :)
I totally have this same project on my to-do list! Awesome! Thanks for the tutorial — I’ll have to reference it when I make my own!
I’ve been wanting to make my own chapstick but have waited because I didn’t want to buy beeswax for just one project. Thanks for this idea!
That’s what I bought my beeswax for originally too :)
Wow! That is so neat! I didn’t know you could make this kind of thing. I wonder if it would work to sew it into snack or sandwich bags…do you think? or do you think the wax wouldn’t work with the needle of a sewing machine and such. Thanks for the idea
I would love if you would share this at my link party. http://www.realcoake.com/2013/04/real-family-fun-8.html
Take care,
KC
I think it would work to sew them. I plan on doing that sometime so I’ll let you know how it goes :)
If you’re worried about wax in your sewing machine, you could create the bag first then add the bees wax. Though if you use plasic snaps I’d suggest waiting to add those until after you’re done with the oven
Great idea!
fantastic! I’ve been looking for a solution like this for a while. Thank you so much for sharing this! Going to share this on facebook and pinterest too!
You’re welcome :)
I love this idea! And so simple! Thanks so much for sharing on Natural Living Monday! I have not posted this weeks yet but Ill share a secret… you were our top featured post. :)
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know :)
This is great! We have a ton of beeswax since we keep bees, and I am always looking for fun ways to use the wax. I am going to try this! Thank you so much :)
Hi there,
I was wondering if you ever sewed this fabric into snack bags?
I want to do this but I also do not want to gum up my sewing machine.
Thanks,
Leonora
No, I haven’t yet :( If you do give it a try I’d love to hear about it!
Hi, I have just tried making these using “Melted down from candles used at worship in a Russian Orthodox Church” – sold on ebay as “pure, certified genuine beeswax”. Anyway it didn’t work – the fabric (plain calico) dried stiff and not flexible, and not sticking to itself, like the beeswax wraps I had seen at a market. I am wanting some advice – do you think it was the wax that was the problem? If I get pure cosmetic-grade beeswax will it work properly?
Yikes! It sounds like it may be the wax. I’ve never heard of that happening with pure beeswax.
I love making these!
The method I use includes the same materials, just add a couple drops of jojoba on top of the bees wax…it has antibacterial properties and adds extra stick.
First I lay a towel, then a piece of parchment paper (bigger than the size of your cloth), then the cotton cloth, on this you shave the bees wax on until covered, then a couple drops of Jojoba, another layer of parchment to cover. Now to melt it, I use an Iron over the parchment. Slow and steady will get the best results to make sure it spreads to the edge. Then, peel the top parchment layer off, and separate the cloth and hang to dry for one minute or so until cool! Happy making!!
Great idea to add jojoba oil, thanks for sharing!
Do you paint wax on both sides of the cloth or just one side?
Thanks!
I do one side but it kind of soaks into the fabric so it doesn’t feel like it’s only on one side. You could definitely do the other side too though!