Swap Single Use Plastic for Wax Food Wraps
If you’re trying to reduce single use plastics then a great way to do it is to swap your clingfilm and sandwich bags for wax food wraps.ย They are readily available to buy but they are also fairly easy to make and will work out less expensive.
How to make wax Food wraps
There are a few different methods and I will share 2 of my favourites.
Remember to be very careful as melted wax is extremely HOT !
Method 1 - Making Wax Food Wraps with an Iron
You will need:
- 100% cotton fabric (not too thick)
- Beeswax or Soy Wax
- Grater – not required if using wax pellets
- Baking paper
- Iron
- Pinking Shears
Method:
- Cut the cotton fabric to the size you want with Pinking Shears, this will help to stop the edges fraying. Place the piece of fabric down flat on a sheet of baking paper, make sure this is on a heat-resistant surface.
- Grate a thin, even layer of beeswax or soy wax over the cotton fabric. If you want to use wax pellets instead then sprinkle a thin layer over the cotton fabric.
- Cover the beeswax with another piece of baking paper.
- Use an iron on a dry, low heat setting to gently melt and spread the wax across your piece of cotton fabric to melt the wax into your fabric.ย Don’t use your Iron on a steam setting.
- Ensure the piece of cotton fabric it totally covered, including the edges.
- Leave the beeswax wrap to cool then peel it off the paper.ย
Method 2 - Making Wax Food Wraps with a Paintbrush and Oven
These use Pine Resin and Jojoba Oil which make them stickier and more pliable (this is my favourite method)
You will need:
- 100% cotton fabric (not too thick)
- 100g Beeswax or Soy Wax
- 1 tablespoon Jojoba Oil
- Approx 50g Pine Resin
- Baking paper
- Pinking Shears
- Saucepan
- Old bowl or can
- Paintbrush
- Baking Tray
Method:
- Cut the cotton fabric to the size you want with Pinking Shears, this will help to stop the edges fraying. This recipe should make around 4 wraps.
- Put a medium sized saucepan of water onto boil, you only need around a depth of 5 cm.
- When the water is boiling reduce it to a gentle simmer and place the old can or bowl in the water. Place your wax block or pellets, Pine Resin and Jojoba Oil into the bowl or can and stir until melted.
- Place a piece of baking paper on a shallow baking tray and put your piece of cotton fabric on the sheet.
- Using your paintbrush apply the melted wax to the fabric.ย You will need to work quickly as the wax cools it will be hard to apply.
- Place the tray into a pre-heated oven for 2 to 3 minutes to fully infuse it.
- Remove the wrap and hang it on an clothes airer to dry, being careful.
The first method above just used Wax but if you want to make your wraps a little bit stickier and more pliable it’s a good idea to add in some Pine Resin and Jojoba Oil.ย The easiest way to do that is to buy a pre-blended wax block
I hope you have fun making your wraps and I’d love to see your finished results – tag me on Insta @thoroughlymoderngrandma to show me ๐
Wow! I didn’t know this was so simple. Will have to give this a go at the weekend I think!
I have some wax wraps but never thought of making them myself. What a great idea!
To be honest I’ve never even thought to try to make them not knowing how. That’s a really good idea and a great way to reduce single-use plastic.
I love this idea! Making our own food wrapping can really help the environment which is so important right now.
Hi! I m about to make some wax wraps and I would like to ask you, which is the dimensions of the fabric I will need for these portions of ingredients?
Thank you in advance
Hi Dafni,
it really depends what you want to use them for. If you want to wrap sandwiches or cover small dishes 30 x 30 cm is a good size. If you want to wrap a homemade loaf of bread you’ll need one approximately 50 x 50 cm. Hope that helps.
Thank you very much for your answer.
But can you be a bit more accurate, please?
My question is which fabric dimension can be waxed with the amount you mentioned ( 100gr wax+1 tablespoon jojoba oil+50gr resin). I mean, this is for 2 fabrics 50×50? or for 4 pieces 30×30? So, with this amount, how much fabric can I wax?
Thanks again,
Dafni
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Hi, sorry misunderstood the question. You should be able to wax around 8 30x30cm fabric squares with this amount or 5 50x50cm fabric squares. it will depend on the thickness / absorbency of your fabric but this should give you a rough idea. The wax needs to thoroughly coat the fabric but shouldn’t be too thick or it will just crack when it dries.
Thank you very, very much!
Your answer was very helpful!
I would like to ask you something more. Can I let the mixture of your second recipe become hard and then have a wax bar ready to be grated for future use?
Sorry if my question sounds a bit silly…
Hi, yes that’s fine. I prep-blend my wax and pour into silicone moulds to use later ๐
That’s great!
Thank you very much for your answer. You are very kind.
I am about to try all these today!
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