I've been surprised at how many people are finding me as they try and figure out how to make their own beeswax cloth. It's very simple, but time consuming and messy! I felt that since this has been such a popular subject I should update the tutorial with better photos and instructions.
Materials:
Beeswax (I have a 1/2 lb chunk from a local producer, but you can also use a pure beeswax candle)
Pan
Paintbrush (I use a fan shaped brush. Once you use it for beeswax, that's all it will be good for, so don't spend a lot of money or use your favorite!)
Cotton fabric
1.) Melt a small amount of beeswax, over medium-low heat, in your pan. Once it's melted, keep the burner on at low heat.
2.) Dip your paintbrush into the beeswax and gently sweep across the fabric. You'll start with very light pressure and then firmer as it cools. When you dip again, ensure the hardened wax melts again. A very light coating is enough. The beeswax will soak through on the fabric, so it's best used as a liner, with the beeswax side facing in.
This is the perfect material for reusable sandwich bags. Most that you see are lined with petroleum products, unless they are 100% cotton. The beeswax is also better at keeping food from drying out than just plain cotton.
Washing Instructions:
Handwash in cold water with mild dish soap. Warm water will melt the wax! I prop ours open to dry on our dish rack and they're good to go by morning.
I am so excited to do this. I have been using food saver bags as my lining. Now I just need to know, how do you was the beeswax cloth?
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ReplyDeleteYou can find washing instructions in my Etsy shop here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/80719034/all-natural-reusable-sandwich-bag-for
Help! Just found your great tutorial but the link for washing instructions seems to no longer be a good one. How do I wash my new bags?
ReplyDeleteI just added washing instructions to this post! Sorry for the confusion!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO cool - I never knew you could make your own beeswax coated fabric! Sharing on Pinterest right away! :)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehi! i love your tutorial but i was wondering, should/could i use this in warm humid climates? i live in new england so its mid 90's and 90% humidity in the summer, do you think the beeswax would melt if i brought them to the beach or picnic?
ReplyDeletePart of the reason I chose to put the beeswax on the inside of the lining fabric is because it doesn't really matter if it melts. However, if you live in a really humid area, you may not need to lock in the moisture the same way we need to in our very dry climate! I'd suggest trying with just cotton and see how is works.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply. i was playing around with this idea today and I had a few more questions (if you dont know the answers thats fine, i just thought you have been doing this much longer than me so maybe you have tried these ideas already!)
Delete1. I was thinking of doing 1 outside layer of cotton then a layer of beeswax saturated cotton, then 1 layer of cotton (to touch the food). thoughts?
2. the way you did it, did you put the side you brushed the beeswax onto touching the food or not touching?
3. did you find any problem with your beeswax getting like.. flaky? like flaking off the cotton (cause i did, thats why i came up with question #1 lol)
thank you for replying and please excuse my ignorance, this is my first time trying something like this :)
You could absolutely add another layer of cotton.
DeleteI put the beeswax side in and the cotton side towards the food, just in case it got melty.
My beeswax didn't flake at all, and I can't think of what would cause that.
Good luck with your project!
THANK YOU FOR THIS! Spent the afternoon looking for fabric to buy, what to buy? etc. I have beeswax candles and sweet cotton here. I can just go do it now. This is GREAT.
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