An Updated Tutorial: Making Your Own Beeswax Cloth for Reusable Sandwich Bags

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.

Back to School and Making Beeswax Cloth

***UPDATE***

I now have an even better tutorial for making beeswax cloth here!

Daniel is starting preschool this Fall, and it seems like it's just around the corner. I am so excited for him, because I think he will love school. And sad for me because I love having him around all the time. I console myself thinking of running errands alone, uninterrupted crafting and occasional naps on those 2 afternoons.

Since he will be having snack at school, I decided to make matching snack bags and napkins for his Dick and Jane backpack. And I loved it so much that I decided to list the set on my Etsy store! The backpack is a great, free pattern from IndieTutes.

I've been looking into buying or making reusable snack bags for some time now, but it is hard to choose a material. I didn't want plastic or nylon touching his food. I mean, why not just use a Ziploc, then? And I didn't want the food to dry out either.

Then, I though that PUL might be safe since it's on his cloth diapers, but Hope at Little Moose Diapers told me that PUL is not food safe.  I found that a little alarming because there are TONS of PUL snack bags on Etsy, and other places.  So, my genius idea was to use beeswax cloth. But where do you find it? Well...I couldn't. But, there are tutorials for making it. From what I've heard it's a bit hit and miss. The basics are grating beeswax, spreading it over the cloth and melting it with wax paper and an iron. I head lots of problems with getting it even, and it soaking through and wrecking the look of the fabric. So I had to get creative about making the beeswax cloth and the reusable bags!

I ended up painting the beeswax onto the inside/liner fabric for the bags. I melted the wax over low heat on the stove and lightly brushed it onto the back side of the fabric. It worked great. I'm glad I did it only on the lining and not on the outside fabric for two reasons. First, the wax tends to bleed through on the edges and if it's on the inside it's not at all noticeable. Secondly, if I had done it on the outer fabric, I may not have made a liner and the liner makes it look way nicer, easier to wash and keeps the wax directly off your food. Not that it would be bad if it touches your food, but if it melted or whatever food got mushed in, it would make a mess. 

The upside to using beeswax: all natural, smells great, food safe, and keeps the food from dying out unlike plain cotton.

The downside: Hand washing in cold with mild detergent only. Worth it to me!

If you'd like a great snack bag tutorial, you can find one here.

I am excited to make a set. I have so many cute fabrics that are just waiting for a project! And don't forget to enter my giveaway!