How to make beeswax cotton food wrap with either an iron or oven (Aannsha Jones creates)
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- How to make beeswax cotton food wrap with either an iron or oven - shows you TWO easy techniques to infuse beeswax into cotton material to make an alternative to plastic cling wrap. Learn to use EITHER an OVEN or an IRON to melt the wax. Eco-friendly beeswax cotton wrap is simple to make, lasts a long time and is a natural anti-bacterial way of keeping your food fresh. In this video you will see how I made FOUR different beeswax wraps:
A square wrap - to wrap large and small food items
A round wrap - to wrap food or cover plates or bowls
A cylinder shaped wrap and - a handy enclosed shape to wrap food
A pocket shaped wrap - a great addition to a lunch box
Recycling at its best: using a nearly new cotton blouse!
All materials you need to make this felt project are listed below. And for your convenience, I've included Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MATERIALS USED IN THIS PROJECT:
Cotton blouse amzn.to/2PX9L5Y
Scissors amzn.to/3wM4cbi
Baking tray amzn.to/325s7Va
Baking parchment paper amzn.to/3281PBz
Good quality beeswax block amzn.to/2Rtfdhx
OR beeswax pellets amzn.to/2PRBftK
Grater (to use with wax block) amzn.to/3dRJcY6
An old bristle pastry brush amzn.to/2PTPuyj
A pen amzn.to/3uLYJQ1
A saucepan lid amzn.to/3mO46eR
A knife amzn.to/3dSirCJ
An iron (set to warm / wool setting) amzn.to/3wLI7JM
Washing line and pegs amzn.to/2RqZrDT
An oven (set to 150 degrees C / or 300 degrees F)
If you've enjoyed this video, please LIKE! and subscribe if you'd like to be notified of other creative, felting, eco-printing and jewellery making videos in future. Thanks!
Video and photos are filmed by me at home and on location in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland of Queensland, Australia.
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If you'd like to make waxed food wraps but aren't sure which materials to use, I have put a list of everything you need in the video description. And I've also added affiliate links for your convenience. 😀
Great idea to upcycle a pretty blouse!
Thanks!
That was a clever idea to make the sleeve into a tube.
Thanks!
Very helpful! I wanted to learn how to make these instead of buying them. Love your reuse of fabric too!
Oh great to hear. Thank you @DorothyBailey
Thanks for sharing! I saw these in my local health food store but I figured someone had probably done a CZcams tutorial, I can't wait to try.
That's great! Have fun making them. 😁
I’m going to try this for my daughters school lunches, the tube wrap would be perfect for their lunches
That's great Cali, and they could choose the pattern/colour of material for their wraps to individualises them!
Woo,that is a pretty good thought@Cali
Your daughters would be proud of your gifts,beeswax wrap
Thank you so much for this video. I have now been using wraps in my house for a month or so and they are brilliant!
Thanks Jo Bush, I'm so glad this video has been so useful to you! :)
I would refrain from using coconut oil as it will eventually go rancid. Also you would wash away the oil with soap when cleaning the wrap. In my opinion the beeswax is safer used on its own.
pinkisthekey I've only used it on its own. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has experienced the coconut oil going rancid. I do appreciate your thoughts ☺
@Diamantinable hahaha coconut oil doesn't get rancid hahah what? I make soap and lotion guess what I use coconut oil. I made the mistake listening to natural soapers and such about it never going rancid. Yeah bough in bulk and lost 5 lbs of it. Yes 5lbs of oil to it going rancid.b
@Diamantinable It will still go rancid all oils will.
All oil will go rancid there is no way to prevent it.
refrigerating it and keeping it air tight will help.
I have been wanting to make some wraps for a while now... will give this method a go
Fabulous! :D
AWESOME.....LUV the iron idea, I use a brush with melted wax...this is alot quicker & easier..! Thank you..!!
Thanks! Yes the brush will work well!
Thx.. Was thinking the same. Nice to know it works both ways ✌
Great way to use my beeswax instead of giving it away! Saw a video on how to filter wax in an oven so will try filtering wax in small batches and put the cloth underneath to make the wraps
Oh that's a great idea Tara!
Tara, I use a 5 gallon paint filter to filter wax. You put the wax inside the filter and tie it off. Then you put it inside whatever you are melting it with, with a substantial amount of water. I use an old turkey roaster, but have used a crock pot, and I am sure the oven would work as well. When it is melted, you lift the filter out with all of the junk inside and toss it out. Your liquid wax floats to the top, and when it cools it is on top of the water. If I am filtering the brown wax with castings it takes a few times to get it clean enough for my purposes, but it is far easier than anything else I have tried. The filters are approx $3 at any hardware store. It is a game changer and makes the wax perfect for a project like this!
Good practical advice thanks
Thanks J C, glad you liked it. :)
You are doing a great deed😀
Thank you!
thought of making a sandwich bag out of PUL fabric, then i saw some tutorial of sandwich bag with beewax wrap. This is a good idea and i like the sound you make when you show the sleeve tube.
ding siew yap how cool that you've got an idea to make a sandwich bag this way with a pocket. So glad to have inspired you. 😁
You just saved me money, I'm going to make my own and customize
Rebeca Lynne that's great to hear!
I love your video and tried it myself. However, I found a simpler way from PebblePond, put foil on the iron and iron directly on the fabric.
Thanks for sharing
Clever
I’m going to use 100% cotton bandannas in all different colors that sounds so fun
What a great idea! It will save you cutting them up. :)
I’m definitely trying this.
Great! Do let us know how you get on. :)
Thank u
My pleasure! 😃
Brilliant, thank you! They are so expensive in the stores!
Great! They are aren't they. :)
I am so making these for Christmas gifts. Thanks heaps. Oh, and even if the wax is only available in a plastic container, I reckon it will save far more than that in cling wrap over the years quite handily.
Glad to be an inspiration for your Christmas gifts! Yes, it will certainly keep in the plastic container. :)
@@AannshaJones Just made my first one using the ironing method. Too easy and fun to do.
@@wendygaylord151 Yay!
hey i realy found this video helpful thanks for showing me how
I'm so pleased to hear it helped! 😁
Totally SUPERB . I've been using them and they are marvellous
That's great to hear
Wonderful video
Love this want to get started, fantastic idea
Julie MacDonald great! I'm glad the video has inspired you!
How amazing it that! I will definitely try it. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
So glad you're inspired to try it!
Thank you so much
So glad you liked it! Thank you for commenting.
Nice video. The amount some people are charging for these easy to make wraps is very naughty. £13.99 in Oxfam at the moment
That could be seen to be a rip-off in some people's eyes.
but you can get cheaper here 9.63
Thank you I was wondering how to make these👌👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great Carmen, I'm so glad this has been helpful. :D
@@AannshaJones yes thank you👌💓
Thanks! Terrificly simple method
I bought my first beeswax food wrap today. Im courious now how it's made.
That's great Kristi! Hopefully this video gives you all the information you're looking for. :)
Loved it!
Thank you!
the only drawback i found with these was that i couldn't tell what i had wrapped in them without unwrapping them :( I suppose if you were so inclined you could make different colours for different foods and be very disciplined about the wrapping :)
Yes, that is an issue for me too. I like the idea of different colours for ID
you could maybe hole punch a hole in the fabric and add a tag? or something similar with a safety pin or string or rubber band (if it wouldn't squash the produce)? haven't made the wraps myself so not sure if it would work in practice!
I just had such a "duh" moment 😂 I have made a few of these in squares, but want a few circle ones. I need them fairly large and didn't have anything to use as a template in that size. Seeing you use the pan lid, it dawned on me that I could use the lid from my little grill😂and just make a pattern of sorts. (I'm not a crafty person, so these things are not obvious to me, lol). Thanks for the idea!
It's great to have been an inspiration with a practical twist Lady Wytch!
Just for those complaining about plastic wrapping on beeswax, find a bee farm local to you they will sell you bricks of wax at a reasonable price, either no packaging or just thin cloth. You'd be surprised at how many local bee farmers you may have even if your in a city. I found my local bee farms wax greatly superior to the prior beeswax I had bought in a local store; it smelt better, was easier to handle and melted without residues. I don't know if additives are in the stuff on shelf I never looked into it, comparing the 2 types I would say store bought may contain extras :/
Wow Laeinea HotS, thanks a lot for that. :)
Thanks 🙏🏼😆
You're welcome :)
I think if you grate the wax small enough you could probably even use a blow dryer on hot setting to melt it
Yes good idea... so long as it doesn't burn the material.
use a little roller ..lots easier to apply 🙂
Hope the world will be totally plastic free.....2020....
A tube like that would be good for bread dough for freezer
Eye on art What a great idea! Thanks for your input. 😊
Thanks for this!
My pleasure!
great !!!! tyvm
Great video Aannsha, thanks! :-)
Thanks for your feedback Eco Hayley; so glad you enjoyed the video :)
Definitely going to be trying this. How disappointing that the beeswax comes in a plastic container though!!!
Vicky Robson it looks like a recyclable one though :)
Bunnings sells it in a box
I found beeswax with no packaging whatsoever at my local natural grocer.
If you make friends with someone who has a backyard hive you can get beeswax in a brown paper bag. I also buy my beswax from a market in a block.
Go on Facebook Women in Beekeeping for a local beekeeper
Amazing!! Thank youuu!
Sorry if it has already been asked. I tried to scroll thru comments but there are so many. Does one just keep using it? How do you clean it? Or do you just chuck it out? How long do you use it before cleaning or throwing away?
Hi Angella, you can re-use it many times. Wipe with a damp luke warm cloth and washing up liquid. After a few uses, the wax may crack but that is normal. You can re-vamp it by ironing it between two pieces of baking paper. Or you can also add a bit more wax if you need to and iron.
Aannsha Jones thanks so much!
superbe
Thanks!
What are the duggestions for cleaning the food wraps? Thank you
Soap and cold water to clean them and than let them dry and you can use them again.
Great video. When you make the sleeves, do you wax both sides, or does the wax melt thru all the material?
I put a little wax inside and some on top. Melted it, then checked both sides had wax all the way through.
Cheaper to go to your local beekeeper and ask for any spare wax after they have extracted the honey
Very good point!
Beeswax is a valuable commodity for the beekeeper. It can be purified and sold or used to lay foundations or starter strips on new frames. If you walk up to your local beekeeper and ask for freebies, it's a bit rude.
Beeswax is valuable Krikit. I hadn't thought the original comment suggested asking for wax for free. I'd always recommend offering a fair exchange. :)
It's a nice thought but I've never heard of anyone having "spare" wax - the wax is very valuable!
It happens, I have raw wax because of this.
Great video Aanasha. I have a big lump of beeswax as I used to make polish from it.I wondered if when the wraps needs refreshing you need to add anything to the beeswax., I see this mentioned that they mix Jojoba Oil and Resin in with the beeswax. Is this really necessary as you haven't added anything else and I wondered what the reason is. Would it be to make the cloth softer and more pliable?
Thank you eccentriccoldcow (love your name lol). The Jojoba oil softens it. I haven't tried it myself as I was making these on a budget. Mine did crack eventually but it wasn't a problem as I just re-ironed it. It's possible that too much wax - that sits on the surface of the cloth rather than being all soaked in - would look more cracked. I think the pine resin is more for its antibacterial properties, but I've read that it does have a smell that may transfer to the food that's being wrapped. I hope that helps. :)
@@AannshaJones I'm loathed to buy more ingredients for making things, as I tend to buy them and never get round to using them. So I may just try making them as you have done with just beeswax. I bought my first lot of wraps from Aldi and they are very good and I love the feel of them. ~Thank you for your reply and my name just came to me as I am a little eccentric ha ha
@@eccentricoldcowcool on all counts! If you have coconut oil you may be able to substitute that for the jojoba. Enjoy your project!
@@AannshaJones Thank you. I do have a good amount of organic coconut oil here
How many grams of beeswax would you use for the first square of fabric you covered in the video? I want to purchase a block but I’m unsure on how much as I only want to make a few wraps x
Not much at all. If you go to 4:24, you'll see that I've grated a small edge off the 140g block of wax. Sorry I can't be more exact, I've never weighed the wax I use! I hope that helps Hayley :)
It is not much for first time to try it,just to change the dosage of beeswax in different requirements
Relax it @Bennett
I saw some for sale and they suggested they have a life span of 6 months or so, can anyone advise please if this is correct or incorrect? I think I'll be making my own. Many thanks!
It will certainly work out cheaper if you make your own! I've found that, providing I re-wax, or re-iron them when they get too creased, they've lasted well. I think cleaning and storing them carefully and also how often you use them, will all make a difference to how often you need to re-wax. :)
Carolyn , I love all your videos do you have a book or books available for purchase ? I would love to put your knowledge of homesteading on my book shelves for future reference and for future generations .
Betty, thank you so much! I hadn't even thought about making a book, but it is in my mind now and maybe I could. Although it might be an e-book to begin with. Is that something that would suit you do you think?
Hi! I'm curious about the iron method on thicker fabric items such as heavy duty canvas bags. can you still put the beeswax on one side and fold? i guess i will have to do some experimenting, but curious if anyone else has experience?
Great idea Clementine. I think you'll find if you use enough wax it will soak through the material. You may have to iron the material for a bit longer to ensure all the wax melts.
have you tried using these wraps to wrap uncooked meat for the freezer? if so, do you have any tips? i read below your comment about using paper (which would be better to me than using the plastic freezer bags i currently use) - have you tried this?
if not, what is your method of freezing meat?
Thanks!
I haven't used them for freezing meat and live on board a boat now so don't actually have a freezer lol. If you experiment I'd love it if you'd share your results here. I personally would use baking paper in between meat and wrap to prevent contamination. 🙂
You can also get freezer paper which is waxed on the inside.
Hi im thinking of making these as xmas gifts this year. Was your fabric 100% cotton and how long would they last unused if you know. Id prob make them in Nov but just asking
What a great gift Emma! Yes, mine were made with 100percent cotton fabric. They will last well (away from heat!) in a paper bag, flat in a drawer.
Brill im so excited to make these. Ive ordered some good fabric and 100% bees wax and going to use your vid to make some for myself first. Cant wait thanks for video big help. X
Let me know how you get on, I'm excited for you @@emmamcgee1096 !!
I will do.😊
Just thought on i have a gas cooker.. os there an alternative method to first putting the grated wax on? Or would it be ok x
How do we clean the beewaxed cloth without removing the beewax?
Just wipe the beeswaxed wrap with a cloth wetted with damp luke warm cloth and washing up liquid. After a few uses, the wax may crack but that's normal. You can smooth it out by ironing it between two pieces of baking paper. Or you can also add a bit more wax if you need to and iron. Hope that helps :)
Bees wax is expensive here in Canada so made some anyway some video add some other oil and other stuff.
I didn't know it was expensive there. Yes, you can add other oil etc, like jojoba or coconut oil for flexibility - but only a few drops and also pine resin.
You could use parrafin wax that is used for canning. Not very expensive and it doesn’t take much wax either. My kids and I tried this on a small shopping bag I made. We softened the wax in the microwave a bit until a light layer of wax stays when you rub the wax on the fabric. Then used a hairdryer to heat so the wax soaks into the fabric. It’s kinda fun to do / watch the magic.
Am I able to use those mini tea candle’s wax for it? I don’t have beeswax unless the candles are made of beeswax.
I personally wouldn't use that type of wax. This wax is made with paraffin which is a petroleum derivative. Paraffin candles actually harm indoor air quality due to the ingredients in them (dioxin to bleach the paraffin wax, carcinogenic acrolyn to add texture, stearic acid from animal slaughter to harden the wax), so I'd be reluctant to use that stuff around my food.
Aannsha Jones thank goodness I didn’t try that! Thanks for telling me. :)
What a fantastic idea, I am going to make a few of these. How do you keep them clean?
Hi Harphoney, so glad you like the idea! Clean them with a cloth wetted with damp luke warm cloth and washing up liquid. After using them for a while, the wax may crack but that's normal. You can smooth it out by ironing it between two pieces of baking paper. Or you can add a bit more wax if you need to and iron again. Enjoy making them!
How long do these tend to remain useable? I assume you can just melt off the wax with hot water and redo the application when They get bad, but how many uses do you usually get out of this with one application? ANd does it work well in the freezer? Great video!
It depends how many times you use them and wash them Steven. But you're correct, you can re-wax them if they wear a bit thin. If you don't use hot water to wash them in, they should last well. Between 6-12 months. You can use them in the freezer, and store food from 1-3 months. And thanks for your feedback. :)
@@AannshaJones thanks, will try it
You are so cute!!!!
Lol, thanks!
Hello! I liked your video but I wonder why you don't show how to make the pocket shaped wrap??
Hi Amelie, I forgot to film myself! But it's very simple to make, as all I did was literally cut out the pocket off the blouse, then I covered it with grated wax, and ironed it between two pieces of baking paper (which is the technique I show you in the video). Then I opened the pocket up while the was was still soft, so the two sides didn't stick together, and hung it out to dry. So basically all you need to do is find a shirt or blouse with a decent sized pocket, cut it out, and wax it. I hope this helps. :)
Yes!! Thank you very much!! :)
I didn't think coconut oil can go rancid!
Thanks for the video. As a commercial beekeeper I was thinking about diversifying with my products and this seems like a good one to add. Do you have any thoughts about using cotton with a print in it and whether there is any issue with dyes seeping onto the food being wrapped?
Hi 86beeman, it is great to hear that you're looking at branching out into wax for wraps and from the sounds of things, making packs with the cotton. You would need to check that the material has dye that doesn't run, and also go with cotton or another similar natural fibre because of the eco-nature of the product. I think it might be nice to use prints - you could either go with packs containing similar prints of a similar colour, or some with mixed colours. You could check on line and see what other packs sell well. Or, what about sourcing a cotton that has bees as the print? Or even honey ... bee-related. Just some thoughts. I wish you well with your venture. Do let me know when you get some packs available and I'll put a link into my information section just below the video - I'd like to support your proactivity! All the best.
Hi Aannsha! Thanks for your thoughts! I'll look into some of those things and try and remember to get back to you. You can check my Facebook page, "Glorybee Apiaries" if you like as I'll post something on there when I get around to making a few packs. I think there are two FB pages with that name but I'm in Canada and my logo is a queen bee with a crown, the other is in the U.S.
Thanks. Great idea.
How do you clean after using?
Cool. I just threw the baking paper away. 😁
@@AannshaJones I meant how do you clean the waxed fabric 😁
@@morokiya55 😁 Sorry!! Just wipe with a damp cloth dipped in warm water with a bit of dish washing liquid in it. Make sure the water's not too hot otherwise it may melt the wax. If the fabric develops cracks with use, just re-iron it, or add a bit more wax and iron as if making a new one. Hope that helps. ;)
@@AannshaJones Thank you.
I will try it soon.🌷😊
Great idea, but how would they go in our Queensland summers, if they are put in a lunch box?
diane duncan that's a valid question. I only used mine in the fridge. I do know that the wax block was hard when kept out in room temperature if that's any indication. Why don't you try one as a test? Or make some now it's cooler and see how they go as it approaches summer. If you use ice blocks in insulated bags it shouldn't be a problem. If regular candles are anything to go by, I only remember them getting so hot that they bent once ... 😁 If you do experiment, it would be great if you let us know your results.
diane duncan cold pack for food safety anyhow
what typenof fabric can you use for these wraps?
As it is to wrap food, I'd suggest clean, natural material, about the thickness of a cotton shirt (or a bit thicker). So long as the molten wax can seep into it.
Amazing video! I have a question, what kind of fabric did you use?
Thanks! I used cotton.
Hi! About the pocket-shaped wrap, what part of the blouse did you use though? 😊 Thinking of suggesting this to my group for our business plan & product’s sustainable food packaging. ♻️
Great idea Khayla. I used the pocket from the top left hand side (breast pocket). Hope that helps and all the best with your group! 😃
Aannsha Jones Thank you, Ma’am! 😊 All thanks to your great mind for this creation. For the environment 💚
I'm glad I could share it!
I wonder if it might be better to use foil rather than baking paper. If wax gets on your oven tray it could burn when you next use it & if any gets in your iron it could destroy it.
Good points Sarah. Personally I have found that the baking paper I used was very strong and durable - probably less likely to get an accidental tear in it while ironing. But do give foil a go and let us know how it works for you. I guess you could use an old oven tray that you reserve for just ironing wraps on if you're concerned about the wax burning with re-use. You could probably pick on up cheap from a second hand shop (op shop - as they call them in Australia). Has anyone reading had any issues with getting wax on your iron? If so, how did you clean it? Any trouble shooting is more than welcome here. :)
Aannsha Jones I wasnt thinking of it tearing really, foil does tear easily I know so would have to be used with care, but I thought that maybe the melted wax might seep through the baking paper. Does it do this at all? Maybe it would work to use a layer of each for those who are worried? Thankyou for making this nice clear video. I like the idea of using recyled material too. Having seen what plastics can do to sea life Im trying to avoid using sandwich bags.
Sarah Strong I haven't found wax seeping through the baking paper myself, but foil is a good idea just in case, if that is a concern. :) I'm so glad you like the video, thanks for letting me know.
Now that I'm living on a boat, I am very concerned about not using cling wrap. We moved to Spain from Australia and had very limited baggage allowance, so apart from clothes, and much needed laptops and camara equipment, everything else, including wax wraps had to be given away. However, I've bought an iron now, and we are on shore power for a while, so I will be able to make more wraps before we go sailing.
I like the idea of getting a dedicated pan just for beeswax wraps (which are next on my diy list). I like beeswax candles and a while ago ordered a 1 pound bag of beeswax online (I'm in the U.S.) from Bulk Apothecary, I think. When I seriously began melting down wax for candles, I went to a thrift/charity shop and bought a pan, bowl and measuring cup that I use ONLY for candle making.
Great idea Ellen, thank you for sharing.
Would a heat gun work instead of parchment and an iron?
I haven't used a heat gun PiokoMew, but I believe they're like a hair dryer only hotter. You could give it a try, as it will certainly blow air hot enough to melt the wax. I'd be very careful doing it though in case you burn the material - start with the heat gun at a good distance, and do it for short bursts of heat, then increase for the desired effect. I'd very much like to hear your results, if you'd like to comment here again. :)
Have you made beeswax cotton food wraps? If so, did you add jojoba or coconut oil? Did you find it made any difference compared to just plain beeswax? I'd love to know your experience with wax wraps as an eco-friendly alternative to cling wrap.
Aannsha Jones , I made some with beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil. I really like the outcome.
darlingcamp sorry I've only just seen your comment. Does the pine resin give a.strong smell to the wraps or food?
Hi both, I have recently made some wraps - and they are my new favourite thing! Any idea on the quantities of pine resin and jojoba oil. I see you can buy the pine resin online and assume any natural oil could be used?
Louise Burgess You probably don't need much. If essential oil probably just a drop or two. If jojoba, try a few drops and see how it affects the pliability. Too much pine may impart a strong smell into the food. Too much of any oil to the beeswax ratio may make it too soft and unable to hold it's shape.
I add pine resin as well as coconut oil for a great result. No odour from the pine resin
Gosh I almost bought 4 for $30. Bunnings sells wax for $5
Wow. Glad Bunnings sells the wax. I hope it's food grade quality.
Beeswax?
great video. where did you get your Bee Man wax block from?
The container said Manuka Bees Wax. Manuka is an Australian honey brand so I am guessing the wax is also from Australia.
Our own factory,Sir
I got mine from a local Australian cooperative health food store. I'd suggest health food stores, or a local beekeeper, or even amazon.com
How long do they keep for? Will the wax come off it? Can I make a bunch and store them?
They do keep for a long time if you look after them. The wax may need 'renewing'. To do this either re-iron between pieces if bakinh paper, or sprinkle on more wax and iron as per video. I made a few and stored them for when I wanted to use them.
Is it possible to use the beeswax on material you are using to make moisture resistant masks? Obviously I mean the outer layer of the mask & not the inner layer.
That sounds interesting Nyomi! Well, beeswax does make fabric moisture resistant. But it soaks right through the material. So you may need two layers, if you want the inside not to have wax on it. Do let me know how you go, if you try this.
Hello. Do you only sprinkle the wax on one side of the fabric?
Jennifer Lesleighter Yes that's right. The wax seeps through the fabric when it's heated.
How ironic that the beeswax to make these plastic-alternative wraps came packaged in plastic.
It is indeed Jen.
Because the plastic will keep the product clean. Wax would pick up debris and/or fingerprints otherwise.
That's a good point, thanks @@decorativeacademy7100
i go to a local beekeeper . get her beeswax and then clean it etc to use . thus avoiding plastic
@@morriganman6336 it's great thst you have a local supplier. ☺
How do you clean it though. Hot water would melt beeswax off.
Very hot water would melt beeswax :) I just wipe it with a damp luke warm cloth and washing up liquid.
Hi, how do you keep them clean?
Just wipe with a damp luke warm cloth and washing up liquid. After a few uses, the wax may crack but that is normal. You can re-vamp it by ironing it between two pieces of baking paper. Or you can also add a bit more wax if you need to and iron.
how do I wash it? awesome idea and video btw!!!
Thanks! Try lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid in it.
Very curious, are these bees wax napkins water proof?
Good question. If you put enough wax on them to soak into all the material, they are water resistant - rather like glad wrap.
Can you use old beeswax candles for this?
I guess it would depend on the quality of the beeswax and how I felt about wrapping it around my food. But yes, it could be done. :)
Can I use beeswax pellets instead of grated wax? Or are they too big?
Try them
Maybe you could grate them first. Or just use a few at a time.
You can use pellets. No need to grate them at all
Hi, can I use linen instead of cotton fabric?
Maddy Stowey I don't see why not! If it is heavy linen you may need more wax than a thinner cotton fabric.
Maddy Stowey I don't see why not! If it is heavy linen you may need more wax than a thinner cotton fabric.
Yes you can and linen is even more eco friendly - less chemicals to produce
Roughly how long would one of these last if you used it daily? i.e for wrapping a sandwich. Thanks
They can last anywhere from 3-12 months depending on use. But if one looks a bit cracked or worn, you can always apply a bit more wax.
@@AannshaJones Thank you. Are they bio degradable after that ?
@@marniep4332 it's all natural substances...
Do you do just one side of the fabric
Yes it soaks through.
Can you wash this after you have used it once? And will the wax remain on if you rinse it with warm/hot water?
yes... just use cold water.... beeswax wraps should never be used to wrap meat as you shouldn't wash with hot water... if you do use hot water, you will need to reapply wax.
Hi Mac n' Carl Sr. Yes you can wash them after you've used them. As Christine Miller has said don't use extra hot water because it will melt the wax! I use cold or luke warm water with a bit of washing up liquid.
Hi Aannsha. Great video. Thank u for sharing this information with us. I was looking at an alternative to store meat like chicken and fish in freezer. As of now we reuse plastic and I want to stop using it as v have to throw them when they wear out. Can I use these beeswax cloth wraps?? Will it work??
Hi Khatija, so glad you liked the video, and thanks for taking the time to write. I would be cautious about using the cloth wraps with uncooked meat, chicken and fish as there is a chance of contamination if the wraps aren't cleaned properly after use. You would have to ensure that you clean the wraps well. Perhaps warm (not hot) water with dishwashing liquid with a little antibacterial high quality essential oil - tea tree, oregano or grapefruit (skin) essential oil may work. Alternatively you could wrap the raw food first in baking paper and then in the beeswax wraps. That way, the paper would keep the wraps clean and the wraps could be pressed tightly against the bundle, so there's no trapped air (which can cause freezer burn). Of course that then uses paper... What do you think?
Hmmm. Yes. Thank u replying so early😊
N if I use baking paper then I will be throwing them away once I unwrap it.
N my mom is not going to go through so much of a process to store raw meat 😁
How abt bags made of cornstarch. They r biodegradable and available at Amazon. They come with packing. 😞 huuuuhhhh. This is annoying.
Anyways thank u for helping me.
Khatija Syed I haven't heard of cornstarch bags! Glad to be able to give you a bit more information towards your solution. Do let me know what you decide in the end. ☺
Sure!! Thanks again. Good work. Keep it going 👍🏼
For how long you can use it?
A lot depends on how often you sue it. If you wipe it carefully with cool soapy water, and maybe re-iron it every now and then when the wax cracks, it could last anywhere from 6 to 12 months. You can also re-wax it.
Half of one year,maybe more time for using kitchen@Balestrin
When I did this the beeswax broke, even being left out overnight. What am I doing wrong?
Are you using too much wax? You only need enough to soak into the cotton.
Does it have to be 100% cotton? I have a polyester shirt left over in my sewing box. Great video ☺
Thanks Sunny. So long as the material absorbs the melted wax, it shouldn't be a problem. Although you may want to make sure the iron temperature that can melt the wax isn't too hot for the shirt. I think a lot of people embrace the wax cotton wraps because these are an alternative to man made materials, and of course polyester is man made. But I reckon that making your shirt into wraps is a great way to recycle and upcycle something you already have.
You're not supposed to iron synthetic materials like polyester. It will melt.
Thanks @@irene1234, that's why I suggested making sure the iron wasn't too hot. I remember using an iron on synthetics but it did have to be on the cooler side.
Which side is facing up on the container?
The top
I get my beeswax in a bar made, labeled with a stamp into the wax & sold by my honey lady . No packaging. $2 /bar
Fabulous. Does she have them available through a website, if so, put a link here!
@@AannshaJones www.sunrisehives.com/
I find grating wax takes strength and endurance and not be in a hurry. Is there a better method than manually grating?
I never finished my grating & wax covers for Christmas
@@maryjanesteinbrecher3953 here are a few thoughts: 1. Some people use pellets. 2. You could spend one afternoon grating the wax into a container so you have it available for when you want to make more. 3. Get an old saucepan, put the block of wax into it and melt it gently on the stove. Only melt what you think you'll need. Keep the pan dedicated to melting wax. Hope those ideas help. 😀 You can always make more covers now and make them New Year gifts 😉
Hi! I loved your video, should use only use a 100% cotton material?
Thanks! Use a natural fabric, or at least one that will stand the heat of a hot iron or oven.
Where I can buy the beewax?
You could try a health food shop or a local beekeeper 🙂
@@AannshaJones thank you!
Amazon sells beeswax
@@denisenico2889 thanks for that!
could you just dip into a heated pot of beeswax? ta
That's a great idea. Why don't you give it a go and we'd love to hear about your results. :)
That would make the coating too thick. Lunch wraps only need a little bit of wax. dipping them in would make the fabrig too thickly coated with wax and impossible to use. The idea is to have it almost like thick paper.
I would love to know how much u paid for that manuka bees wax i bet it was a bomb
Hi, that little box cost me 9.95 Australian Dollars. :)
Aannsha Jones wow that is expensive
missy sparkles it is. But it was the only was I could find when I went shopping. But it is organic and good for wrapping around food. Also the value isn't bad as a little goes a long way.
missy sparkles I think it is rather cheap, as a clear film tube is $1,5 -$2,5 here.
That's a good point music box :)