Small swaps add up to big change, so consider trading your plastic wrap or aluminum foil for a DIY beeswax wrap! For this “recipe,” you can upcycle old (but clean) dishcloths, go to the thrift store and pick out a linen tablecloth with a funky pattern, or grab a stack of stylish eco-friendly dish towels. Whichever way you choose, making these easy (and dare we say stylish?) beeswax wraps is a great way to cut down on your single-use plastics.
Makes 2-3 12×12 inch wraps
Materials
- 1 yard 100% organic cotton fabric
- .35 oz pine resin
- 1.25 oz beeswax pastilles
- 1 Tbsp organic jojoba oil (We found the pine resin, beeswax, and jojoba oil at a natural grocery store, but you can also find them online.)
- Large popsicle stick
- Parchment paper
Equipment
- 1-2 inch wide paint brush
- Pair of scissors
- Large baking sheet
- Medium saucepan
Directions
- Wash and dry fabric. Cut fabric into 12×12 inch squares.
- Fill a saucepan with water and place pine resin, beeswax, and jojoba oil in a glass measuring cup and set in a saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water until the waterline reaches halfway up the measuring cup.
- Heat the water at medium-high heat and melt down ingredients, stirring occasionally with the popsicle stick, about 20-25 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 300° F.
- Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a piece of fabric over the parchment, back facing up. Brush beeswax mixture lightly over fabric.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven for 2 minutes to re-melt the wax coating. Remove from the oven and brush mixture over any dry spots. Try not to oversaturate with the wax mixture. You can even place the next piece of fabric on top of the first piece to soak up any extra coating mixture (you’ll want to work quickly so the wax doesn’t solidify).
- Leave completed wrap(s) rest on the parchment paper to dry completely.
- Repeat steps until the wraps are finished.
Extra Credit
- We’re in the bees-iness of making the world a little less wasteful. So check out our nifty grocery storage guide for all you need to know to keep your food fresh for longer.
