Making Your Own Beeswax Cloth: It’s That Easy!
Beeswax cloths are a recyclable and ecological alternative to disposable films. Here we explain how you can easily make a beeswax cloth yourself.
Cling film and aluminium foil cause a lot of waste! The recyclable alternative is a beeswax cloth, which you can easily make yourself and use in many ways. All you need is a few scraps of cloth and beeswax to make an ecological packaging option for yourself. These cloths are also perfect as a birthday or Christmas present. Have fun trying them out!
Make beeswax cloth yourself: Instruction
You Need:
- 100 % cotton fabric in the desired size (washed, organic quality)
- Beeswax (pellets, pay attention to organic quality)
- Some coconut oil if required
- Pinking Shears
- Melting crucibles
- Wide brush (make sure that the brush does not lose any hair)
- 2 large pieces of baking paper
- Iron
That’s how it’s done:
- Cut the fabric to the desired size with pinking scissors: the pinking scissors prevent fraying.
- Place a layer of baking paper on your work surface (larger than your piece of cloth). Position the cotton cloth on top.
- Melt the beeswax pellets in a crucible or in a glass in a water bath. You can stir in some coconut oil, this will make the cloths softer later.
- As soon as the wax is liquid, spread it quickly on the fabric with a brush. It is not necessary to spread the wax evenly everywhere: By ironing it later, the wax layer is evenly distributed. It is only important that you work quickly, as the wax will quickly harden again.
- Place a second layer of baking paper on the fabric.
- Iron over the baking paper at medium heat so that the beeswax spreads well underneath. Any excess wax is pushed away from the fabric onto the baking paper.
- Remove the cloth from the baking paper as quickly as possible, otherwise it will dry out. Hold it up in a straight position for a few minutes until it has dried.
Beeswax cloth: Application
- The cloths are perfect for wrapping fruit or vegetables or covering bowls and dishes with food. The beeswax cloth is also perfect for the break bread.
- Simply hold the cloths briefly in your hand – your own body heat makes the wax soft and the cloths can be bent into any desired shape.
- However, meat and fish should not be packed with it!
- Use a separate cloth for onions or garlic, as the smell is easily absorbed.
Caution: The cloths are not suitable for wrapping warm food, as the wax could then melt. You should also not leave the cloths directly in the sun or next to the heater!
Cleaning the beeswax cloth
The wipes can be easily cleaned with a little detergent and lukewarm water. Do not wash the beeswax cloths too hot!
Tip: If cracks appear in the wax after some time, you can easily iron them out again by placing the cloth between two layers of baking paper and using the iron again.