Making your own beeswax wraps can be a fun, sustainable project — but achieving the perfect balance of stickiness, flexibility, and durability is trickier than it seems. At Honeybee Wrap, we craft every wrap in Byron Bay using Australian beeswax, tree resin, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and GOTS-certified cotton. While DIY wraps can work well, our professional formula ensures long-lasting performance that’s difficult to replicate at home.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re curious about making your own wraps.
Understanding the Ingredients
Before we dive into the FAQs, it’s helpful to know the role of each ingredient:
- Beeswax: The primary ingredient, beeswax provides structure and creates a natural moisture barrier plus it contains antibacterial properties that help keep the food fresh. It’s what makes your wrap solid yet pliable.
- Tree Resin: Resin adds tackiness and stiffness, allowing the wrap to cling to bowls, food, and itself. Without it, wraps can be limp or slimy.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil keeps wraps flexible and smooth, making them easier to handle and wrap around objects.
- Jojoba Oil: Jojoba adds softness and helps prevent cracking over time. It also helps the wrap maintain a supple texture.
- Cotton Fabric: The base of your wrap, cotton provides strength and durability while allowing the wax blend to adhere.
Note: While these ingredients are essential, the secret to professional-quality wraps lies in the exact ratios — something we keep proprietary at Honeybee Wrap to ensure optimal stickiness and longevity.
Can I Make My Own Beeswax Wraps?
Yes, you can! DIY beeswax wraps are achievable with a basic understanding of the ingredients and some simple tools. However, the final product may not match the performance of commercially-made wraps because small variations in wax, resin, and oils can drastically affect stickiness, flexibility, and durability.
Beeswax Wrap Recipe
While we can’t provide exact ratios, a basic DIY wrap will include:
- Beeswax
- Tree resin
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Cotton fabric
Tip: Each ingredient serves a specific purpose — beeswax for structure, resin for cling, oils for flexibility, and cotton for the base. Experimenting is fun, but achieving the perfect balance can take several tries.
What Makes Beeswax Wrap Sticky?
The stickiness of a wrap comes primarily from tree resin. When combined with beeswax and oils, it creates a gentle tack that allows wraps to seal around bowls and food. Without resin, or with too little, your wrap may feel slippery or limp.
How Do I Get My Beeswax Wrap to Stick?
If your wrap isn’t sticking:
- Ensure it has enough resin.
- Warm the wrap slightly with your hands — heat softens the wax and resin, helping it to cling.
- Avoid very thick or stiff fabric, which can prevent proper adhesion.
What Makes Beeswax Wrap Slimy?
Sliminess usually indicates too little resin or an excess of oils. Resin provides stiffness and cling, while beeswax and oils maintain flexibility. If you skip resin or overuse oils, the wrap can feel greasy or slippery.
Why Is My Homemade Wrap Too Soft?
A soft wrap is often caused by:
- Too much oil in relation to wax and resin
- Using low-melt beeswax or applying the coating too thinly
A soft wrap may not hold shape around bowls or food as well as a professional wrap.
Why Does My Homemade Wrap Crack?
Cracking occurs when a wrap has too much wax and not enough oil, or if it has dried out after repeated use. Proper balance between wax, oils, and resin prevents brittleness and keeps wraps pliable.
Can I Make Beeswax Wraps Without Resin?
Yes, but your wraps will have limited stickiness and may feel slippery. Resin is what allows wraps to cling and maintain shape. For professional-quality performance, resin is essential — which is why Honeybee Wrap includes it in every product.
Can I Use Any Type of Fabric?
Yes you can, but we use Cotton because it’s breathable, durable, and holds the wax blend well. Avoid fabrics with synthetic fibres, which don’t absorb wax evenly and can affect performance.
Can You Cut Beeswax Wrap with Scissors?
Absolutely! Beeswax wraps can be trimmed with ordinary scissors to fit bowls, cover food, or create smaller wraps for sandwiches and snacks. Just ensure the edges are neat to prevent fraying.
How Do I Care for Homemade Beeswax Wraps?
- Wash gently in cool water with mild soap.
- Avoid hot water or dishwashers — heat can melt the wax.
- Air dry flat or drape over a rack.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Refresh, Reuse, Replace
DIY wraps are a fun experiment, but for long-lasting, perfectly sticky wraps, you can trust Honeybee Wrap. Our Australian-made wraps are handcrafted using premium beeswax, resin, and oils for optimal performance. They’re ready to use, last for months, and help reduce single-use plastic every day.