13 Interesting Ways to Use Beeswax
Beeswax is an amazing natural product with a multitude of uses! Learn different ways that beeswax can be used around your homestead in this post. From skincare products to kitchen applications, beeswax does the trick!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
As a beekeeper, I love having an abundance of honey, but beeswax is just as nice to have on hand! There are so many uses for beeswax on the homestead. From skincare products to kitchen applications, beeswax can play a key role.
Where does beeswax come from?
Honeybees make beeswax and use it to create their hexagonal combs. Each of the wax cells they carefully construct serves as a nursery for baby bees or a storage unit for nectar and pollen. Additionally, when the honey in the hive reaches the correct moisture content, the bees use wax to seal it off for safekeeping.
Beekeepers can collect wax during the honey harvest and render it down later. To learn more about how I harvest honey from my apiary, click here. For step-by-step directions to render beeswax from cappings, see my other article!
Sourcing Beeswax
If you’re not a beekeeper, you can buy pure beeswax from a variety of sources. Local bee club websites usually feature a list of vendors and their offerings and that’s a good place to start. You can also purchase beeswax online but be weary because it often contains fillers and additives.
Pure beeswax should be labeled as such and will only have one ingredient listed. It is usually yellow in color and gives off a sweet, honeylike smell.
Using Beeswax
Beeswax is sold in bricks or pellets. You can use a knife or cheese grater to pare down a brick of beeswax. Pelletized beeswax is convenient because it can be measured and used without a hassle.
Beeswax is solid at room temperature and will need to be melted for use in projects. I make a double boiler with a candle pouring pot for melting beeswax. You probably will want a vessel used solely for this purpose because it is hard to clean!
Here are some creative ideas for using this amazing natural product!
1. Use Beeswax to Make Lotion Bars
You can use equal parts beeswax, shea butter, and olive oil to make a simple, moisturizing lotion bar. It works wonders on dry, cracked skin!
2. Use Beeswax to Make Salves
Make a simple salve by combining pure beeswax with a liquid oil. I make a poison ivy itch relief salve with jewelweed infused olive oil and beeswax. For more on foraging and using wild jewelweed, click here to read my other article.
3. Use Beeswax to Make Lip Balm
Beeswax makes amazing lip balms that nourish and protect. For my beeswax and mango butter-based lip balm recipe, click here. For my beeswax and tallow lip balm recipe, click here.
4. Use Beeswax in Soap Making
The addition of beeswax can make a harder, longer lasting homemade bar of soap. I have added beeswax to my four-ingredient cold process goat milk soap recipe with good results. I discounted the coconut oil by 1% and added melted wax. Be prepared for the soap batter to reach trace more quickly when wax is added!
5. Use Beeswax to Make Beard Balm
You can make beard balm with one part beeswax, one part shea butter, and two parts olive oil. Don’t have a beard? Use this hair product to tame frizz or flyways too!
6. Use Beeswax to Waterproof Wooden Kitchen Utensils
A thin coating of beeswax and tallow or coconut oil can help waterproof and protect your wooden kitchen utensils. Rub it on your spoons and cutting boards to keep them in good working order.
7. Use Beeswax to Make Food Wraps
Make a beeswax wrap for your leftovers by applying a thin coat of melted beeswax to a piece of cotton fabric. These work great for storing homemade cheese and sandwiches. Just warm them with your hands and then mold it around the item.
8. Use Beeswax to Make Leather Conditioner
Bring your old boots or worn horse tack back to life with a beeswax leather conditioner. It simultaneously softens, protects, and adds shine. For my tried-and-true homemade saddle soap recipe with beeswax, tallow and neatsfoot oil, click here.
9. Use Beeswax to Make Candles
Beeswax candles are slow and clean burning and they smell decadent! Check out this tutorial to make homemade candles with soy flakes, beeswax, and coconut oil.
10. Use Beeswax as a Lubricant
If you have a squeaky door or a stubborn zipper, a little bit of beeswax can be the solution! Beeswax acts as natural lubricant and is non-corrosive to metals.
11. Use Beeswax to Seal an Envelope
Add elegance to your invitations with an envelope seal made with beeswax and fabric glue. Stamp with your custom seal and make a statement.
12. Use Beeswax to Make a Fire Starter
Make a fire starter by pouring melted beeswax over pinecones, cinnamon sticks, or other natural dried materials inside a mold. Add a wick and don’t forget to pack it on your next camping trip!
13. Use Beeswax to Grow Mushrooms
A layer of beeswax can protect the inoculated holes in a shiitake log from molding or drying out while the mycelium colonizes and matures. At the time of fruiting, the wax will be pushed out and a mushroom will take its place.
Eager to use more natural, bee-given goodness in your daily life? Check out 19 amazing uses for honey in this other post!
