What is beeswax used for? This is one of the typical questions that’s been around for ages – but no one really bothers to explore the topic in-depth. If we particularly talk about the best used for beeswax around a farm home, there are a lot of DIY crafts you can try out. So, think about how helpful these beeswaxes can be in terms of kitchen, cooking, and home appliances!
Beeswax is natural, and that’s why it smells so good. Its secrete wax esters are produced from its wax glands. It was once used to create beeswax candles, but it now has a wide range of applications.
For instance, beeswax makes excellent lotions and creams, works as a coating for wood or leather, and even makes DIY shoe polish.
This article will look into some of the most effective uses for beeswax and what it’s beneficial for. Read on to find out which incredible items you can make with this natural wax.
Beeswax as an eco-friendly alternative
Beeswax is a product that will always be in demand — it’s helpful in every way, and there’s nothing quite like it. Not only is it highly versatile, but it’s also a sustainable and environmentally beneficial material.
For instance, Organic beeswax food wrap doesn’t leach chemicals that are harmful to the environment or your health.
That’s because the honey bee hive produces melted wax which is biodegradable and impervious to oxygen and moisture. Its natural ingredients can also help you avoid plastic food packaging that can pollute our planet and harm wildlife.
Benefits with Beeswax
There are numerous benefits of beeswax usage that keep our environment the safest. Here’s a quick look into the facts,
- Beeswax offers reusable food wraps that are undoubtedly eco-friendly and are excellent natural alternatives to plastic wrap.
- Beeswax is made with natural wax, essential oils like coconut oil, mineral oil, and honey — to create a moisturizer that heals your skin and nourishes the hair scalp. You can also mix olive oil and cocoa butter with beeswax to create a lip balm that softens your chapped lips.
- Beeswax is used to treat pain, swelling, and inflammation resulting from many ailments. Also, shea butter, jojoba oil, and beeswax are the base of any great bar soap recipe that moistens dry skin cells and prevents skin rashes.
- White beeswax and yellow beeswax treated with alcohol can be used as a thickening agent, add flavor, and improve food shelf life.
- Another eco-friendly product is Beeswax crayons, which are superior to paraffin or soy-based alternatives as it’s handcrafted from pure beeswax and 100% food-grade dyes.
Don’t forget to read our article about Becoming a Beekeeper of Honey Bees if you truly want to harvest your own beeswax!
Are There Reasons I Shouldn’t Use Beeswax?
Beeswax is a natural wax that honey bees use to construct their hives. From lip balms to candles and homemade furniture polish, the uses for beeswax are nearly endless.
However, not every beeswax can be relied upon in terms of homemade cosmetics and edible cooking ingredients.
That’s because unprocessed beeswax can cause skin irritation and skin rashes, while such edible cooking ingredients can contribute to heart diseases or certain types of cancer.
Beeswax affects our cholesterol levels, which can be harmful if the person isn’t doing anything to control it, although good for one’s health.
What is Beeswax Used for Around a Farm?
There are three main different uses for beeswax: home, crafting, and farming. Each application for beeswax has a slightly different use, so let’s briefly look at each of them to discover how you can use this honey production to your advantage.
Beeswax in Animal Care at a Farm
A common misconception is that beeswax is toxic to farm animals. Instead, this natural wax can help strengthen their immune system, help mend wounds, and fight infection.
Softened beeswax can be used in a number of farming ingredients if it’s combined with other natural products.
Beeswax Candles – The Most Common Use
Beeswax candles are made through the extraction process of pure beeswax and a wick and, as such, produce an almost-pure white light.
While most candle lights fall within the visible spectrum, the light produced by beeswax candles can also contain negative ions that clean the air and invigorate the body.
Beeswax candles burn longer, dripless, and smell better naturally, making them an excellent choice for creating a home environment that is relaxing and enjoyable.
As Lubricate for Wooden Drawers
We all have sticky drawers or cabinet doors that make opening and closing difficult. But you can fix that problem in an instant with a little bit of hot wax!
Just make sure not to let it get too hot as beeswax has a low melting point. Then rub the wax into the affected areas of your drawer, especially around the edges.
Your drawers might be harder to move for a couple of hours, but the wax will get easier to glide after you wear it in.
Using Beeswax for Air Purification
Beeswax candles are one of the most effective ways to clean the air at home. While most candle lights fall within the visible spectrum, the light produced by beeswax candles can also contain negative ions that attach to positive ions in the air — like dust, pollen, mold, and odor — and helps clean the air you breathe.
Beeswax seal is an excellent substance for sealing envelopes
Using a beeswax seal gives your letters and envelopes a touch of luxury. The seal also adds a bit of weight to the envelope, helping it to stand out from the rest. If you’re looking for a way to add a personal touch to your correspondence, beeswax seals are an excellent option.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using beeswax seals. First, make sure the beeswax is at room temperature before beginning. If the wax is too cold, it will be difficult to work with. Second, use a light touch when applying the wax to the paper. Too much pressure will cause the wax to crack. Finally, be careful not to get any wax on your clothing or furniture.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful beeswax seals that will add a touch of class to your letters and envelopes.
You can use beeswax to make a sewing aid
This is a real hidden DIY-crafting-on-steroids example of what you can do with beeswax. It’s a sewing aid! You can coat the ends of your thread with it so that the thread doesn’t fray, making it easier to sew. Simply take a small piece of beeswax and rub it on the end of the thread before you start sewing, voila, you’ve created a waxed thread. This is an easy way to make sure your thread lasts longer and doesn’t fray as easily.
You can also make your own furniture polish with a thin coat of beeswax seal
Another excellent use for beeswax is as a furniture polish, especially for wooden furniture. You can make your own by mixing equal parts of beeswax and olive oil. Apply it to your furniture with a soft cloth, and then buff it to a shine. The beeswax will help protect the wood from scratches and water damage.
Beeswax absolute works as a wonderful alternative to perfumery products
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to perfumes and colognes, try beeswax absolute. It has a sweet, honey-like scent that is perfect for those who are sensitive to synthetic fragrances. You can apply it directly to your skin or add it to a homemade lotion or soap. Great for people with sensitive skin.
You can also use this natural wax to clean up various farming materials
Beeswax is an excellent natural material for cleaning up various farming materials. You can use it to clean tools, equipment, and even your hands. Simply rub a small amount of beeswax on the dirtied surface and wipe it away. The wax will leave behind a protective barrier that will help keep the dirt and grime from coming
Using Beeswax When Cooking and Around the Kitchen
The cooking world runs on the convenience and versatility of beeswax. So, here are just a few of the more common cooking uses of this amazing ingredient:
Beeswax Wrap
You can create your own food wrap from beeswax, which has many uses and is as simple to use as plastic wrap.
All you need to do is heat your beeswax in a double boiler, then pour it into a mold to create a long-lasting, reusable food wrap.
Just make sure you don’t use it on raw meat or fish, as the wax can transfer bacteria.
Non-Sticky Coating
Applying beeswax to your frying pan is probably the most common use for this product. It is a very effective way to lengthen the life of your pans and prevent them from becoming sticky.
However, it should be noted that beeswax is a natural product, so it will not protect your pans from being scratched or damaged by metal utensils.
Beeswax in Baking Needs
When you’re baking, beeswax can be a great additive. Add just a few drops of melted beeswax to your pastry and see how your dish is lifted to new heights.
Using beeswax in cakes and buns gives it a unique flavor and taste. Beeswax is graded as a food product, so it has certain health benefits for human consumption.
Other Sub-Categories Based on Need/Volume
When beeswax is used in large volumes, it can range in purpose from a sweetener to an emulsifier and even a thickening agent.
Different types of beeswax can also be used in cleaning grills and other kitchen utensils. Besides, it makes a great substance to seal food containers and keep contents fresh.
Beeswax Crafts
Crafts made with beeswax deserves awards for their creativity and lasting quality. Beautiful decorations and goods can be made from beeswax, including,
- Preserve your favorite leaves by encasing them in beeswax. Pulling out a preserved leaf and admiring it is a great way to reminisce about Autumn and the beauty of the changing seasons.
- You can also use several beeswax decorative stuff to decorate a Christmas tree or your home during Christmas.
- Beeswax is also great for creating handmade luminaires. It gives off a warm and romantic ambiance. They’re great for decorating parties, weddings, and other events.
Conclusion
The best uses of beeswax are far-reaching. There are plenty of best uses for beeswax around a farm. We’ve talked about what is beeswax used for and the better ways to use this natural product in this article.
The uses of beeswax include cooking, baking, skincare, and more — without the use of dangerous chemicals. Therefore, it’s considered one of the safest and most effective natural ingredients that have potential health benefits to enhance people’s daily lifestyles.
While there should be no severe issues with natural beeswax, it can cause mild to moderate side effects in some cases. A number of users have reported suffering from stomach or skin issues when consuming this product.
Hence, immediately consult a healthcare provider if you suspect that a beeswax product has also caused you such symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beeswax
Beeswax is a type of wax secreted by worker bees, also referred to as Genus Apis, to shape the cell and tunnel walls, waterproof the hive, and create honeycombs.
Beeswax has many applications, including essential oils making, candles, cosmetics, furniture polish, cork stoppers, lubricants, and sealants.
Of course, beeswax is edible. While people usually associate beeswax with honey, the product is actually a lot more versatile. Melted beeswax can be used to make candies, glazes for meat, and desserts. It’s also popular among pastry chefs because of its shiny texture and ability to add a subtle honey flavor to any dish.
Beeswax is a natural moisturizer that helps prevent skin dehydration. It also acts as a barrier to your skin to lock in moisture while exfoliating the top layer of skin.
Beeswax has a low molecular weight that prevents it from being sticky, even when applied heavily — making it ideal for use on dry or oily skin alike.
For some vegans, honey and beeswax are considered non-vegan products because they come directly from bees, a living animal. Vegans are against animal exploitation and believe that harvesting honey and wax violates bees’ lives.
Honey bees must consume approximately 6-8 pounds of honey in order to generate 1 pound of wax. It takes about 20,000 bees working for about a month to make one pound of wax.
Beeswax candles are known to be good at removing toxins. They’re often used in detoxes and cleansing programs as they can remove toxins in the air. Beeswax produces negative ions when burned, which consume pollution from the air.
Beeswax has become an increasingly sought-after natural material. However, this increase in demand leads to unethical practices that put the lives of bees in peril. Therefore, we should avoid using beeswax products too often.
