Beeswax Recipes

I've had many individuals ask about specific uses for beeswax. I'll be the first to admit I am in no way an expert on all the various uses of beeswax. There is a book  Super Formulas Arts & Crafts...How to make more than 360 useful products that contain honey and beeswax by Elaine C. White The book is no longer published. I searched for permission on adding some her recipes to our website. I received permission as long as I credited her and the book and gave the phone number on how to get ahold of them. Call 662-465-6444 (this is not Valley Hills Press, but a motorcycle shop--explain that you are interested in the book and they can help you). Below are several of the recipes I've been asked about. I have not specifically used these recipes---if you use any of them I would enjoy remarks back that I could add to the page.

WARM WAX TREATMENT

Warm Wax treatments are approved by the Arthritis Foundation to help relieve sore, painful joints caused by arthritis. Wax treatments provide moist heat, increase blood circulation, and ease stiffness due to joint inflammation. 5 pounds wax 2 cups mineral oil Step 1: Melt the ingredients in an oven set between 170-200 degrees F. Stir to mix theoil and wax. Step 2: Remove the mixture from the oven and allow it to cool until there is a film of cooled wax on the surface (about 125 degrees F.) Test the wax to be sure it is very warm, but not uncomfortable. Step 3: The body part treated must be clean and dry. Dip the body part into the wax mixture and withdraw it. If the hand is being treated, keep the fingers apart. Do this a few more times until there is a thick coating of wax. Step 4: Return the body part to the wax and leave it there (15-30 minutes) until the mixture cools. Step 5: Remove the body part and peel off the wax. Save the wax in a closed container to use again. The treatment may be repeated. The mixture will melt more quickly now that the oil and wax are combined.

CHEESE WAX

After the air-drying period, when cheese has developed a hard, dry rind, it must be protected with wax to prevent mold and further drying. Ounces by weight: 13.5 ounces beeswax 2.5 ounces vegetable shortening Heat the ingredients in an oven at 200 degrees F. until combined. Remove the wax from the oven and wait for it to reach 160-180 degrees F. Dip the cheese and remove it with one quick, smooth motion. Repeat this step until the wax is about 1/16t-inch thick.

LEATHER WATERPROOFING
	1/4 cup lanolin 2 Tablespoons beeswax 2 tablespoons petroleum jelly Combine the ingredients and melt them in a microwave or a double boiler. Brush the warm mixture over leather. Let this stand for a few hours andpolish it with a cloth to remove excess waterproofing.

LEATHER SOFTENER

With age and exposure, leather such as work shoes, hunting boots and baseball gloves becomes hard. This formula softens leather and makes it waterproof. 1 ounce (weight) beeswax 8 ounces (weight) petroleum jelly Melt the ingredients in a microwave or double boiler. Brush the hot mixture onto the leather and allow it to penetrate. If possible, place the item in hot sun to help the mixture penetrate the leather. Polish the leather with a cloth to remove excess waterproofing.

CUTTING BOARDS

When cutting boards are wet, the wood fiber swells and frays. Waxing a wooden cutting board waterproofs it and extends the life of the cutting surface. The board must be perfectly dry, clean and smooth. Melt beeswax in a microwave and brush or pour it onto the cutting board. After the wax has cooled, rub over it with an iron set on medium heat. Use cloths or paper towels to wipe off the excess wax. (This is personal note from Deb--I wonder if using a hair dryer on high would work just as well for 'melting' the wax into the wood)