How to Make a Waxed Cotton Tote Bag

After sharing her reusable food wraps tutorial on the blog, Spoonflower designer and maker Robbi Lindeman (saltlabs in the Marketplace) realized she could use her fabric waxing knowledge on other handmade projects like tote bags used at the farmers market. Using a Lightweight Cotton Twill tote bag featuring her design Market Day, Robbi will show you how to wax a bag all while she shares her insider tips along the way. Ready to get started?

Robbi: I learned a lot about how to “wax” fabric while creating reusable food wraps last year. It inspired me to “recycle” some of that knowledge to write this waxing cotton DIY tutorial. If you’re familiar with the food wraps tutorial you’ll notice some of the concepts and steps are the same.

What is waxed cotton?

Simply put, waxed cotton is cotton permeated with wax. It’s generally made by melting wax wicking into cotton that’s been heated, coating the fibers. It’s best applied to densely woven cotton. Most modern wax formulas to treat cotton are varying parts paraffin wax to beeswax.

Why wax your fabric in the first place?

“What is the point?”, you might be asking yourself.

First, a little context and some history. In the 15th century, when sailors noticed their wet sails caught and held the wind more efficiently, they started rubbing, originally fish oil, then eventually linseed oil (aka: flax seed oil), into their sails. Not only did this act to windproof them, the oiled sails also shed water, an important feature for life on the high seas. Intuitively, the seafarers began utilizing these scraps of oiled sails for their outer protective clothing.

By the mid-19th century, paraffin wax was discovered as a by-product of petroleum. For textile manufacturers, it became the better, cheaper substance for permeating cotton versus linseed oil which was less stable—hardening in the cold, melting in the heat and discoloring with age. Waxed cotton soon became the norm for outerwear fabric at the time.

Old Versus Now

Even in this era of modern, high-tech finishes and fabrics, waxed cotton holds its own for specific reasons. My main reason for waxing the cotton (that became my market bag) was for strength, durability and water-resistance. Groceries can be messy—containers can be heavy while fruits and/or vegetables are often wet. With sustainability in mind, we are all learning to carry our own cotton bags to the market so waxing them offers additional strength and protection. Waxed canvas is also an increasingly attractive material because it is considered eco-friendly and has a vintage charm beyond its functionality.

Testing, Testing, Testing

In my research, I have come across several different recipes and methods for waxing cotton and for this project I’ll introduce three Greenland Wax recipes.

After testing all the recipes, I’m recommending the 1:1 beeswax to paraffin formula because it has the highest percentage of beeswax. I prefer a natural ingredient over a petroleum-based one as well as a formula that’s a tad more environmentally-friendly.

Looking for a vegan alternative? While no Greenland wax recipe I found calls for carnauba wax, it has been suggested as a plant-based wax alternative to paraffin. I have not tested any recipe using carnauba.

Wax and Wane

The performance of each formula, though, might be best evaluated by: time of year, location and use of the item. One should tailor the mix accordingly (see wax melting point information below). Obviously overheated environments—like a hot car—are never good for either ingredient.

Three Greenland Wax Recipes

The below recipes suggest 12 oz will coat a yard of fabric.

Note: An advantage of modern waxed cotton over many synthetic materials is that it’s more difficult to ignite, less flammable, and doesn’t bead up or emit hazardous fumes. However, if sufficient heat is applied, it will burn but it is not considered a dangerously combustible material.

How to Make a Waxed Cotton Tote Bag

Wax Tote Bag Materials

Pro tip: Don’t wax your fabric before sewing as you don’t want wax on the sewing machine.

Tote Bag Tutorials

1. Prep Your Space

Prep your space by covering surfaces with kraft paper or a large, clean cloth like an old tablecloth.

2. Make the Wax Recipe

Measure out 6 ounces of beeswax and paraffin (grated pieces or pellets) and add to the wok or double boiler. Melt the ingredients together on a medium temperature. Stir using a wooden stick.

Caution must be taken in the melting process with these ingredients because they are flammable. Never leave the mixture unattended during the melting process. A low heat and careful attention are advisable. Beeswax has a melting point of approximately 145°F to 147°F (63°C to 64°C) and paraffin’s melting point is approximately 125°F – 133°F (52°C to 56°C).

3. Coat Your Bag with Wax

Starting at one corner of the bag, evenly brush the melted wax mixture with short strokes, covering small sections (6” square) at a time. Gradually cover the entire front and back sides of the bag. Apply well at the seams.

4. Ensure the Wax is Absorbed into the Fibers

Slowly run a hair dryer (or, with caution, a heat gun) over the entire bag. The wax mixture will slowly turn from a dull surface—to a shiny surface—and then back again to a dull surface once the wax has melted and been absorbed, coating the cotton fibers.

5. Let Your Bag Dry

Hang the bag and allow the wax to cure in a dry, warm area for 12–24 hours.

6. Clean Your Bag

Remove any excess waxy oils on the surface with a soft, clean cotton cloth, buffing lightly as you go.

Pro tip: Use alcohol to remove the waxy residue from your hands.

4 Rules for Caring for Waxed Cotton Tote Bag

Waxed cotton will repel dirt, just as it repels water. If needed, soft-brush off any stubborn dirt or debris and spray or rinse the waxed surface with cold water. If you’re dealing with a tough dirt spot, add a small amount of mild soap (NOT alcohol-based detergent) to spot clean. Rinse and allow to air dry. Then re-wax the spot—or the entire bag if it needs a refresh (i.e., when it’s no longer water-resistant).

Wax and cotton are natural products that can degrade over time and potentially lose their effectiveness. To help preserve the fabric, it will need occasional re-waxing. Be assured though, with proper maintenance, it’ll give you many, many years of reliable use.

The best thing about it?
It only gets better with age.

What DIY projects are you ready to treat with wax? Let us know in the comments below and then find the perfect design for your project in the Marketplace.

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