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How to Preserve Fall Leaves with Beeswax.
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How to Preserve Fall Leaves with Beeswax

Learn how to preserve fall leaves with beeswax so you can keep the colorful fall leaves vibrant for months or even years to come! You can use the wax-dipped leaves for so many fun projects, and the process is just plain fun too!
Author: Laura Radniecki

Materials

  • Beeswax
  • Double Boiler, Crockpot or Pan A beeswax-only pan!
  • Colorful Fall Leaves
  • Tongs
  • Parchment Paper

Instructions

  • Carefully melt beeswax over low heat.
    Beeswax melts at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and can be flammable at higher temps, so use low heat to melt it.
  • Continue slowly melting the beeswax over low heat (stirring if you want, but not necessary) until all of the wax is liquid.
    Make sure you use a pan or crockpot that you will forevermore ONLY use for beeswax because you'll never be able to get all the wax out of the pan.
    (I bought my pan at a local thrift store!)
  • Using tongs, carefully dip your fall leaves into the melted wax.
  • Just in and out, quick enough to cover the leaf completely, on both sides, in beeswax.
    Depending on how much moisture is in the leaf, it will begin bubbling, splattering, and crackling immediately.
    I only left my leaves in the wax for less than one second before pulling them out because of the amount of bubbling and splattering.
    If you use dry leaves or press them in a book for a day or two first, that will help get rid of moisture so they splatter less.
  • After dipping and removing the leaf from the wax, hold it above the pan so any remaining wax can drip off.
  • Then lay the leaf on parchment paper to cool and harden; a few minutes maybe.
    Repeat for all of the leaves!

Notes

  • Use dry leaves, or press damp leaves in the pages of a book for a few days first to remove moisture. This will help the leaves splatter less when they're in the wax.
  • If you're worried about burns, you can use work gloves or cleaning gloves to help protect your hands.
  • Pour the remaining liquid wax into a clean plastic container so it can harden. This is how beeswax molds work - melted wax is poured in and then cooled. Once cooled, the wax pops right out of the mold and is ready for storage!