How to Preserve Flowers With Wax Paper
It is said that flowers are the language of love, but their beauty fades quickly leaving nothing but a memory. Preserving flowers as a memento of special events is a common practice. Many prefer to air-dry flowers to use in floral displays, or to dry individual petals for potpourri. Although dried flowers provide long-lasting color as a reminder of summer days, there is nothing quite like a waxed flower when it comes to preserving its natural color and beauty.
Place several layers of newspaper on the table or work bench. Layer flowers or petals in a single layer, with spaces between individual flowers. Lay the flower with the "face" pointing upward and the stem end down.
- It is said that flowers are the language of love, but their beauty fades quickly leaving nothing but a memory.
- Many prefer to air-dry flowers to use in floral displays, or to dry individual petals for potpourri.
Cover with several layers of newspaper. Place a heavy object, like a brick or heavy book, on the newspaper to press the flowers and remove moisture.
Check flowers daily, and remove when the flowers are pressed and moisture free. Flowers should be slightly pliable and not brittle.
Cut two sections of waxed paper large enough to hold your flowers and petals. An 8 to 10 inch section is easy to manage. Wax flowers in several small batches instead of one large one.
- Cover with several layers of newspaper.
- Check flowers daily, and remove when the flowers are pressed and moisture free.
Cover the ironing board with a protective cloth to prevent getting wax on the ironing board.
Lay one piece of waxed paper on the cloth, and layer flowers and petals on the waxed paper, leaving 1/2 to 1 inch between individual petals.
Position the second piece of waxed paper over the flowers. Cover with a cloth to protect the iron.
Set the iron on medium-high and press the cloth. Push down slightly to melt the wax. Check to see if wax has melted. Melted waxed paper looks clear. If the waxed paper is still opaque, recover and press again.
- Cover the ironing board with a protective cloth to prevent getting wax on the ironing board.
Allow the flowers to cool, and cut the flowers or petals apart, leaving a thin sliver of waxed paper around the edges. Remove the waxed paper, if you prefer, by gently pulling from the corner to peel it free of the flowers.
Use waxed flowers in crafts, on stationary or display a collection of loose petals in a decorative dish.
Tip
Press small flowers, like pansies, baby's breath and violets between layers of newspaper. Press individual petals of larger flowers, like roses or carnations.
Colored leaves and waxy flower petals do not require pre-pressing or drying.
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References
Tips
- Press small flowers, like pansies, baby's breath and violets between layers of newspaper. Press individual petals of larger flowers, like roses or carnations.
- Colored leaves and waxy flower petals do not require pre-pressing or drying.
Writer Bio
Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with more than four years' experience in online writing. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in teaching 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5.
