How to Make Paper Waterproof

Many people look to make special moments, recipes and write-ups caught on paper waterproof. A great recipe, cut out of a newspaper or handwritten doesn’t stand up well to the water and moisture in the kitchen nor does your child’s essay about how wonderful you are. Many Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas along with others who are near and dear save newspaper tidbits about their sons, daughters and loved ones. Water, moisture and dampness are natural paper enemies. Saving and protecting the paper is necessary to keep it for a long time. Adding a layer of protection and turning ordinary paper into waterproof paper is a something you can do at home.

Waterproof Paper Recipe

Grate 1 ounce of Castile soap into small flakes.

Add 1 quart of water to a pot and place it on the stove.

Turn the stove on and begin heating the water.

Add 6 ounces of alum and the castile soap flakes.

Stir the mixture continuously until the alum and soap flakes dissolve.

Carefully add 8 ounces of beeswax to the pot. Continue to stir the mixture until the beeswax melts.

Pour the mixture into a shallow plastic or metal pan that is big enough to hold the paper you are preserving. Allow at least ½ inch around the edges of the paper to the walls of the pan.

Pick up the paper with metal tongs and gently lay the paper into the waterproofing mixture.

Allow the mixture to spread over the top of the paper, which generally only takes a few seconds.

Lay a sheet of wax paper on a flat, even surface.

Carefully lift the paper out of the waterproofer and lay it on the wax paper.

Let the paper cool and harden before handling.

Waterproofing Ideas

Children’s drawings

Special cards

Newspaper articles

Essays

Poems

Love letters

Recipes

Notes

Inspirational quotes

Newspaper pictures

If you have beautifully decorated wrapping paper or have drawn your own design, consider cutting out the design, dipping it in the waterproofing solution, drying it and displaying it as a decoration or a holiday ornament.

Waterproofing Tips

Only submerge one piece of paper at a time into the waterproofing solution because the papers may stick together.

Practice making waterproof paper with scrap paper until you get the hang of it.

Adjust the amount of ingredients to fit your needs. If you have many items to make waterproof, increase the amount of waterproofing materials. If you have only a small piece of paper, decrease the ingredients.

If the waterproofing solution begins to cool, reheat it to make it fluid.