How to Use Otter Wax for Waterproofing Fabric

Back in 2019 I sewed with ​Wax Canvas to make a duffel bag for my husband​, it was a fun project and the duffel bag has held up great. I also made a travel bag…and have been disappointed with it ever since. Since the Wax Canvas cannot be ironed, I couldn’t add interfacing to the outer fabric. Interfacing just the lining is never my favorite because the bulkier seams are toward the outside of the bag. Add that Wax Canvas just comes in solid colors and I was left looking for something else. Recently I made the Hudson Diagonal Zip Pouch (a C&V Sewing Club Exclusive) with regular canvas and tried Otter Wax for waterproofing the fabric and was so pleased with the results!

Prepare the project for waxing

Otter Wax is a bar of fabric wax that you rub onto the item you want to waterproof, to essentially make any canvas a waxed canvas. Since I wanted to use Fusible Thermolam with my Hudson Diagonal Zip Pouches, I first sewed them just like I’d sew any other pouch. I used canvas weight fabric, so that my pouches would be nice and sturdy.

Tips for Applying

I applied the wax to the outside of the bag only. It was a simple process, just rub the wax bar onto the fabric to get an even coat. It took about an hour to get this bag thorouhly coated. I took it outside on a warm day while my family was reading, and just rubbed the wax evenly while we were sitting around. The most difficult part was getting around the handle, but with some patience I was able to get that area covered as well.

Here are a few tips:

1. Hold the bar with the wrapper and apply from the short end.
2. Use multiple thin coats rather than applying too thick at first
3. Rub the corner into the thread to wax the threads and seams as well
4. Rub in excess wax with your fingers
5. Let the wax cure for 3-4 days in a warm place, the package says 1-2, but I was much happier after four.

Results of Waxing

The wax needs a few days to cure, otherwise it feels tacky. Even after several weeks it feels a little tacky, but hasn’t left a residue on anything and water on it does bead up instead of soaking through. I am excited to use these as travel toiletrey bags and not have to worry about placing them on the counter.

Care for Waxed Fabric

Caring for the waxed fabric is much the same as caring for wax canvas. It must be spot cleaned and cannot be ironed. If the wax seems to be thinning, it can be reapplied. I’m excited to keep using these bags and I’ll come back and update this post in a while with any noticable changes.

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