How to Preserve Leaves in Wax Paper

Preserving leaves can preserve memories of nature walks, or provide a reference for future plant identification.

You can easily preserve leaves from nature walks by pressing them between two pieces of waxed paper using an iron. Preserved leaves can enliven a scrapbook, or create an interesting work of art when placed in a frame.

Things You'll Need

• Leaves
• Waxed paper
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the iron to medium low.

2. Cut two pieces of waxed paper of equal size. The size of the paper depends upon the size of your leaf.

3. Sandwich the leaf between the two pieces of waxed paper. Position the leaf to ensure there is at least a 1-inch margin between the edge of the leaf and the edge of the waxed paper.

4. Place the leaf sandwiched in waxed paper on the ironing board. Iron the entire top of the wax paper gently in a back-and-forth and side-to-side motion, paying careful attention not to allow the iron to be positioned on one section of the paper for more than a few seconds. Continue to iron for two to three minutes.

5. Allow your leaf creation to cool for five minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• For unique keepsakes of a family vacation, collect leaves during your holiday and preserve them at home.

• Only adults should operate the iron.

References

• Squiglys Playhouse: Leaf Art
• Step By Step Child Care: Leaf Projects
• Home Training Tools: Preserving Autumn Leaves