Oh no, my favorite jeans! How to get beeswax out of clothes

This post was originally written by our former owner, Leah, and remains one of our most-read posts. While our voice has evolved, the advice still holds up!

As the General Manager, I spent most of my time in the office, but this day I was showing some guests through the shop. When asked about the configuration of melters, I was explaining our filtration system and I lifted a filter from the melter, unaware that it was currently in use. I tipped it forward to show it off and out poured the melted beeswax splattering all over the floor... and all over my favorite jeans!

We’re not talking about a few splashes—this was a full-on spill, from thigh to hem. I was so embarrassed, but didn’t want to cry over my jeans in front of everyone.

We didn't get a photo on the day but our workshop manager Becky agreed to pose for this photo in her waxy jeans! 

The first thing I knew: don’t try to remove beeswax when it’s warm—you’ll only work it deeper into the fabric. As soon as I got home, I took off my jeans and put them in the freezer overnight. Thinking about it all night, I decided to toss the jeans in cold water before scraping, to help prevent the fabric from absorbing any remaining wax.

Working one pant leg at a time, I laid them flat and used a paring knife to gently scrape off the beeswax. It came off so easily, I was smiling. After a regular wash and dry, there was no sign of my silly mistake—and my favorite jeans were as good as new.

If you’ve spilled molten wax onto clothing or a tablecloth, I suggest giving this method a try.

If your spill landed on wall-to-wall carpet (a little harder to fit in the freezer), try this: place a paper towel or absorbent cloth over the wax and run a warm iron over it. Keep moving and replacing the towel as needed until all the wax is absorbed.

Good luck!

– Leah

Looking to work with beeswax yourself? Check out our Raw Beeswax for Crafting – perfect for DIY projects, candle making, and more.

Updated July 2025