How to Clean Your Guardian Bee Protective Gear

As you care for your bees, your beekeeping apparel might accumulate dirt, sweat, wax, and grime.

This sweat and grime can make you uncomfortable and negatively impact your suit’s longevity. Built-up grime can cause the material of your suit to degrade and may cause rips or tears that require you to replace your suit. That’s why it’s essential to clean your suits regularly, at the very least.

Cleaning Your Beekeeping Suit & Jacket

Check your pockets: It’s essential to remove any dirt or debris that might be hiding inside your bee suit or jacket’s pockets. If you were to leave a rock inside, it may damage the lining or even cause a tear.

Remove the Veil: The beekeeping veil requires a different cleaning method to avoid tearing the netting. You’ll want to unzip it from the suit or beekeeping jacket and set it to the side.

Pre-treat stains: Using excess detergent on your suit can cause damage. So to use less detergent overall, it is suggested that you pre-treat all stains before throwing them in the wash.

Grass and dirt stains can suffice with a regular pre-treatment. For wax, you might be able to scrape most of it off with your nails. You can soak off any remaining wax with hot water to avoid it clogging drains. Propolis stains will be nigh impossible to remove; however, you can lighten these stains.

Zip Up & Connect All Closures: Properly fasten all pockets or zippers before placing your suit or jacket in the washing machine. If possible, you may want to use a fastener to keep the zipper in place.

Wash: To avoid contaminating other clothes or staining your suit or jacket, wash it on its own or with other beekeeping apparel. Wash on the gentle setting with a minimal amount of detergent that is fragrance-free. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.

Hang to Dry: Once your bee suit is clean, do not dry it using a machine. Machine drying will damage the material of your suit and might lead to tears. Instead, hang your suit to dry on a rack near a sunny window.

Cleaning Your Beekeeping Pullover

Check your pockets: Make sure to check your jacket or pullover’s pockets before placing them in the wash, clearing them of any debris or rocks that might damage the lining.

Pre-treat stains: Using excess detergent can cause damage. Pre-treat grass or dirt stains to help remove them without using more detergent.

For wax, you might be able to scrape most of it off with your nails. You can soak off any remaining wax with hot water to avoid it clogging drains. Propolis stains will be nigh impossible to remove; however, you can lighten them with pre-treatment.

Zip Up & Connect All Closures: Zip up or fasten all closures before placing your jacket or pullover within the washing machine. If possible, you may want to use a fastener to keep the zipper in place.

Wash: Make sure to hand wash your pullover on its own or with other beekeeping apparel. Keeping them separate prevents your other clothes from being contaminated. Since the veil is permanently attached, you must wash the pullover by hand only. Use a light, fragrance-free detergent. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.

Hang to Dry: Once your pullover is clean, do not dry it using a machine. Machine drying will damage the material of your suit and might lead to tears. Instead, hang your suit to dry on a rack near a sunny window.

Cleaning Your Beekeeping Pants

Check your pockets: Remove any dirt, debris, rocks, or sticks that might have fallen inside your bee pants’ pockets, as they might damage the lining.

Pre-treat stains: Avoid using too much detergent by pre-treating grass or dirt stains. Doing so avoids the detergent degrading the fabric of your bee pants.

For wax, you might be able to scrape most of it off with your nails. You can soak off any remaining wax with hot water to avoid it clogging drains. Propolis stains will be nigh impossible to remove; however, pre-treatment can lighten these stains.

Zip Up & Connect All Closures: Properly fasten any pockets or zippers on your pants before placing them in the wash.

Wash: To avoid damage or contamination of other clothes, wash your beekeeping pants only with other beekeeping apparel. Use minimal, fragrance-free detergent, and set your machine gently. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.

Hang to Dry: Once your pants are clean, do not dry them using a machine. Machine drying will damage the material of your pants and might lead to tears. Instead, hang your suit to dry on a rack near a sunny window.

Cleaning Your Veil

To wash your beekeeping veils, you will want to hand-wash them to avoid damaging the netting. Use a small amount of fragrance-free detergent in lukewarm water. Gently scrub to remove stains. Once it is clean, hang it to dry.

Guardian Bee Apparel

Since 2016, Guardian Bee Apparel has been about beekeeping apparel made for beekeepers by beekeepers. Our founders have worked hard to design the perfect suit for beginners and hobbyists. Our range of quality-of-life features will assist you in caring for your bees even in the hottest weather.