HOW TO REMOVE WAX FROM LEMONS AND LIMES Many lemons and limes are coated with wax to keep their skin shiny and bright. The wax is considered safe to eat but it’s not so tasty when you zest them! It’s easy enough to remove the wax: Place the lemons or limes in a single layer in a colander and pour over several kettles full of boiling water. Using a clean (unsoaped) scrubbing sponge, scrape the outside of the fruit then rinse the fruit and wipe it dry before zesting.