An innovative approach addressing ecological problems associated with scouring of cotton-based textiles was developed. The innovative scouring method is based on the use of beta-cyclodextrin in the presence of a wetting agent. beta-cyclodextrin is able to accommodate the wax in its cavity, complex with it and dissolve it together with other cotton impurities by the aid of a wetting agent, thereby effecting their removal. The work comprises treatment of desized cotton and polyester/cotton fabrics with beta-cyclodextrin and a wetting agent under a variety of conditions. Variables studied include concentration of beta-cyclodextrin, chemical nature and concentration of the wetting agent, pH of the scouring bath, and temperature and time of scouring. The samples were monitored for the residual wax percent and wettability. The scouring performance of the innovative method was compared with that of the conventional method. Chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids and conductivity of the wastewater effluent discharged by the two methods were also determined and compared. The comparison reveals the advantages of the new method in minimizing the degradation of the cotton and polyester/cotton fabrics, which occur during conventional scouring and the persistence of such advantage even after bleaching. The mode of wax removal during the innovative scouring and the impact of the latter on the environment were discussed.