Tripod member Squarshy asks:
What's the best way to remove old candle wax from a painted wood surface? The paint is harsh flat white (courtesy of my frugal landlord) so stains and other stuff just smear across it when I try to clean it. I'm afraid I'll remove some paint if I try to scrub the wax off.

Handy Girl Bernadette suggests:
What you're going to need to do is apply a bit of heat. Before you get down to the surface wax, though, you'll want to remove as much of the wax as you can with a sharp razor blade. Leave just a thin layer of wax remaining so that you don't scrape the paint. Oddly enough, getting the wax off uses the same principle as getting it on there — the wick method. All you will need is your iron and a couple sheets of newspaper. Lay the newspaper on top of the wax and iron with the preheated iron. The newspaper will "wick" the wax off the surface and absorb it into itself. As is always the rule when it comes to wood finishes, try this out in an inconspicuous spot or test block first.

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