Thank you ladies for your suggestions. Since my original post, I have used a combination of Jingl & Nina's advice...I have washed it many, many times (using elbow grease) with wood soap. I THINK that it is beginning to look a bit better (or I am getting used to it!). I looked up the Rustin's cleaner and had that in the back of mind if my cleaning had no impact. I am now out of wood soap, but will get some more and continue with the elbow grease. If it doesn't come back to it's original form, I will try the vinegar (it is lacquered Absent) and then if that fails, I will use the Rustin's. Thank you again for your suggestions, I cannot believe I was daft enough to put the wax on in the first place (although in my defence, the care instructions did say to use a wax based polish).......I wont do it again!