No one seems to have given, what I consider, the obvious answer - ammonia.   It is what is used to "strip" wax off floors and is a glass cleaner without peer.  I carry around a covered bucket, big enough to hold my hive tools, of water, ammonia , liquid detergent and a "chore boy".  The next time you need a hive tool, the bucket has acted like a little dish washer, most of the propolis and wax has shook loose, while "chore boy" quickly removes any that remains.  It also does a great job on your hands and fingernails.  I like to use "lemon scented" ammonia since lemon scents resemble part of aggregation pheromone complex with Apis.

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