Strip and Wax Floors | Helping Hands Cleaning Services

Simple Guide on How to Strip and Wax Floors and Why It Matters

Floors take daily abuse as people walk all over them. Offices and facilities have much more traffic and require additional upkeep and care. Unfortunately, neglected floors can end up in a state beyond repair. The cost of replacing a floor is far more expensive than maintaining one.

Even with the daily cleaning of floors, some may still be damaged and begin to look worn. The top of the floors is usually covered with a finish to protect against wear and damage. Over time due to foot traffic, the finish will begin to accumulate dirt and other scratches. When this happens, daily procedures are no longer enough to restore the shine of your floor. This is when stripping and waxing floors come in.

Scroll down for a comprehensive guide on how to strip and wax floors.

Stripping and Waxing Floors: Why it matters

With stripping and waxing, your floors will have a finish with your desired luster. First, this process removes dirt and grime that the floor collects. Then, it creates a barrier between the floor and anything that can damage it. The protective layer can help reduce damage and warping, usually caused by moisture and water damage.

What makes stripping and waxing beneficial is its aid in improving floor maintenance. The coating left after waxing the floor protects it from wear or scratches. This is due to the polymers in the finish. It creates an invisible layer on the surface of the floor. This provides a lubricant between two objects rubbing together against the floor. Over time, it will improve the endurance of the floor’s finish, especially if your facility is in a high-traffic area.

So, how often should you strip and wax the floor of your facility? It usually depends on the level of wear on it. But experts recommend that you strip and wax your floor once or twice yearly. Do the floors in your facility receive a high amount of foot traffic? Are they often subject to heavy wear and tear? You might want to consider a regular stripping and waxing schedule.

Strip and wax floors are usually done yearly or every six to twelve months. Before starting any cleaning procedure, you will need the following proper tools:  

  • Mop
  • Bucket
  • Wringer
  • Putty Knife
  • Sealed Back Mat
  • Dust Mop with Handle and Frame
  • Black Stripping Pad for buffer
  • Blue or Green Pad for auto scrubber
  • Disposable Mop
  • Floor Stripper Concentrate
  • Wet Vacuum
  • Swing Machine or Auto Scrubber with an extension cord
  • Wet Floor Signs

Simple Guide on How to Strip and Wax Floors

Make sure to begin your cleaning procedure by putting on the needed protective gear. Don’t forget to place wet floor signs outside the area to notify others that a cleaning procedure is in progress. This could prevent them from entering a hazardous area.

Here’s how you can start the strip and wax floors:

● Don’t forget to remove floor mats or objects from the area

You can start cleaning by sweeping and removing all large debris from the area. Make sure to vacuum and roll up any floor mats as well.

● Make sure to protect adjoining areas from stripping solution

You can place a carpeted, sealed-back mat outside the area you plan to clean. The mat will collect any excess liquid or soil from the cleaners’ shoes. It will also reduce the risk of tracking out of the area and throughout the facility.

● Make sure to dust mop the area you’re planning to strip

Don’t forget to prepare dust mop procedures. After the dust mop, you can use a putty knife to remove any substances stuck to the floor. 

● Do a proper preparation of stripping solution

Some stripping solutions are not ready-to-use. So, you will need to dilute them first. Prepare the stripper solution according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.  An over-concentrated chemical will not work faster or better. Under-concentrated solutions might not be effective as well. Make sure you check the product label for instructions.

● Strip the floors

Note: Don’t forget to wear a mask and gloves during the stripping process. 

To start the process, apply the wax stripper to a three-foot area of flooring at a time. You can begin at the back of the room to avoid boxing yourself into a corner. Then, use your vacuum to remove the stripper and the floor wax. Make sure you follow the floor wax instructions.

You can repeat this process for stubborn areas. You can also use steel wool to get the remaining wax off the spot. Then, wet the area to remove all the wax strippers. After that, dry mop the area to pick up any remaining dirt or dust.

● Ventilate and dry

Open the windows and doors in the area for ventilation. The drying process usually takes around 30 minutes. But it might also take longer in parts with high humidity. You can also use large fans to help speed up the drying process, but don’t point them over or at the floors.

● Apply the floor wax

Once the floor is dry, it’s time for you to apply the floor wax. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions listed on your floor wax. You can use a microfiber cloth and a putty knife to smooth out the wax on the floor. Apply the wax in three-foot areas.

It is important to have your house cleaned, especially if you’re too busy to do it. You can hire expert cleaners for commercial cleaning from Helping Hands Cleaning Services. We can do the cleaning of your house for you without any problem. We also offer office cleaning and commercial cleaning services. We can do move-in and move-out cleaning, and Covid-19 coronavirus sanitizing too. For inquiries, you can call us at (630) 530-1324 or you can reach us through this line here.