The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Floor Stripping and Waxing

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Floor Care, Maintenance Guides

Introduction

The floors of a high-traffic commercial space—be it a retail store, a school hallway, or a medical clinic—take a relentless beating. Over time, vinyl composition tile (VCT) and other hard floors can become dull, scuffed, and yellowed as layers of old wax and dirt build up. Regular mopping can’t fix this. The solution is professional floor stripping and waxing, a restorative process that brings floors back to a like-new shine, enhances safety, and protects your investment.

This guide explains the stripping and waxing process, how to know when your floors need it, and the benefits of hiring a professional service for this critical maintenance task.

What is Floor Stripping and Waxing?

It’s a multi-stage process designed to completely restore hard-surface floors:

  1. Stripping: A powerful stripping solution is applied to the floor to break down and emulsify all the old layers of wax, sealant, and accumulated grime.
  2. Scrubbing: A rotary floor machine with an abrasive pad is used to scrub the floor, lifting the dissolved old finish from the surface and out of the pores of the tile.
  3. Extraction: The resulting slurry of old wax and stripping solution is meticulously removed from the floor using a wet-vac and detailed mopping.
  4. Neutralizing: The floor is rinsed with a pH-neutralizing solution to ensure all the stripping chemicals are gone, which is critical for proper adhesion of the new wax.
  5. Sealing/Waxing: Finally, several thin, even coats of high-quality, professional-grade floor finish (wax) are applied. Each coat must dry completely before the next is applied. This builds up a deep, protective, and high-gloss shine.

Signs Your Floors Are Ready for a Strip and Wax

  • A Dull or Yellow Appearance: The floor has lost its shine and has a dingy, yellow or brownish hue, even after being cleaned.
  • Scratches and Scuffs Won’t Budge: Deep scratches and scuff marks are embedded in the old layers of wax and cannot be removed with regular buffing.
  • Wax Buildup in Corners: You can see a thick, discolored buildup of old wax along baseboards and in corners where daily mopping doesn’t reach.
  • The Floor Looks Dirty Even When Clean: If you’ve mopped the floor and it still looks grimy, it means the dirt is trapped under or within the layers of old finish.

The Benefits of Professional Service

While it might seem like a DIY project, professional floor stripping and waxing offers significant advantages. As a key component of facility safety and maintenance, a pro service ensures the job is done correctly. Professionals use the right chemical dilutions to avoid damaging your floors, have the proper equipment to do the job efficiently, and apply the new finish in thin, durable coats for a long-lasting, non-slip shine. A poorly done wax job can result in a sticky, uneven finish that needs to be redone, costing more in the long run.

Partner with the Lloydminster Region’s Trusted Cleaning Experts

Ready to restore the shine and safety of your commercial floors? Contact our team today for a free quote on our professional floor stripping and waxing services.