Strip and wax floor service is a maintenance process used on resilient flooring, most commonly vinyl composition tile (VCT), to remove built-up old finish and apply new protective wax coats. Over time, foot traffic, dirt, and cleaning chemicals wear down floor finish, causing dullness, discoloration, and scuff marks that regular mopping cannot fix. This service strips the old finish down to the bare tile, then rebuilds a clean, even protective layer. It's a periodic deep-maintenance task rather than a daily or weekly cleaning activity, and it's typically scheduled separately from routine janitorial visits.
Strip and Wax: A two-part floor maintenance process. 'Stripping' removes old, worn wax finish and embedded soil from resilient flooring using a chemical stripping solution and floor machine. 'Waxing' (also called finishing) applies new coats of floor finish afterward to protect the surface and restore shine and slip resistance.
Common Floor Problems This Service Addresses
Floors look dull, cloudy, or yellowed despite regular mopping.
Routine mopping only cleans the surface of the finish; it cannot remove the worn or discolored finish layer underneath, which is why stripping and reapplying finish restores clarity and shine.
Black heel marks and scuffs build up in high-traffic areas.
Stripping removes the damaged finish layer where scuffs are embedded, and a fresh finish coat provides a cleaner surface that resists marking until the next maintenance cycle.
Uneven wear creates a patchy appearance, with some areas glossy and others worn.
A full strip removes finish uniformly across the floor, allowing new coats to be applied evenly so the entire surface matches.
Floors feel slippery or unsafe in certain conditions.
Applying an appropriate finish product and following recommended coat and cure guidance helps maintain expected slip resistance; this should be discussed directly with a provider based on the specific flooring and finish product used.
Multiple layers of old wax have built up over time, trapping dirt.
A thorough strip removes accumulated layers down to the base tile rather than adding another coat on top of existing buildup.
What to Expect: The Strip and Wax Process
- 1
Pre-inspection and area preparation
The technician reviews the floor condition, identifies problem areas, and coordinates moving furniture, trash cans, and equipment out of the work zone.
- 2
Dust mopping and initial clearing
Loose debris and dust are removed from the floor surface so the stripping solution can contact the finish directly.
- 3
Applying the stripping solution
A chemical stripping solution is spread across the floor and given dwell time to break down the old finish layer.
- 4
Machine scrubbing
A floor machine with an appropriate pad agitates the stripping solution to lift the softened finish from the tile surface.
- 5
Rinsing and neutralizing
Residual stripping solution and dissolved finish are picked up with a wet vacuum or mop, and the floor is rinsed to neutralize any remaining chemical before finish is applied.
- 6
Drying
The floor must dry completely before finish is applied; this step affects total project time and should be planned around facility schedules.
- 7
Applying finish coats
New floor finish is applied in multiple thin, even coats, with drying time between each coat to build durability and shine.
- 8
Curing time
Finish needs time to cure and harden before the area returns to normal foot traffic; walking on it too soon can damage the fresh coat.
- 9
Final walkthrough
The completed floor is inspected for even coverage, and furniture or equipment is returned to place.
Frequency Guidance by Facility Type
| Facility Type | Typical Traffic Level | General Frequency Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate office | Low to moderate | Every 6 to 12 months, as a starting point for discussion with a provider |
| Retail storefront | High | Every 3 to 6 months, depending on customer volume |
| Medical or dental office | Moderate | Every 6 months, factoring in sanitation and appearance standards |
| Restaurant or food service | High, with grease and spills | Every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if buildup is visible |
| School or education facility | High, seasonal variation | Often aligned with school breaks, roughly 1 to 2 times per year |
| Warehouse or light industrial | Variable, heavy equipment traffic | Based on wear patterns; assessment recommended before setting a schedule |
Scope-of-Work Checklist for Provider Conversations
- Confirm which areas and square footage are included in the quote
- Ask what type of stripper and finish products will be used
- Ask how many coats of finish are included
- Confirm expected dry time and cure time before the space can be used
- Clarify who is responsible for moving furniture and equipment
- Ask whether the work will be done during or outside business hours
- Confirm how baseboards, edges, and corners will be handled
- Ask what happens if additional coats or a re-strip are needed due to heavy buildup
- Confirm cleanup process, including disposal of stripping waste
How to Choose a Provider
When evaluating a provider for strip and wax service, it helps to ask direct questions rather than relying on general marketing claims. Ask about the specific products they plan to use and whether those products are suited to your flooring type. Ask how they schedule work to minimize disruption to daily operations, since stripping and refinishing typically requires the floor to be clear and dry for several hours. Confirm what preparation is expected from your team, such as moving furniture or restricting access to the area during and after the work. It's also reasonable to ask how the provider handles unexpected findings, such as damaged tile or heavier-than-expected finish buildup, and how that would affect timeline or scope. Getting clear answers to these questions before work begins helps set accurate expectations.
Service Area
Office Cleaning Orlando serves the Orlando market, including Orlando, Winter Park, and Maitland, within Orange County, and generally within a 50 km service radius. If your facility falls within this area, you can request an assessment to discuss strip and wax floor service for your specific space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does strip and wax floors cost?
Cost depends on factors like square footage, floor condition, how much furniture needs to be moved, and whether the floor requires extra passes to remove heavy buildup. Because these factors vary by facility, an on-site or detailed assessment is the most reliable way to get an accurate cost estimate.
How often is strip and wax floors needed?
Frequency depends on traffic level and flooring type. As general guidance, offices with lower foot traffic may need this service roughly once or twice a year, while high-traffic spaces like retail or food service areas may need it more often, every three to six months. An assessment of your specific space will give a more precise recommendation.
What is included in strip and wax floors?
The service typically includes area preparation, dust mopping, applying a stripping solution, machine scrubbing to remove old finish, rinsing and neutralizing the floor, drying time, applying multiple coats of new finish, and a final inspection. Exact inclusions can vary by provider, so it's worth confirming scope details before work begins.
How do I choose a provider for strip and wax floors?
Look for clear answers about the products used, the number of finish coats included, expected dry and cure times, and how the work will be scheduled around your business hours. Asking specific questions using a scope-of-work checklist can help you compare providers on the same basis.
What should I expect during strip and wax floors?
Expect the work area to be cleared of furniture and closed off temporarily. The process involves applying a stripping chemical, machine scrubbing, rinsing, drying, and then applying and curing new finish coats. Depending on the size of the area and drying times, the floor may need to remain unused for several hours or, in some cases, overnight.
How should I prepare for strip and wax floors?
Preparation generally includes clearing or arranging to have furniture and equipment moved out of the work area, restricting foot traffic during the service and cure period, and confirming access and timing with the provider in advance, especially if the work needs to happen outside normal business hours.
Ready to Discuss Your Facility's Floors?
Request an assessment to get frequency and scope recommendations specific to your Orlando-area facility.
Request a QuoteFrequency recommendations, process timelines, and scope details described on this page are general guidance based on common industry practice. Actual scope, timing, and cost for your facility should be confirmed directly with a provider based on an assessment of your specific space.