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How to Wax Floors and Strip Old Wax

Waxing your floors will definitely add to the charm of your home. Getting the best results takes a bit of skill and some good advice. Here is how to get perfect results every time.

The Advantages of Waxing Floors

protects the surface and help to preserve its natural beauty
regular waxing will prolong the life of hardwoods
wax hides small dents and scratches
protects wood from water damage
reduces scratching and grinding on your hardwood floor
prevents excessive drying and warping of the hardwood

Types of Floor Waxes

water based which is best on asphalt, rubber-tiled, vinyl floors and it provides a shiny, high-gloss finish without buffing
solvent based wax - must be buffed to provide a high-gloss finish
polymer based wax - no buffing required but must be scrapped when new wax gets applied

Steps for Waxing Floors Never Waxed Before

remove all furniture, carpets or rugs from the room
remove dirt and dust with a vaccum cleaner
remove any dirt with a mop and allow the floor to dry
apply your wax using a clean mop head or sponge head beginning from the middle of the room
allow the wax to dry per manufacturer’s instructions
apply another coat of wax if needed

Tips for Waxing Floors

apply thin coats of wax for better results
after each coat, inspect the floor carefully for places which were not covered - apply wax in these areas and let them dry before applying the next coat
when applying wax move slowly from the middle of the floor towards the walls
do not rush, take your time for outstanding results when applying wax
make sure you do not leave bubbles of wax on the surface of the floor - slow down
bubble will eventually crack and expose your floor to dirt and moisture
solvent-based waxes require buffing for a high-gloss shine
polymer waxes will eventualy turn yellow should be stripped and reapplied
old wax formulas include toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde
if concerned with indoor air quality buy a wax made from organic materials
for more tips on indoor air quality go to this site http://radon-solution.com

When to Re-Wax the Floor?

if floor looks yellow or the surface looks cloudy remove the old wax and apply new one
if you notice a wax buildup, remove the old wax and apply new wax
if solvent based wax, try to buff the surface, it may not be required to re-wax

Tools and Materials Required to Strip Old Wax

Rubber gloves
Wax stripper
Squeegee or scrubber and wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Putty knife
Buckets
Dustpan
Scrubbing pads or a scrubbing machine
Rags
Mop

Steps to Stripping Old Wax

prepare the stripping solution according to manufacturer’s directions
spread just enough stripper to cover a 2 x 2 feet area using a mop
let the stripper stand per manufacturer’s recommendations
remove the wax using scrubbing pads or a scrubbing machine
using a wet/dry vacuum or a squeegee, push the wax and excess stripper into the dustpan
alternate soaking and scrubbing sections until you finish the entire surface
repeat the process in all areas where required
rinse if the stripper’s manufacturer recommends it

Tips for Stripping Old Wax

test your stripping product in an inconspicuous area before stripping the entire surface
start from the furtherst corner from the door
do not apply to much striping solution, it can cause hardwoods to stain or warp
if you are using a scrubbing machine, apply the solution on a larger surface at once

Tips for Maintaining a Waxed Floor

sweep regularly to prevent dirt from embedding itself in the wax
damp-mop with water once a week to remove anything sticky
do not let any spills dry as it will create a stubborn, dirt-attracting spot on your beautiful floors