Commercial Cleaning Insights

Strip and Wax

Professional strip and wax treatments restore floors' shine, protect against wear, and enhance safety, appearance, and longevity with eco-friendly care.

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Professional strip and wax treatments restore your scarred, unclean non-wax floor to a shining, sleek, and smooth one! Adding the strip and wax to your maintenance cleaning results in a more inviting area that welcomes your staff, clients, and guests. Even the toughest of flooring surfaces ultimately require a strip and wax. This is because, over time, the daily wear and tear causes the flooring to lose its original appearance and protective qualities. Dirt, stains, and scratches gather over time along with any present wax in thin old surface layers. Eliminating them and using fresh wax not only brings that shine back to the floor but also strengthens it, increasing its resistance to greater use.

Maintaining clean floors is critical for businesses, as it impacts safety, appearance, and lifespan. Top manufacturing companies like Diversey and 3M underline how well clean floors represent the standard of excellence of a company, therefore presenting a positive image to staff members and consumers. Regular maintenance—including stripping, waxing, and cleaning—helps to avoid the accumulation of dirt, stains, and grime, therefore improving visual appeal and lowering slip and fall hazards. Over time, they also point out that well-kept floors are less expensive and simpler to maintain.  3M stresses a methodical floor care schedule as regular maintenance guarantees longevity and wear and strain resistance by preserving the original quality of flooring. They support the use of appropriate materials and proactive methods to guard surfaces against dirt buildup, wetness, and damage. Arelli, a commercial cleaning company, strictly follows these industry rules, using high-quality solutions and regular maintenance schedules to keep client floors clean, safe, and presentable. Arelli guarantees a safe, professional, and inviting atmosphere for organizations by adhering to best practices advised by experts such as Diversey and 3M while lowering long-term maintenance expenses.

At Arelli, we carry out strip and wax treatments under a very exacting process that adheres to industry standards, ensuring the longevity of the flooring. The first step is to remove any furniture, obstacles, and items from the surface. This ensures that we are able to get to every single spot when applying the chemicals. Next, we put up wet floor signals and barriers, which are crucial for maintaining safety. The chemicals used in strip and wax treatments could pose a risk to anyone walking into the area during the cleaning procedure. After that, our cleaners begin the procedure by sweeping and mopping the surface to remove any dirt, trash, and dust that may affect the stripping process. This process is quite thorough, as we aim to ensure that there is no dirt trapped under the wax, as it leads to an uneven result. Next, we apply the solution to disintegrate the existing wax layers, making sure to keep the stripping fluid on for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Our cleaners use various types of scrubbing pads, depending on the degree of accumulation, to really get that deep clean. In this step, we also use the wet vacuum to remove old wax and stripping solution from the floor, readying it for fresh wax application. At Arelli, we also use a neutralizing solution to level the pH of the floor surface. This neutralizes the chemicals and eliminates any remnants that could prevent the fresh wax from adhering properly. After that, we air-dry and thoroughly clean the surface. The pre-drying job is quite important, as remaining moisture on the surface could disturb waxing. Occasionally, we use dryers, either blowers or fans, to quickly dry the floor. We then apply new wax thinly to the floor and spray it uniformly with an applicator or mop. Generally, the recommendation by the experts is the application of three to five coats of wax, after which you have to make sure each coat is thoroughly dried before you can add another. In areas with higher traffic, you will have to apply more layers to add durability. As a rule, a single layer of the wax should be left to dry for around 30 minutes to an hour, but this could differ with temperature and other factors such as humidity and air circulation. Upon completion of all the wax coats, we leave the floor up for several hours. This not only improvs the wax's capability of protecting but also gives it the time to harden.

The frequency of strip and wax services in commercial spaces depends on the type of facility, the number of users, and the overall condition of the floors. Professional cleaners suggest that in high traffic areas, a strip and wax need to be done every 4–6 months for locations like hospitals, colleges, and retail businesses handling more foot traffic. In areas with moderate traffic, strip wax should be done at least twice a year. This would minimize the damage that can result from neglect over an extended period and help the flooring maintain its nice appearance. Now, in low-activity places, stripping and waxing may only be necessary once a year. Observable scratches, altered hues, and dull spots all clearly point to a floor needing strip and wax treatments. It’s important to remember that the protective layer might also make floors more vulnerable to stains and scratches that call for upkeep.

When taking a deeper look into the cost, there are two main variables that impact the overall cost; for example, the size of the space and floor condition. One would reasonably expect the services provided in a business environment to cost between $0.30 and $0.60 per square foot. Floors that require extensive repairs or stripping will incur higher costs. Additional work and material needs will be required should the problematic old wax buildup or flooring damage be found, therefore affecting the ultimate cost. Usually, a professional cleaning company will conduct an on-site visit to provide a precise price based on the specific needs of your business. Additional requirements, such as working outside regular hours and transporting bulky furnishings, may lead to additional expenses.

Rising environmental issues have many businesses seeking environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. At Arelli, we take care to follow the highest standards and implement the steps to reduce the environmental effects of strip and wax operations. Industry standards continue to consider low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) stripping solutions, which aid in reducing dangerous emissions. For the cleaning staff, these materials are also the safest and most environmentally friendly. Low-VOC materials reduce indoor air pollution and provide fewer health concerns for building occupants.

To prevent water supply pollution during the waxing and stripping processes, local environmental laws guide the collection and disposal of trash. At Arelli, we guarantee the correct disposal of the chemicals, therefore avoiding environmental damage.

Waxing can also be accomplished with the use of ecologically safe wax with few to no toxic ingredients. These waxes come with certifications from companies such as Green Seal or EcoLogo. Because it is biodegradable and free of harmful chemicals, green wax is healthy for both nature and humans. Automatic scrubbers with water-saving features and energy-efficient motors reduce resource consumption. The purpose of these machines is to clean efficiently while using less water and energy.

A good sign of a consistent application of the wax over the surface will be the overall sheen. Reflecting light from the glossiness of the floor will help show a polished and clean surface. Correct stripping and waxing will mean the lack of stripping solution residue and wax buildup around floor corners or edges. If you feel the floor, it should feel level without any clumped wax or rough areas. A smooth surface confirms the correct application and proper curing of each layer of wax. There should be no indication of flaking or peeling; the floor wax should completely cling to the surface of the floor. There should also be no evidence of smearing; this might mean improper wax curing. A well-executed strip and wax treatment should demonstrate your protection against typical wear and tear. Quality wax is effective in protecting the floor from stains, scuffs, and scratches. If the floor starts to show signs of wear after a few days, it could be due to either inadequate coatings or improper application.

One of the most crucial components keeping the floor of your commercial building looking and lasting intact is strip and wax. Understanding the procedure, environmental factors, and indicators of quality will provide you with the necessary basis to decide when and how to arrange these treatments. At Arelli, we know exactly how to conduct strip-and-wax services to revitalize your floors, guard them from more damage, and accentuate the overall look of your building.

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