Floor Care, Cleaning and Maintenance
Table of contents
A. Stripping Floors
Stripping is the elimination of embedded dirt, oil, and old layers of floor finish and sealer. The process completely cleans and prepares floors for the application of new coats, floor sealers, or floor finish ( wax ). Floor stripping products are used for this purpose.
Supplies and equipment needed:
- Mop
- Mop wringer
- Hand gloves
- Floor stripper or polisher
- Wax remover
| Steps | Procedures |
| First, clear the area of dirt and spots so that the dirt/soil will | Sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly. Remove sticky deposits or |
| not be absorbed by the stripping solution. | material with a putty knife. |
| Place a caution sign to prevent slips on the floor. | Place the sign in the working area “Wet floor, watch your step”. |
| Prepare the stripping solution. The dilution will depend on the | Mix 1 gallon of floor stripper to 4 gallons of water in a bucket, |
| degree of soil. Heavy soil needs higher dilution. | for every floor area of 250 square meters. |
| – | Dilution sometimes varies for different types of a stripper. Read |
| – | the instructions on the label. Dip the mop on the solution. Do not |
| – | squeeze the mop. Spread the solution and cover the whole area. |
| Soften the old film to make stripping easier to accomplish. | Spread the solution on the floor with a mop and let it be absorbed |
| – | for 10-12 minutes. |
| Scrub the area thoroughly from the farthest to the nearest. | Use a floor machine with an abrasive pad or brush, depending on |
| – | the type of floor. |
| Pick up the softened and suspended film, dirt, and soil. | Use a mop or use a wet-dry vacuum. |
| Rinse the floor thoroughly. | Remove all cleaning solution, using a clean mop. Use a different |
| – | mop for rinsing. Make sure the coats are even. |
| Let the floor dry completely. | Once dried, the floor is now ready for the application of wax or |
| – | floor finish. |
Stripping tips:
- In case of particularly stubborn residues (example: in the commercial sector) use undiluted if required.
- Do not allow the stripper to dry out on the floor. For this reason, work in sections.
- Before stripping floor coverings (e. g. , rubber flooring), check for color and material fastness at an inconspicuous spot. If necessary, dilute Stripper even more and apply several times using a short standing time.
- Wear rubber gloves during use and ensure that the rooms to be treated are well ventilated. Do not spray sensitive surfaces (e. g. , wood, metal, varnished surfaces) with the cleaning or stripping solution.
- Store stripping solution in a cool, dry place in, closed, original container. Keep it locked and out of the reach of children.
B. Sealing Floors
Sealing follows stripping. A floor sealer-chemical is applied on the floor to protect the surfaces and to act as a bond between the floor sealer and the finish (wax). Sealing helps to smoothen rough surfaces and scratches. It also protects the floor of other types of floor abuse thereby enhancing its appearance.
Supplies and equipment needed:
- Wet mop
- Plastic liner
- Sealer solution
| Steps | Procedures |
| 1. Prepare the floor area. | Place the caution sign in a visible location. |
| – | Put supplies and equipment in the floor area to be sealed. |
| – | Put plastic bag (liner) into the empty bucket that is to be used for |
| – | the sealer solution, then pour sealer into the lined bucket. |
| – | Using the plastic bag liner keeps the bucket clean and keeps the |
| – | sealer from becoming contaminated with any residue that might be in |
| – | the bucket. |
| 2. Dip the damp mop head into the bucket with a sealer. | Wring out gently such that the mop head is wet but does not drip. |
| 3. Trace/outline the entire area to be sealed. | Start in one of the baseboards in the farthest corner of the room. |
| – | If the entire area cannot be out-lined before the sealer dries, |
| – | apply the sealer to the floor along the baseboards covering as much |
| – | of the traces/outline as possible. |
| 4. Apply the sealer to the floor area. | Work by sections, do a side to side motion, starting from the |
| – | farthest corner and moving backward toward the door. Overlap the |
| – | strokes. Avoid having puddles of sealer on the floor. |
| 5. Allow the floor to dry completely before applying wax. | If recoating is needed, follow the same steps above stated. |
