It might be important to point out that the use of power washers is not recommended inside your home and on wooden floors. If you want to learn how to strip wax from hardwood floors, keep reading the article! Hi there, a friend of mine has laminate "wood" floors and she was complaining about the build up from her "normal" cleaner and I told her to just use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. This article has been viewed 154,964 times. Step 2 – Scrub Because of the corrosiveness of the ammonia, be sure to wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands. When Stripping Heavy Build-ups, stripper solutions can get sticky and gummy. How should you protect yourself when using an isopropyl alcohol solution to scrub your linoleum floor? unlocking this expert answer. A heavier coat is required to prevent premature drying of the stripper. You should also open a window before you begin working to avoid breathing in any fumes. The super strippers are cold water strippers, so using cold water keeps solvent odors at a minimum. Strippers that indicate that floors does not have to be neutralized or rinsed after stripping usually indicate that the stripper does not contain Sodium Hydroxide or other caustics. Start by filling your bucket with the following mixture: It will quickly remove multiple coats of floor finish or wax accumulation from baseboards, coves, stairs, and … Sanding down the finish can drive the wax even deeper because the friction of sanding heats up the wax. In case it leaves build-up, do not use it on your wood floor since it will leave a sticky mess. If you're concerned you can also wear rubber gloves when you clean. Heavy wax build up on floors requires a stronger stripper. 600 Cardigan Road Try again! Your suggestion is cheaper than retiling! Have plenty of ventilation, and test it first on a small, out of the way spot to be sure the ammonia won’t damage the floor. Ammonia will remove build up wax on vinyl floors and brightens them too. It is a good idea to remove the wax buildup from your floors a couple of times a year to prevent the buildup from getting too thick. We love to do it over and over again. Use damp, clean, white cloths dipped in the vinegar solution to strip the wax. Look for a brand which has a 25 percent solids factor and any brand that advertises its product as suitable for institutions. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/floors/remove-floor-wax.html, https://www.hunker.com/12136998/how-to-remove-floor-wax-buildup, https://www.angieslist.com/articles/12-tips-maintaining-epoxy-flooring.htm, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-polish-fix-amp-maintain-tile-floors-190635, https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/Refinishing-a-Tile-Floor, http://www.ebay.com/gds/Your-Guide-to-Removing-Wax-from-Wood-Brick-and-Tile-/10000000178630343/g.html, https://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/Solid-Waste-Management/Household-Hazardous-Waste/Safer-Alternatives/Cleaners, http://ccetompkins.org/resources/maintenance-of-hardwood-floors, https://www.woodmeister.com/caring-for-wood-floors, http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0518.pdf, eliminar la acumulación de cera de los pisos, Eliminare gli Accumuli di Cera dal Pavimento, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. For more information, visit our floor care webpage. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. Once you're done with the rags, soak them in water and place them inside an airtight container. But wax buildup makes the floors look as though they need to be cleaned. References Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Pour out the wash water from the bucket, rinse it and fill it with clear, warm water. Not exactly! There are several products sold commercially to use for stripping wax from floors. Look for an even better answer. 3) Generously distribute the mixture on the entire floor’s surface using a sponge mop. The steel wool will remove wax residue from the wood grain. Make sure to also have some old rags on hand to dry the floor afterward. Spray the glass cleaner liberally over the area and let it sit for about a minute. Step 2. Try again for an even better answer. Trewax Professional Heavy Duty Floor Stripper removes old, tough wax buildup from floors to allow for new sealers to be applied with ease. The problem is the offending caustic compound called Sodium Hydroxide tends to coagulate the stripped finish solution during the removal of heavy build ups. Dissolve the wax be an older finish under the wax is removed the polish with wet/dry. Made with half a cup of ammonia into the hot water ; mix until detergent fully... Wood floors and Safest ) Ways to clear Clogged Ears 're trying to wax. It as the only remedy place them inside an airtight container packaged in institution... To also have some old rags on hand to dry the floor dries up, if.! Are all over the board us continue to provide you how to remove heavy floor wax build up our how-to... 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