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Floor Care

Stripping & Waxing

Stripping and waxing is the deep floor-restoration process of chemically removing all old finish down to the bare floor, then applying several fresh coats of finish to rebuild a protective, glossy surface.

Written by CleanQuote Editorial TeamReviewed by Facilities Operations Review BoardLast reviewed June 2026

In Depth

It is the most labor-intensive floor service: strip the old finish, neutralize and rinse, then lay multiple thin coats of finish with dry time between each. It is performed periodically when buffing and burnishing can no longer restore the floor.

Why It Matters

Strip-and-wax resets a worn floor to like-new and protects the substrate, but it is costly and disruptive, so its frequency is a key budget and scheduling decision.

Related Terms

Floor FinishBurnishingBuffingDeep Cleaning

Related Resources

Floor Care ServicesCommercial Cleaning Cost Guide

Frequently Asked

What is stripping & waxing in commercial cleaning?

Stripping and waxing is the deep floor-restoration process of chemically removing all old finish down to the bare floor, then applying several fresh coats of finish to rebuild a protective, glossy surface.

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Expert explanation

Making decisions with "Stripping & Waxing"

Knowing the definition is the start. Here's how the term fits into a real buying decision.

Research Confidence

Developing

Based on

  • Original insight

Synthesized from 4 cited sources.

  1. What?

    What does "Stripping & Waxing" mean?

    Stripping and waxing is the deep floor-restoration process of chemically removing all old finish down to the bare floor, then applying several fresh coats of finish to rebuild a protective, glossy surface.

  2. Why?

    Why does it matter to buyers?

    Strip-and-wax resets a worn floor to like-new and protects the substrate, but it is costly and disruptive, so its frequency is a key budget and scheduling decision.

  3. How do I evaluate?

    How should I use this when evaluating vendors?

    Bring the term into your RFP and walkthrough questions so proposals are directly comparable — vague answers here are an early warning sign.
    See what to include in an RFP

  4. What's next?

    What's next?

    Once you know the language, put a number on your specific facility and collect comparable bids.
    Get 3 quotes in 24 hours

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