If you have never stripped or waxed a floor it may come as a surprise to you that floor care is a highly technical aspect of the office cleaning business. In this chapter we will concentrate for the most part on basic floor care which will encompass stripping, waxing and buffing a tile and hard floors.

The basic piece of equipment required for floor care is the floor machine, commonly referred to as a buffing machine. Floor machines come in a variety of sizes which are measured by the pad size that fits on the base of the machine. For the new entrepreneur venturing out into the floor care profession we recommend the 20” machine. This machine will strip, scrub and buff just about any type of tile or waxed floor that you would be required to maintain.

Along with the basic machine you will need a floor machine brush and floor pad. The floor brush is attached directly to the floor machine by tipping the machine back on it’s rollers, then attaching it securely by spinning the floor brush counterclockwise until it stops turning.

Floor pads come in a variety of colors, each color representing a certain degree of abrasiveness. The light colored pads are for buffing, while the darker pads are for stripping. The floor pads are attached to the floor machine by simply placing the pad on the floor and attaching a drive base directly to the floor machine in the same way that the floor brush was attached. Then you roll the entire unit onto the floor pad.

We suggest that you avoid using steel wool pads. They have a tendency to scratch the floor surface and then break up easily. Steel wool pads can also cause floor stains when particles break off and lodge in the cracks of the tile.

One other piece of equipment that should be purchased is a wet and dry vacuum. These vacuums can be real time savers and can be purchased at any discount hardware or janitorial supply store.

Unless you have operated a floor machine before you may be in for a mild surprise. You see, floor machines tend to have a mind of their own. Most floor machines rotate counterclockwise.  Squeeze the trigger handle and pull upward on the handle. This will direct the machine to the right. Squeeze the trigger handle and push downward and the machine will move to the left. Practice using the machine and you will master it in a very short time.

Stripping old wax and finishes from a tile floor is best accomplished if you have a partner. However you can apply a high quality finish on your own if you follow a few simple steps.

1. Sweep the floor surface completely

2. Clear the floor surface of any obstacles.

3. Place towels in the doorways to prevent carpet damage.

4. Mop the floor with clean, warm water.

5. Using a high quality floor stripping solution cover the floor evenly with the mixture being careful not to create any puddles or flooding. Allow the solution to sit on the floor surface for a few minutes. Never allow the solution to dry. You will have to rewet the floor and start all over again.

6. With a clean scrubbing pad attached to your floor machine, scrub the floor from the farthest wall and work towards the door. If you are working alone only work on an area at one time that you feel you can handle comfortably.

7. After you have scrubbed the area you wanted remove the stripping solution. This is best accomplished with a wet and dry vacuum. Take great care not to allow the stripping solution to lay on the floor too long. This will cause water damage to both the tiles and sub-flooring.

8. Once the room is completely stripped hand strip the corners and edges using a nylon scrubbing pad.

9. After the entire floor area is stripped and scrubbed, rinse it by mopping the floor with a clean mop and warm water.

10. Once the floor is completely dry apply several thin coats of a high quality floor finish with a wax applicator. Do not apply a thick coat with the idea you are saving time. If you do your finished job will look terrible. Apply one thin coat. Allow it to dry thoroughly, then apply a second thin coat. In heavy traffic areas it is recommended you apply a third thin coat of floor finish.

11. Now you are ready to buff the floor to a high gloss finish. Simply attach a very fine buffing pad to your floor machine and work the machine across the floor just as you did when you were stripping and scrubbing. This will produce a high gloss finish you will be proud of.

Although we have spent some time discussing the procedures that must be taken in order to achieve a high gloss floor finish you do not have to strip the entire floor every time a scuff mark appears. Simply fill a spray bottle with a spray buff solution purchased at a janitorial supply store. Spray an area about five feet square and then using your floor machine with a buffing pad attached buff the floor to a high gloss sheen. This will save you both time and money because you will not have to strip and refinish the floor as often.

In the last few years technological advances have brought several new products onto the market. Below are a few of these products that we feel are notable and if utilized in your commercial cleaning business will save you both time and money.

A. Scrubless strippers: These liquid strippers are powerful chemical solutions that literally melt away old wax and floor finishes without the need for a floor machine. First determine the correct solution mixture from the product label. Then apply the scrubless stripper to the floor surface and allow it to sit for the recommended amount of time.

Next remove the wax residue it produces with a wet and dry vacuum. All that is left now is to mop and rinse the floor thoroughly and then apply your floor finish.

B.  High R.P.M. Floor machines: These new floor machines are commonly called “Burnishers”. Spinning up to 3,000 R.P.M.’s the attached high speed floor pads will burnish the floor finish to a high gloss shine. If done properly they will produce a wet look to the floor surface. The only drawback to procuring a high R.P.M. floor machine is that they can only be used for floor buffing and you can only use a floor finish rated for use with a high R.P.M. machine.

Th  There is perhaps no other area of the office cleaning business that is both profitable and at the same time as labor-intensive as floor care. It is for this reason that we suggest that you establish a good rapport with your local janitorial supply store. They will be more than happy to answer all of your questions, assist you in training, and provide you with the proper equipment and supplies that will save you time and money. All of which translates into high profits.