How to Take Wax Off a Linoleum Floor

Stripping the wax off a linoleum floor is a messy and time-consuming project. It does not have to be completed often, but when it is time, it will take a couple hours to finish. Strip the floor when regular maintenance cleaning does not produce a clean-looking floor. The floor colors will be dull and lack definition. This is caused by dirt buildup, and you can correct it by using a linoleum floor stripping solution. Application methods across different brands may vary slightly but are generally the same.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Dust pan
• Liquid floor stripping solution
• Scrub brush or scrubbing pad
• Sponge mop
• Water

Instructions

1. Sweep the flooring surface with a broom, and remove the debris with a dust pan.

2. Apply liquid floor stripping solution freely to a three- to four-square foot area. Allow the solution to sit on the linoleum floor for three to five minutes to allow it to soften the floor finish.

3. Scrub the treated area briskly with a scrub brush or a scrubbing pad. Mop the used solution up with a sponge mop.

4. Rinse the surface of the floor with clean water, and remove the water with a clean mop.

5. Repeat the process over the whole linoleum floor surface. When the floor is completely stripped, it will appear consistently dull.

References

• Armstrong Linoleum FAQs
• Armstrong Floor Care Products: Linoleum Care and Maintenance
• Armstrong Care and Maintenance of Genuine Linoleum Floors