A worn commercial floor can look dirty even after it has been cleaned. Yellowing polish, black heel marks, scratched traffic lanes and patchy gloss may be signs that the protective finish has reached the end of its useful life. Floor stripping removes that old coating so a compatible new floor sealer or polish can bond to a properly prepared surface.
How Do You Strip a Commercial Floor?
Identify the flooring and check whether the old polish needs to be removed. If a full strip is needed, secure the area, apply a floor-compatible stripper as directed, scrub the loosened finish and recover the used solution. Rinse where appropriate, then let the surface dry completely before sealing. If the existing coating is still sound, a lighter clean and recoat may be enough.
This Australian guide is written for commercial cleaning contractors, schools, offices, retail sites and facility managers preparing vinyl, terrazzo and other compatible hard floors for resealing. It is not a universal procedure for timber, laminate, every type of linoleum or polished stone.
What Is Floor Stripping?
Floor stripping is the controlled removal of existing floor polish, wax or a topical sealer finish using a suitable chemical stripper and mechanical agitation (scrubbing with an appropriate machine or pad). The aim is to remove the failing coating and contaminants without damaging the flooring beneath. It is different from everyday mopping, spray buffing, deep scrubbing and sanding timber.
The work is often called a commercial floor strip and seal: removing the old finish is the preparation stage; applying a compatible basecoat and/or topcoat is a separate stage. For the application process, read our floor sealing guide.
When Should You Strip a Floor Instead of Cleaning or Recoating?
A complete strip is normally considered when the old finish is peeling, yellowed, heavily scratched or built up in uneven layers. If the coating is still firmly attached, cleaning, light surface preparation or a maintenance recoat may be a better option. Check the surface and coating before choosing the process.
| Floor condition | Likely next step | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Normal dirt and minor traffic marks | Routine cleaning and compatible buffing | Cleaner, pad and finish compatibility |
| Dull but intact, bonded polish | Cut-back and maintenance recoat may be possible | Existing coating and recoat compatibility |
| Peeling, yellowing or heavily built-up layers | Assess a complete strip and reseal | Floor material, stripping product and coating history |
| Unknown floor type or unusual factory coating | Identify and test before proceeding | Flooring type, finish and test results |
Customer tip: A dull floor does not always need stripping. Check whether the existing finish can be cleaned, buffed or recoated before removing it completely.
Which Commercial Floor Types Can Be Stripped?
| Floor surface | Practical suitability guidance |
|---|---|
| Vinyl composition tiles | Often suitable for a compatible water-based polish remover, after checking the floor and existing finish |
| Terrazzo and suitable stone | Use a floor-compatible product and pad. Protect sensitive stone and test an inconspicuous area first. |
| Sheet vinyl and rubber | Use only a compatible stripper and dilution. Test first; aggressive products and pads can damage the floor. |
| Linoleum | Can be sensitive to strong alkaline products. Check the approved stripping method and concentration before use. |
| Timber and laminate | Do not use a flood-applied chemical strip. Follow flooring-specific refinishing instructions. |
| Ceramic or porcelain | A stripper may remove an existing topical coating, but this does not mean an acrylic floor sealer will adhere afterwards |
Test an inconspicuous section before treating the full floor. A product that works on vinyl tiles may be unsuitable for linoleum, timber or sensitive stone.
What Equipment and Chemicals Do You Need to Strip a Floor?
You will typically need the following, chosen to suit the surface and chemical:
For a floor polish remover, see Ultrastrip Floor Polish Remover 5L at Janitorial Depot. Confirm the product suits your floor and finish before ordering.
How to Strip Commercial Floors Step by Step
Step 1 – Identify the Flooring, Coating and Risks
Confirm whether the floor is vinyl tile, sheet vinyl, linoleum, stone, concrete or another material. Look for worn edges, loose tiles, unusual coatings, cracks and surface damage. If the floor or existing finish is unknown, test a small area before proceeding.
Read the exact product label and Product Data Sheet (PDS) for suitable surfaces, dilution and contact time. Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for hazards and protective equipment. You can find available documents in the Janitorial Depot SDS Library. Never mix different cleaning chemicals.
Step 2 – Clear, Isolate and Dry-Clean the Area
Move furniture and equipment where practical, protect skirting and adjacent finishes, and block public access. Place warning signs before work begins. Sweep or vacuum grit, rubbish and loose dirt; remove chewing gum or labels carefully without gouging the floor.
Plan manageable work sections and where the wet slurry (used stripper mixed with loosened polish) will be collected. Prevent runoff into adjoining rooms, drains and sensitive surfaces.
Step 3 – Mix the Floor Stripper Correctly
Use the mixing instructions for the exact product and floor type. Different products and different amounts of old polish can require different strengths. Some sensitive floors need a weaker solution. Do not guess a stronger mix just because the existing coating is difficult to remove.
Measure the required water and concentrate accurately. Where the instructions permit manual mixing, start with water and add the chemical carefully. Read the dilution notation closely: “1 in 20” and “1:20” should not be assumed identical. See our cleaning chemical dilution guide for examples.
Step 4 – Apply the Stripper and Allow Contact Time
Apply the mixed solution evenly to a manageable section, using a suitable mop or applicator. Keep the area wet for the contact time shown in the product instructions, and prevent public access. Do not allow the stripper to dry on the floor. Work in smaller sections where needed; stubborn build-up may require a second controlled treatment.
Step 5 – Agitate the Old Floor Finish
Scrub using a suitable rotary or autoscrubber machine and a pad compatible with the floor. Aggressive black stripping pads can remove heavy coatings but can also damage sensitive surfaces. Treat edges and corners separately with the appropriate hand tools. Inspect a test patch to establish whether the old sealer has been removed; repeat only where necessary.
Step 6 – Recover the Stripper Slurry
Collect the loosened polish and used stripper promptly with a suitable wet vacuum or recovery machine. Avoid spreading slurry into clean areas. Manage the waste under the chemical SDS, site procedure and local disposal requirements; do not assume it can simply be poured into a stormwater drain.
Step 7 – Rinse, Inspect and Allow the Surface to Dry
Rinse thoroughly where the floor material permits and the product directions require it, then recover the rinse water. A remaining alkaline or soapy film can interfere with a subsequent floor finish. Confirm that corners and edges are clean and no stripper residue remains.
Do not flood-rinse timber or other moisture-sensitive floors. Their preparation requires a different, approved procedure. Leave the suitable stripped floor completely dry before sealing.
Step 8 – Decide Whether a Basecoat Is Required
Once the floor is clean and dry, confirm whether the selected finish needs a separate basecoat. Some porous stone, terrazzo and concrete floors need a base sealer before the finish. Calculate any basecoat separately from the topcoat.
How Much Floor Stripper Should You Use?
The amount needed depends on the area, condition and number of old finish layers, and the dilution required for your specific floor. Check the product label and PDS rather than using one dilution for every job. Mix only as much solution as you can apply and recover safely.
For sensitive floors, follow the surface-specific instructions even if the old polish is heavily built up. Increasing the concentration without checking compatibility can damage the floor or make residue harder to remove.
Common Floor Stripping Mistakes to Avoid
How to Strip Floors Safely in Australian Workplaces
Floor strippers can be hazardous, particularly if they contain strong alkaline ingredients. Use the protective equipment identified in the current SDS, avoid splashes, provide suitable ventilation and keep the area closed to traffic. A low-odour product is not automatically harmless.
Keep the current SDS available and label any prepared solutions correctly. Use our SDS Library to locate available documents for your exact product. Follow the label, PDS, SDS and workplace procedure, including appropriate first-aid and waste-handling instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Floor Stripping
What to Do After Floor Stripping
After stripping, choose a sealer suitable for the floor type, condition and expected traffic. Follow our floor sealing guide, check quantities with the Floor Sealer Calculator, or browse floor sealing and polishing products at Janitorial Depot.
