Cleaning tips

Scrubbing and Waxing Floors: Maintaining the Appearance and Durability of Your Spaces

2 m
6 August 2025

In high traffic buildings, floors take a beating. With frequent foot traffic, furniture movement and dirt buildup, their condition deteriorates faster than you might think. To maintain a clean appearance and extend the life of flooring materials, certain interventions become necessary such as scrubbing and waxing.

Avant-après d’un plancher marqué par l’usure causée par des chaises, après un récurage professionnel.
Before and after of stripping on a floor marked by chair wear.

A method suited to specific types of floors

Not all flooring is suitable for scrubbing and waxing. Some materials are too porous, too fragile or simply not designed to receive a finish. An evaluation is essential before any intervention to determine whether the floor can be treated safely and effectively.

Floor types suitable for scrubbing and waxing:

  • Vinyl composite tile (VCT)

  • Linoleum

  • Rubber tiles (in some cases)

  • Terrazzo

Plancher en tuiles de vinyle propre dans un corridor d’école dans un corridor d’école
A well-maintained school hallway: clean and waxed vinyl

Floors to avoid for this type of maintenance:

  • Ceramic or porcelain
  • Unsealed concrete

  • Hardwood or floating floors

  • Carpets (of course)

Choosing the right maintenance method always depends on the type of material, the floor’s condition and how the space is used.

Why scrub and wax a floor

Daily cleaning can keep a floor looking clean, but over time, wear becomes visible. Finishes lose their shine, scratches accumulate and stains settle in. Scrubbing removes the damaged top layer of wax, while waxing adds new protection and brings back the floor’s shine.

Beyond visual appeal, this process also helps:

  • Preserve the flooring material by preventing dirt form penetrating the surface

  • Extend the lifespan of the floor by reducing how often it needs to be replaces
Before and after comparison of a scrubbed floor in a school building
Before and after: the results of a well executed scrub on a worn floor.

Planning the intervention based on usage

The type of flooring, level of foot traffic and use of the space determine how often to scrub and wax. Examples:

  • A busy entryway may need several treatments per year

  • A meeting room with minimal use may only require one annual intervention

The important thing is to schedule it at the right time, ideally outside of peak hours.

📌 Also readInstitutional/Commercial Summer Cleaning: The 6 Most Common Requests

Expertise makes the difference

Scrubbing is a precise process that requires proper product use, the right equipment, adherence to dwell times and even application.

Our certified teams use:

  • Professional scrubbers and polishers

  • High quality 3M pads

  • Eco friendly and effective products

We also offer a customized annual floor care program that fits seamlessly into our regular commercial cleaning services.

To learn more, visit our floor maintenance service page.

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