How can I strip wax buildup from my hardwood floors?
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Here's a comprehensive review of several products https://www.theflooringlady.com/best-wood-floor-wax-remover/
Mineral Spirits removes wax.
I use one cup of lemon scented ammonia to one gallon hot water. Cuts through built up dirt and wax. Then use Bona for Hardwood floors.
Sweep away loose dirt, dust and other debris, and mop the floor with warm water to remove any grime or residues from the wood’s surface.
Pour a small amount of mineral spirits directly onto a 2-square foot section of floor. Working in small sections makes it easier to ensure that you removed the wax. Do not move onto a new section until you’ve removed as much as possible from the previous one.
Fold a clean cloth or rag in half and work the mineral spirits into the wax. Use a circular motion to scrub the wax from the floor.
Wipe the floor dry with a second cloth and apply the mineral spirits a second time. Wipe the floor with a cloth. If a yellow residue still shows on the cloth, this indicates there is still wax present. Scrub the floor again with mineral spirits until no more yellow residue appears on your cloth.
Continue applying the mineral spirits and scrubbing until you’ve removed as much of the wax as you can from the wood.
Scrub heavy wax buildup with fine steel wool if the cloth does not remove all residues, and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Continue working in 2-foot sections until the entire floor is cleared of wax. Change your cloths frequently to prevent redepositing wax onto the floor.
Leave the wood to dry thoroughly before applying any finish products. It’s important to make sure all traces of wax are removed before sanding or applying finish products to your wood because waxy residue on the surface or in the pores of the wood will interfere with adhesion and can make sanding difficult because it may clog the sandpaper.
No chemical ways........... Vinegar Method
Mix 1 gallon of warm water, 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of cream of tartar in a bucket.
Dip a mop into the solution and apply it to the floor. Allow it to sit for a few minutes until the wax softens.
Scrub the floor in a circular motion, using a scrub brush. Dip the scrub brush into the solution, as needed. Alternatively, use an ultra-fine steel wool pad to remove the old wax.
Fill a bucket with clean water and mop the floor to rinse off the solution.
Ammonia Method
Mix 1/2 to 1 cup of ammonia and 1 cup of laundry detergent with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket.
Dip a mop into the solution and mop the floor thoroughly to saturate it. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes to soften the wax.
Scrub the floor in a circular motion to remove the wax, using a stiff scrub brush or ultra-fine steel wool pad. Rinse the brush or pad in the bucket as often as needed.
Fill a bucket with water and mop with it to remove any cleaning solution.