Floor stripping, waxing and buffing that brings the shine back
Hard floors take a beating from foot traffic, and it shows. We strip off the old finish, lay down fresh protective coats and buff to a professional shine, for businesses and facilities across Urbana, Champaign, Rantoul and surrounding areas within 50 miles.
Floors that look cared for, and stay that way
A well-maintained floor is one of the first things customers notice when they walk in, even if they never think about it consciously. A dull, scuffed floor makes a space feel neglected, while a clean, glossy one signals that a business has its act together. AICS restores and protects VCT, vinyl, tile, linoleum and concrete floors so yours falls firmly in the second camp.
Regular waxing does more than look good. It puts a sacrificial layer of finish between your floor and everything that gets dragged across it, which extends the life of the floor and keeps a space looking cared for between deep cleans. We handle floor care for offices, retail, medical suites, schools and facilities throughout Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, Mahomet, St. Joseph and Rantoul, plus surrounding areas within 50 miles.
What a strip and wax includes
A full strip and wax is a start-to-finish reset for your floor. Here is what a typical job covers:
- Move light furniture and prep the areaWe clear the floor and protect walls, baseboards and fixtures before we start.
- Dust mop and deep scrub to lift dirtLoose grit comes up first so it never gets ground into the finish.
- Strip the old wax and finish completelyCommercial stripper and machine pads take the floor back down to a clean surface.
- Neutralize and rinse the floorWe neutralize the stripper and rinse thoroughly so new finish bonds properly.
- Apply multiple coats of commercial-grade floor finishThin, even coats build a durable, glossy surface that stands up to traffic.
- Burnish and buff to a high, even shineA final buff brings out the gloss and leaves the floor looking brand new.
Floor types we handle
Strip-and-wax is meant for resilient, hard-surface floors, and that covers most commercial spaces. We regularly strip and wax:
VCT (vinyl composition tile), vinyl, linoleum, sealed concrete and tile. These are the workhorses of retail, offices, schools and medical buildings, and they respond beautifully to a fresh finish. Hardwood and laminate are a different story: we clean and polish those rather than stripping and waxing them, because they call for a gentler kind of care.
Floor care also pairs well with a full commercial cleaning program. Plenty of clients have us handle the day-to-day janitorial work and keep their floors on a waxing schedule at the same time, so everything stays consistent under one point of contact.
Strip and wax vs scrub and recoat
These two get confused all the time, and picking the right one saves money. Here is the plain-English difference:
A full strip and wax removes all of the old finish down to the floor and rebuilds it from scratch. It is the right choice when the finish is worn, discolored or built up unevenly, because no amount of cleaning fixes a finish that is already breaking down.
A scrub and recoat deep-cleans the existing finish and adds fresh top coats over it, without stripping everything off. It is cheaper and faster, and it extends the time between full strips by keeping the finish healthy. We usually recommend the right one after seeing the floor in person, since condition matters more than age.
What floor waxing costs
Pricing comes down to the size of the floor, the surface type and the shape it is in. Here is a realistic range to set expectations before your free quote.
| Service | Typical range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Strip & wax | $0.25 – $0.85 / sq ft | Worn or discolored finish |
| Scrub & recoat | $0.15 – $0.40 / sq ft | Maintaining an existing finish |
| Burnish / buff | Quoted per visit | Keeping the shine between coats |
| High-traffic program | Custom schedule | Retail, kitchens and lobbies |
How often should floors be waxed?
There is no single answer, because it depends entirely on traffic. As a general guide:
- Most commercial floorsA full strip and wax every 5 to 6 months keeps the finish healthy.
- High-traffic retail and lobbiesEvery 2 to 3 months, since these floors see the most wear.
- Light-traffic officesAbout once a year is usually plenty to keep them sharp.
- Kitchens and entrancesThese vary widely, often every 6 to 18 months depending on use.
Floor waxing FAQs
How often should commercial floors be stripped and waxed?
Most commercial floors do well with a full strip and wax every 5 to 6 months. High-traffic areas like retail floors and lobbies often need it every 2 to 3 months, while light-use offices are usually fine about once a year. The right interval comes down to how much foot traffic the floor sees and how sharp you want it to look.
How much does floor stripping and waxing cost?
A full strip and wax commonly runs from about $0.25 to $0.85 per square foot, and a scrub and recoat costs less because it is faster and uses less material. The final price depends on the size of the floor, the type of surface and the condition it is in. We give you an exact quote after seeing the floor.
What is the difference between a strip and wax and a scrub and recoat?
A strip and wax removes all the old finish down to the floor and rebuilds it with fresh coats, which is the right call when the finish is worn or discolored. A scrub and recoat cleans the floor and adds fresh top coats without stripping everything off. It is cheaper and extends the life of the floor between full strips.
What types of floors can you wax?
We strip and wax VCT, vinyl, linoleum, sealed concrete and tile. Hardwood and laminate are cleaned and polished rather than waxed, since they need a different kind of care. If you are not sure what you have, we can take a look and recommend the right approach.
Can you work after hours or on weekends?
Yes. Floors need time to dry and cure, so evenings and weekends are ideal. Working after hours keeps your business running without wet floors or equipment in the way of your team and customers.
How long before we can walk on the floor?
Light foot traffic is usually fine within a couple of hours. We recommend waiting a bit longer before moving heavy furniture back so the finish has time to fully cure and does not scuff or lift.
Let's bring the shine back to your floors
Book a free quote and we will look at your floors, recommend the right service and give you honest pricing that fits your space and schedule.