It’s not complicated work, but it does require the right equipment, the right chemicals, and knowing what you’re doing. DIY floor stripping usually ends in sticky residue, uneven results, and a lot of wasted weekends.

Call +17735704224 for a free estimate. We’ll tell you exactly what your floors need.

Why Floors Need Stripping (Not Just Cleaning)

Here’s what happens over time with vinyl and VCT floors:

Every time someone applies floor wax or finish, it creates a protective layer. That’s good—it protects the actual vinyl. But that layer gets scratched, scuffed, and dirty. So you apply another coat. And another. And another.

After a few years, you’ve got five, ten, maybe fifteen layers of finish built up. The bottom layers have turned yellow. Dirt is trapped between layers. The surface is uneven and dull. No amount of mopping or buffing will fix it because the problem isn’t on top—it’s buried under all that buildup.

Stripping removes ALL of it. Every layer, down to the bare vinyl. Then we apply fresh finish that actually looks good and protects properly.

Signs your floors need stripping:

• Yellow or amber discoloration – Old wax oxidizes and turns yellow
• Dull appearance even after cleaning – Buildup prevents shine
• Visible wax buildup in corners and edges – This is where it accumulates most
• Scuff marks that won’t come out – They’re trapped under finish layers
• Uneven sheen – Some areas shinier than others
• Black marks and heel marks – Embedded in old finish

If your floors have any of these issues, cleaning won’t help. You need stripping and refinishing. It’s part of our broader carpet and floor cleaning services in Chicago for complete facility maintenance.

Our Floor Stripping Process

Step 1: Assessment and prep We look at your floors, identify the type of vinyl (VCT, LVT, sheet vinyl—they’re all different), check the condition, and determine what stripping solution will work best. Then we clear and prep the area. Furniture gets moved, baseboards get protected.

Step 2: Apply stripping solution Commercial-grade stripper goes down. Not the stuff from Home Depot—professional solutions that actually break down multiple layers of finish. We let it dwell for the right amount of time. Too short and it doesn’t work. Too long and it can damage the vinyl.

Step 3: Agitation Floor machines with stripping pads work the solution into the floor, breaking up all that old wax and finish. This is where years of buildup finally let go. It’s honestly kind of satisfying to watch.

Step 4: Extraction We vacuum up all the dissolved finish, dirt, and stripping solution. This step matters a lot—any residue left behind will cause problems with the new finish. We rinse and extract until the floor is completely clean.

Step 5: Neutralization Stripping solutions are alkaline. New floor finish needs a neutral surface to bond properly. We neutralize the floor and let it dry completely.

Step 6: Finish application Multiple coats of high-quality floor finish. Usually 3-4 coats for commercial settings, sometimes more for high-traffic areas. Each coat dries before the next goes on. We use commercial-grade finishes that last longer and look better than consumer products.

Step 7: Curing Finish needs time to fully cure and harden. We’ll tell you when it’s safe for foot traffic and when you can move furniture back.

The whole process takes a day or two depending on floor size. Commercial jobs often happen overnight or over weekends so you’re not shutting down operations.