Stripping and waxing floors is a service that many cleaning companies provide, but not all are doing it productively and safely so as to maximize profit on the job.

If you want to provide floor care services, you need to make sure your employees are following the procedures YOU set for them. Below are preparation tips for stripping and waxing floors:

• Start with a standard equipment checklist. All your stripping and waxing tools and equipment should be kept separate from other cleaning equipment. We suggest keeping tools and chemicals in a heavy duty tote. Keep a laminated checklist of required equipment in the tote so you or your employees can go through the list when preparing for a job to make sure nothing is missing. There is nothing more frustrating than getting to the job site only to find that your putty knife or some other important piece of equipment is missing!
• Measure all chemicals according to manufacturer’s instructions. Read the label to make sure chemicals are being diluted properly. Employees who don’t follow directions and use the “glug-glug” method of measuring are taking risks with the floor they’re working on and they’re also taking risks with their own safety.
• After mixing chemicals, take all equipment and tools to the area being stripped and waxed. Running back and forth is a waste of time and productivity so make sure everything you need is close at hand.
• Set up temporary barriers. Use yellow tape or rope to block the area. Floors that are being stripped and waxed are slippery so keeping the area blocked off helps to prevent slip/fall accidents.
• Wear safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, knee pads and rubber shoe covers.
• After the floor has been stripped and you’ve applied the first coat of finish, you have time between coats to work on cleaning up the equipment. Make sure you train your employees to remain productive while waiting for finish to dry. Each piece of equipment can be cleaned, dried and loaded back into the vehicle.

Part of the reason cleaning companies lose money on stripping and waxing is due to lack of training and lack of productivity. The more time wasted on a job, the more money you lose. By putting systems into place for stripping and waxing floor jobs, you’ll maximize your profit.

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Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com.