ICAN/ATEX: What is the difference between floor wax and polish?

Many cleaning professionals visit the International Custodial Advisers Network (ICAN) Ask the Experts page for insight and, every business day, we deliver advice to better help you perform your job.

Wednesday’s Question:ICANATEX Logo

We have a question about floor wax and polish: What’s the difference between the two?

No one on our cleaning crew seems to know.

We have vinyl flooring and have been using a trusted product, and we are due for some maintenance.

Do we perform a strip and wax, or should we polish?

Wednesday’s Answer:

waxed floorVinyl and most other resilient tile floors today are protected and beautified by using a metal-interlock finish constructed with styrene acrylic polymers.

In fact, natural waxes have not been in common use for floor protection for 50 years.

Consequently, the correct phrase is … – Lynn E. Krafft, ICAN/ATEX editor

To read this response in its entirety, click here.

 

           
Posted On March 6, 2013

Lynn Krafft

ICAN/ATEX Editor

Topics Tags
 

Also in Facility Management

refinish floor
October 5, 2026 Zac Haiflich

5 Flooring Maintenance Tips to Improve Floor Performance

September 23, 2026 Charles Noonan

Proper Decontamination Protects Facilities from Narcotic Hazards

September 21, 2026 Jeff Cross

The Intersection of Facility Innovation and Cleaning Excellence

September 14, 2026 Doug McMurtrie

Build OSHA Inspection Readiness into Your Cleaning Program

Sponsored in Facility Management

Riccardo Balducci, Group Sustainability Director at Sofide
July 17, 2025 Sponsored by Sofidel

The Sofidel Standard: A Bold Sustainability Journey With a Conscience

July 3, 2025 Sponsored by City Wide Facility Solutions

Operational Excellence at Scale: The City Wide Solution to Facility Management

May 15, 2024 Sponsored by Spartan Chemical Company

A Return to Sustainability: Trends in Professional Cleaning Programs

April 11, 2024 Sponsored by Spartan Chemical Company

CleanCheck: The BSC’s Secret to Compliance, Safety, and Employee Retention

Recent News

Imagei A Day Without Water

Imagine a Day Without Water Takes Place October 15

Who Sees Themselves as Working Class?

Most Want to Thank Restroom Cleaning Staff, But Rarely Do

ISEA Releases Updated Head Protection Standard

ICAN/ATEX: What is the difference between floor wax and polish?
Share Article
Subscribe to CMM