How often should you strip and wax VCT floors?
October 15, 2026, 3 min read
Most commercial VCT floors need a full strip and wax once or twice a year and a deep scrub and recoat every three to six months. Daily dust mopping and damp mopping decide how long the finish lasts between them.
Vinyl composition tile, or VCT, is the hard floor in most offices, stores, schools and clinics. It is durable and inexpensive, but it depends on its finish. The finish is what shines, what protects the tile and what wears away under foot traffic. Knowing when to refresh it saves money, because a floor that is maintained on schedule needs fewer full strips.
The four levels of floor care
Daily: dust mop and damp mop
Grit is what wears finish down. Dust mopping removes it before shoes grind it into the surface, and damp mopping with a neutral cleaner lifts what is left. This is part of routine janitorial cleaning.
Weekly or monthly: burnishing
A high-speed burnisher polishes the top of the finish and brings the shine back. It works on finishes designed for burnishing and is common in retail stores and lobbies.
Every 3 to 6 months: deep scrub and recoat
A floor machine scrubs off the worn top layers and the dirt trapped in them, then fresh coats of finish go on top. The floor looks close to new without removing everything.
Once or twice a year: full strip and wax
Stripper and a floor machine take all the old finish off, down to the tile. The floor is rinsed, neutralized and refinished with several new coats. This resets yellowing, buildup at the edges and dirt sealed between layers.
A typical schedule by traffic
- Busy retail and entries: burnish weekly, scrub and recoat every 3 months, strip once or twice a year
- Offices and hallways: scrub and recoat every 4 to 6 months, strip once a year
- Low-traffic rooms: scrub and recoat once or twice a year, strip every 1 to 2 years
Signs your floor needs attention now
- The floor looks dull even right after mopping
- A yellow or grey cast, especially near walls and corners
- Dark buildup along baseboards and under racks
- Scuffs and traffic paths that do not mop out
- Finish peeling or powdering in high-traffic areas
Scrub and recoat or full strip?
If the floor is mainly dull and scuffed, a scrub and recoat usually brings it back. If you see yellowing, dirt sealed between layers or heavy buildup at the edges, the finish needs to come off completely. Alternating between the two is the most cost-effective approach: recoats extend the time between full strips.
How to keep the shine longer
- Use walk-off mats at every entrance, especially in Spokane winters when grit and de-icer come inside
- Dust mop daily before damp mopping
- Use a neutral floor cleaner, not degreasers or ammonia
- Put felt pads under chairs and furniture
- Book recoats before the finish wears through to the tile
Winter in Spokane is hard on floors
Sand, gravel and ice melt tracked in from November to March act like sandpaper on floor finish and can leave a white film. Many businesses schedule a scrub and recoat in early spring to remove the winter residue, and a full strip in late summer before the next season starts.
We strip and wax floors at night or on weekends so your business stays open. Call or text (509) 608-2210 for a free floor evaluation.