Protecting Hard Floors From Wisconsin Winter Salt: Strip, Wax and Burnish Schedule
How schools, offices and churches in Dane County can keep VCT and sealed floors from salt damage — and when to schedule strip & wax.
Road salt and sand tracked in from November through March are the fastest way to dull and damage hard floors. A simple schedule keeps them protected.
Before winter (October–November)
Strip and refinish heavy-traffic hard floors so they go into winter with fresh, full protection. Schedule it around a long weekend or a closure so the finish has time to cure.
During winter
- Entry mats inside and outside every door, cleaned frequently
- Daily dust-mopping and damp-mopping of entries with a neutral cleaner to lift salt residue
- Periodic burnishing to restore shine
- Spot recoats in the worst traffic lanes
Winter break for schools and churches
Winter break is the best window for deep floor work in schools, daycares and churches: buildings are empty and the finish can cure overnight.
After winter (April–May)
Scrub and recoat — or strip and refinish if salt has worked into the finish — to reset floors for the rest of the year.
Schedule floor care with IBS
Email info@ibscleaningwi.com with your floor types and square footage and we will send a written floor-care plan.