How to Wax Tile Floors

How to Wax Tile Floors
Written By
Dawn Gibbs
Dawn Gibbs
Published: Jul 13, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Wax can build up over time, however, so it is important to remove the old wax coating and clean the floor thoroughly before adding an additional wax layer.

Things You Will Need

  • Scrub brush
  • Mop
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • 1 cup cream of tartar
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • 1 gallon household vinegar
  • Floor wax
  • Clean cloth
  • Dry towel
  1. Pour the vinegar and cream of tartar into the bucket and agitate with the scrub brush. Scrub the tile floor in a circular motion until the wax coating is gone. Put the dry towel under the tap to wet it, then wring it out. Go behind yourself with the dry towel, wiping down each section after you remove the wax. Continue for the entire floor.

  2. Empty the bucket and rinse it out. Fill the bucket with warm water and squeeze in 2 squirts of dishwashing liquid. Lower the mop into the water and agitate by lifting the mop up and down until the water is sudsy. Mop the entire floor with the soapy water to remove any vinegar residue or leftover floor wax. Empty the bucket, rinse it, then fill with warm water. Go over the floor with the warm water and mop to rinse it. Let the bucket, mop head and floor air dry.

  3. Open the bottle of floor wax and pour it into the dry bucket. Dip the mop head into the floor wax and drag it along the floor, starting along the wall farthest from the door. Apply the wax in even coats, one strip at a time, walking back and forth across the room and toward the door. Let the first coat dry for an hour and apply a second coat. Let that coat dry for two hours before moving furniture back into the room.

The Drip Cap

  • Waxing a tile floor provides an attractive shine and a protective coating that makes the floors easier to clean.
  • The wax layer also provides the tile floor with extra protection against stains.
  • Put the dry towel under the tap to wet it, then wring it out.
  • Continue for the entire floor.
  • Let the bucket, mop head and floor air dry.

Photo Credits

old floor #1 image by rmarinello from Fotolia.com

old floor #1 image by rmarinello from Fotolia.com

Dawn Gibbs

Based in Richmond, Va., Dawn Gibbs writes about topics such as history, fashion, literature, crafts, alternative medicine and healthy living. Her work has appeared on GreenDaily.com and several style websites. Gibbs holds a Bachelor of…

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