Can floor wax make you sick?

The fumes released by floor stripping chemicals are toxic, inducing a variety of health complaints and making the use of protective masks and proper ventilation imperative. Inhaling floor stripping fumes may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, chest pains and coughing, according to Cleaning Pro.

What chemicals are in floor wax?

The most common ingredients used in VCT waxing and commercial waxes include shellac, polyurethane, lacquer, perchloroethylene, toluene and phenol.

What type of wax is floor wax?

Why wax hardwood floors? Popularized in the 1940s, waxing is a floor finishing technique in which clear or colored wax, made of a blend of solvents and synthetic and/or natural waxes like beeswax or carnauba, is applied to a hardwood floor in a thin layer and then buffed to a shine.

Is floor wax flammable?

Main hazards Flammable. Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed. Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.

Can floor polish make you sick?

When left uncured, polyurethane can cause asthma and other breathing problems. Those who spend time in rooms that have uncured polyurethane floor treatments may also experience health issues like throat and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, headaches, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Should you wear a mask when stripping floors?

You do not want to wear a dust mask when stripping floors. Make sure you are providing a vapor mask when needed. Those with an existing breathing condition or heart condition should check with their doctor before using a vapor mask. Bio-Shine partners with Honeywell to provide appropriate training for FREE.

Is floor polish toxic?

Many varnish products contain benzene, which is a known carcinogen that is highly flammable. The solvents in varnish are extremely pungent, and the fumes can cause drowsiness, headaches, skin irritation and dizziness.

What is floor wax for?

Definition of floor wax : a preparation made typically of a mixture of beeswax and vegetable waxes in a suitable vehicle and used for polishing and preserving the finish of floors.

Can you mix floor wax with water?

Mix a solution of one part cleaning solution to nine parts water. Mop this solution all over the floor to remove dirt and debris. Rinse with water. Pour the floor wax into the bucket and work over the surface of the floor using long, steady strokes.

Why is floor wax important?

It helps to preserve your floors for longer by protecting them from scratches, marks, nicks and spill stains. Waxing adds shine to your floors which can brighten the room and give off a squeaky clean appearance. It can diminish the appearance of grooves and faults especially in a wooden floor.

What materials presents a health hazard?

Materials that are health hazards include carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, those which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.

Is floor wax bad for You?

Among the worst chemical offenders commonly found in mainstream floor wax are: Cresol, which can cause liver and kidney damage if inhaled over extended periods of time Formaldehyde, which has been linked to everything from asthma to reproductive problems to cancer, is also a key floor wax ingredient that should be avoided whenever possible.

Do I need to strip my floor before waxing?

Determine whether you need to strip your floor. If your floor has not previously been treated with wax or finish, you can skip straight to Waxing the Floor. If it was treated with wax but the old layer only suffers from scratches, not discoloration, you can also skip straight to waxing.

How do you take care of waxed hardwood floors?

Caring for a Waxed Floor Reapply wax to the floors regularly. Wooden floors should have an additional layer of wax added once every six to twelve months. Don’t use a soaking mop, and never mop waxed hardwood. The wax seal is not watertight, so the water could damage the wood. Buff or polish the floor if the shine fades.

How hard is it to remove winwax from wood?

Wax is difficult to fully remove, since it soaks into the wood. This makes the floor unsuitable for a synthetic finish unless you hire a professional to strip the wax fully, but new wax can be applied without difficulty after stripping, or even simply applied on top if the old layer is only scratched, not dirty.