1. Know exactly what must be done to cut labor time even before you start. check the floor area carefully. Note special problems - excess finish, stains, black heel marks, etc. Plan the job accordingly.

2. Start by emptying all wastebaskets, disonnecting electrical appliances, and moving all light furniture and equipment out of the work area. Work around heavy equipment, or get enough help to move it.

3. Sweep the entire floor area with a broom, dust mop or a treated cloth making sure that all dust, loose dirt, and debris are picked up.

4. Leave large stationary items, such as filing cabinets, in place during floor preparation. To clean closer to these items, use a hand held scrubbing pad.

5. Look for stubbornly-adhering foreign materials, such as chewing gum, while sweeping or dusting. These can be removed with a putty knife or scraper. Avoid gouging or scoring the floor.

7. Mix stripping solution. Hot or warm water is better than cold. Allow more contact time for stripping with colder water.

8. Post "Wet Floor" signs at appropriate locations.

9. Apply the stripping solution to the floor as the next step. Start by dipping a clean mop into the bucket. Withdraw the mop and tamp lightly in wringer. Don't wring. Note: Do not use the stripper mop for any other purpose.

10. Start applying the stripping solution uniformly in a corner opposite the door and plan to work toward the door. Small to medium rooms may be covered in a single application - larger areas in stages.

11. Fan out the mop and make sure to wet the edges of the floor along the baseboard. Avoid splashing walls and baseboards. If splashing occurs, wipe off splashed areas immediately with a damp sponge or cloth.

12. After outlining the area to be stripped, apply solution to the floor within this outline, covering the floor with a series of 6- to 9-foot arcs with the mop. Apply enough solution to wet the floor thoroughly but avoid flooding. Let solution work in for 5 to 10 minutes.

13. Use a floor machine equipped with black or brown stripping pad to remove old finish. Start in a corner and move the machine across the floor in overlapping strokes, carrying the solution along. Note: Remove any splashes off the baseboard before it dries.

IMPORTANT - Do not allow the dirty stripping solution to dry on the floor.

14. Pick up all dirty stripping solution with a wet vac pick-up, covering one area at a time. Or, squeegee dirty stripping solution and pick up with a mop. Avoid contaminating the unused stripping solution by picking up into a separate bucket.

15. Rinse immediately using clean water and a clean mop and bucket. Use enough water to thoroughly wet but not flood the floor. Pick up with wet vac or squeegee and mop. Repeat rinsing and pick-up operation.

16. Avoid tracking the floor once it's rinsed. Now you've completed the first and most critical phase of floor care. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly before the next step.