Determining the Wax Type

• 1). Dampen a small rag with odorless mineral spirits.
  
  
• 2). Rub the damp rag on small patches of the floor where the film appears.
  
  
• 3). Inspect the rag. If there is a dirty film on the rag, then the wax is paste wax. If nothing comes up with the rag, the wax is water-based acrylic.
  
  

Removing the Wax

• 1). Clean the floors with the odorless mineral spirits if you found paste wax on the floor. Do not dilute the mineral spirits in water. Instead lightly dampen a cloth dust mop with the mineral spirits, and go over the surface.
  
  
• 2). Strip the wax using an ammonia-based wax stripper if you found water-based acrylic wax on the floor. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and remember that this is a harder wax to remove, so it may take a couple of tries.
  
  
• 3). Once the film is removed, apply a new coat of wax to restore the shine.