Most property managers will wax (and strip) their tile because it’s the only maintenance process they are familiar with.But I want to let you know you have a choice! An alternative to waxing is using a sealer.
Sealers, like waxing, prevent visible stains, smell, wear and scratches on tile and grout. However, sealers like MicroGuard have some great advantages over wax, especially when it comes to reducing maintenance costs.
Below area couple reasons why you should consider using a sealer on tile and grout (as opposed to waxing).
Reduce cleaning and maintenance costs
One of the advantages of using a sealer like MicroGuard over wax is that the sealer helps reduce labor and costs associated with maintenance. Wax products offer protection, but don’t necessarily help reduce maintenance costs. 
For example, dirt can get embedded into wax, which makes cleaning painstakingly difficult to do. I’ve seen some facilities use a pumice stone to dig out the dirt, but what ends up happening is that the stone actually rips off the shine /skin of the tile. Once this happens, dirt gets embedded and now the floors are even more difficult to clean. Additionally, waxing should be done one to two times a year, depending on foot traffic. You should strip off the old layer of wax and then put down a new layer. Instead, what I often see is that a new layerof wax will go over the old waxlayer.
As I mentioned, dirt gets embedded in wax and over time, you’ve got layers of wax, dirt, wax, dirt, wax, etc. This practice leads to unsightly surfaces (see photo below). On the other hand, a sealer like MicroGuard has hydrophobic film properties, meaning it naturally repels water and can also repel dirt and other debris. Since dirt doesn’t get embedded in the layer, cleaning becomes much easier. You don’t have to use abrasive chemicals and cleaning products such as Clorox and Ajax. Instead, all you need is a clean mop and a diluted disinfectant to thoroughly wash the surface. Not only is the cleaning and maintenance process cheaper, but it’s easier for those doing the cleaning! The coating can be reapplied every 3-5 years (as opposed to waxing twice a year).
Aesthetically pleasing
A recurring theme with wax is the buildup of dirt and debris. Take a look at the picture below; you can see the brown/yellow discoloration. That’s because instead of striping the old layer of wax, a new layer was simply laid down on top of the old layer. The photo below shows the result of the wax/dirt layers. Also notice the discoloration of the tile where the ground meets the walls. This particular restroom was “maintained” using wax.
Now, take a look at the next photo of the same restroom coated with MicroGuard. I’d say it looks pretty good! MicroGuard is a clear gloss treatment, so not only does it protect tile and grout, but it leaves a beautiful glossy finish.
Convinced yet?
Since you’ve invested money in your tile and grout, it’s safe to assume you’d like it to last as long as possible and you’d like to keep maintenance costs as low as possible. While both wax and sealers are capable of protecting tile and grout, it’s easy to see how sealers like MicroGuard have a leg up on waxing in terms of ease of upkeep. If you’re tired of the waxing and stripping routine, you have an alternative choice: use a sealer (preferably MicroGuard)!