Abstract: Floor finishes are stripped or deep scrubbed using a floor stripper/cleaner composition containing a phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol, an oxygenated swelling solvent other than the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol, water, sufficient coupler so that the composition has a single phase, and sufficient saponification agent comprising the reaction product of a fatty acid or fatty ester with a stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide so that the composition has an alkaline pH and has a reduced oily residue after stripping when compared to an otherwise similar composition that does not contain the saponification agent. The composition is useful for removing ultradurable (e.g., crosslinked) floor finishes, especially on flooring substrates that are susceptible to chemical attack.

Abstract: Floor finishes are stripped or deep scrubbed using a floor stripper/cleaner composition containing sparingly water-soluble floor finish solvent; water; sulfonic acid, sulfate acid, phosphonic acid, phosphate acid or aromatic acid coupler in an amount sufficient to provide a homogenous aqueous liquid phase and no or low foaming during shaking; and sufficient organic amine so that the composition pH is about 2 to about 11.