There is no single price for floor polish in Kenya. The price depends on the type of polish, the surface, how far it spreads, how much you buy and how it is delivered. This guide explains each of those, so you can ask for a quote that gets a straight answer and compare two quotes fairly.
The short answer
Search for polish prices in Kenya and you will find small tins and bottles for the home. A hotel, hospital, school or cleaning company buys by the drum and needs a quote built around the floor area.
Thika Wax Works supplies a natural beeswax polish for wood in a 15 kg bucket, and a buffing polish for terrazzo and other hard surfaces in a 20 litre drum. One litre of the buffing polish covers 4 to 5 square metres. The price depends on the seven things below.
Price factors
Why one polish costs more than another
Two drums of polish can look the same and shine very differently. These are the things that change the price, and what to tell your supplier about each.
| What changes the price | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Type of polish | A natural beeswax polish for wood and a high-gloss buffing polish for terrazzo are different products, made from different ingredients and priced differently. |
| Surface (the scope of the job) | Wood, terrazzo, tiles, marble and concrete take polish differently. The more absorbent the surface, the more polish it uses. |
| Coverage | One litre of our buffing polish covers 4 to 5 square metres, and one litre of the beeswax polish covers 2 to 3 square metres, depending on the wood and how absorbent it is. |
| Number of coats and buffing | A deeper gloss needs several thin coats, with buffing between layers. More coats mean more polish on the same area. |
| Traffic and re-polishing | A busy corridor needs touching up more often than a quiet office. Say how often you expect to re-polish. |
| Volume and how often you order | A one-off container costs more per litre than a standing monthly order. Say how much you expect to use each month. |
| Delivery | Thika, Nairobi, upcountry and export orders have different delivery costs. Always compare prices with delivery included. |
Cost per m²
Price per litre is not what you actually pay
The cost that matters is the cost on each square metre you polish, and how long the shine lasts before you have to do it again.
Use this simple sum:
Cost per m² = price per litre ÷ square metres covered by one litre × number of coats
Here is an example with round numbers, to show the arithmetic. These are not our prices. Polish A costs 120 a litre and covers 5 square metres. Polish B costs 100 a litre and covers 4 square metres. For one coat, A costs 24 a square metre and B costs 25. Polish A is the cheaper polish to use, even though its drum costs more.
A polish that lasts longer between coats also saves labour. If a floor needs polishing every month with one polish and every two months with another, the second costs half as much in labour.
Comparing quotes
How to compare two quotes fairly
- Ask for the price per litre and per drum, and check the container size is the same. Some polish is sold by the litre and some by the kilogram.
- Ask how many square metres one litre covers, and for how many coats.
- Check that delivery is included in both quotes.
- Ask which surface the polish is made for. A cheaper quote may be for a polish that does not suit your floor.
- Ask for a sample you can test on a small area, and ask how long the price holds.
Get a quote
What to tell us to get a fast, accurate quote
You do not need to know the product. Send us these details and we will recommend one:
- What surface you are polishing, for example terrazzo, tiles, marble, concrete or wood.
- The area in square metres, and how often you polish it.
- How much traffic the floor gets, and whether you have a buffing machine.
- How many litres or drums you expect to need each month.
- Where we should deliver, and when you want to start.
- Whether this is a single job or a regular order.
See our polishes range for what we supply, or ask for a quote.
Applications
Where our polishes are used
Our buffing polish gives a high-gloss finish on terrazzo, tiles, floors, metal and other hard surfaces, and shields them from scratches, stains and water spots. Our natural beeswax polish nourishes and protects wooden floors, furniture, doors, trim and kitchen cabinets, and is safe for homes with children and pets.
To go deeper, read our guides on choosing industrial floor polish, floor polish for high traffic, protective floor polish, terrazzo polish and beeswax for polishes.
FAQ
Your questions answered
How much does floor polish cost in Kenya?
It depends on the type of polish, the pack size, the area and your monthly volume. The best way to get a real figure is to send us the floor area and what you are polishing.
How many square metres does one litre of polish cover?
One litre of our buffing polish covers 4 to 5 square metres. One litre of our beeswax polish covers 2 to 3 square metres, depending on the wood.
What size containers do you supply?
The buffing polish comes in a 20 litre drum, and the beeswax polish in a 15 kg bucket.
How do I apply buffing polish?
Sweep and wash the floor first. Spread the polish evenly with a clean mop or applicator, and let it dry. Then buff it with a high-speed floor buffer to bring up the shine.
Can I apply more than one coat?
Yes. For a deeper gloss, apply several thin coats and buff between layers. Touch up busy areas as needed to keep the shine.
Is beeswax polish safe to use at home?
Our beeswax polish is made with natural beeswax and is non-toxic, so it is safe for homes with children and pets. It is made for indoor wood.
Can I use buffing polish on cars?
Our buffing polish is made for hard surfaces including floors, tiles and metal. Check with us for the surface you have in mind.
How often should I re-polish a floor?
It depends on the traffic. Busy corridors need topping up more often than quiet rooms. Touch up the high-traffic areas as soon as the shine fades.
Get a price for your floor
Send us the surface, the area in square metres and how often you polish. We will recommend a polish and quote for it.
Akshay Chandaria is the Sales Director at Thika Wax Works Limited, a manufacturer of industrial waxes, hot melt and cold glue adhesives, floor polishes, cleaning products and construction chemicals for businesses across Kenya.
