Damp Mopping- A maintenance method using a well wrung-out mop dampened with water or cleaning solution to remove light soil from floors.

Defoamer- A substance used to reduce foaming due to agitation. Defoamers include silicone fluids and organic phosphates.

Detergent- A chemical which is used for cleaning surfaces that may posses various properties such as surface wetting, soil emulsification, soil dispersion or soil suspension. A type of chemical which possesses surfactant properties including surface wetting, soil dispersion, etc. This detergent chemical does not ionize with positive or negative charges. It is compatible in mixtures with either cationic or anionic surfactants. It is not compatible, however, with phenolic germicides.

Detergent Resistance- Ability to withstand treatment with detergent solution such as 1:40 GP Forward to water without being damaged.

Dirt Embodiment- Presence of trapped dirt and foreign matter which cannot be removed by detergent washing. Soft films or excess plasticizer are the usual causes of dirt embodiment.

Bright Floor Finish- A term meaning the same as self-polishing floor finish.

Dry Buffing- A maintenance method using floor machine and appropriate polishing pad or brush to restore floor finish to glossy appearance.

Dry Stripping- A maintenance technique used to remove floor finish with a floor machine, suitable pad and spray stripping solution.

Dry Time- Four types of drying phenomena exist:

(1) Dry to Touch - (sometimes called dry to eye or visual dryness) Time when film feels or appears dry.

(2) Tack Free Time - Time when dry materials, such as dust or tissue, cannot be made to adhere to the surface even when pressure is applied.

(3) Recoat Time- Time when additional coat can be applied to previous coat without bad effects such as whitening.

(4) Full Cure Time - Time when physical properties of film are fully developed and, therefore, cease to change.

Durability- Resistance to change from original appearance. Durability is a term used to describe how long polish film will resist changes in appearance caused by foot traffic or other types of wear before spray buffing, recoating or stripping is considered necessary. Terms used to describe durability include abrasion resistance, adhesion, black heel mark resistance, lack of dirt embodiment, hardness, scuff resistance, scratch resistance, detergent resistance and gloss retention.

Dust Mopping-A maintenance method used to remove dust from floors with a dry or specially treated mop.