The garage floor has to hold heavy loads and frequent traffic of vehicles and people which leads to its wear and tear. Epoxy floor coating is tough, resilient, and durable for a floor surface like a garage. They also have very low maintenance and manage to keep their original shine and smoothness for years. cleaning epoxy garage floor is easy if done regularly and with the right equipment and cleaners that help to keep the epoxy floor coating glossy and shiny for a long time
So let’s take a look at how to clean garage epoxy floors with care.
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Tools and solutions for cleaning epoxy floors
1. Dry dust mop
These dry dust mops can be found at local stores or any online stores. They are helpful in quickly removing dust and dirt from epoxy floors. Since dust is dry, it will not stick to the floor, just use the dry mop every alternate day to keep the epoxy floor clean. It is quick work and can be done in a few minutes.
2. Microfiber mops
Microfiber mops are good for cleaning but it has to be done frequently to keep the floor clean. You can also find them in local or online stores easily. They are washable and last longer than the dry mop.
3. Vacuum
A vacuum is a great tool that can suck up everything from tiny residue to heavy dust accumulated over time. They are best to remove grime and dirt from corners and hard-to-reach places that get left out.
4. Scrub brushes
Soft scrub brushes are good to remove the stain and water after cleaning. They don’t leave residue marks on the epoxy floor making them a good tool to use while cleaning.
How to clean garage epoxy floors with care?
1. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean of dirt
Dirt and grit get stuck to the epoxy floor while moving vehicles over time.to avoid this you should sweep the floor and use a soft mop with the brush to sweep away outside sand and dirt that has accumulated. this should be done on a regular basis to avoid the hardening of dirt and grit. epoxy garage floors are water resistant and are easy to clean when any liquid spills over.
If the liquid spills over a small area of the garage it’s better to immediately do a spot cleaning with a strong suction vacuum cleaner which will also take away any dirt. And then wipe the area with a microfiber floor mop and wash it with warm water at the end. If the spill area is very small you can also use a soft scrub pad. But care should be taken so as to not scrub too hard which could damage the gloss of the floor. You should always take extra precautions to keep the floor dust and grit free for as long as possible.
2. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean of Tire marks
Garage floors have tire marks all the time. It is essential to remove the marks immediately as they are made or they will be difficult if kept for long. You can Remove tire marks with a degreaser and scrub with a hard brush till the floor is clean. Then you can rinse it with water and leave it to dry.
3. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean of Car chemicals and oils
The epoxy garage floor comes in contact with many chemicals like engine oil, gas spills, paint, antifreeze, rust, Abrasive or coarse liquids, and other chemicals that are harmful to the epoxy garage floor. You shouldn’t let any chemicals or oils be on the epoxy floor for long.
It is important to remove oils and chemicals as soon as possible to protect the epoxy floor coating. It is best to use a neutralizing agent to neutralize the chemicals first before washing them with water. Then use a sponge to clean the liquid off. It is best to get rid of the chemical as fast as possible or they might discolor and damage the epoxy floor.
Care must be taken to not use harsh cleaners like citrus and vinegar as they are acidic in nature and could end up harming the epoxy floor. Also, avoid soap-based cleaners as they could leave marks on the floor and are dangerously slippery if water gets spilled over.
4. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean of rust
For other stains like rust, you can scrub them softly using warm water to rinse them off at the end. If the rust is too much, you can prepare a lactic acid-based cleaner solution. This can be done by adding equal parts of the lactic acid-based cleanser (like CLR) and water (that is, 1 part lactic acid-based cleaner and 1 part water). You can apply this solution directly to the area and scrub with a scrub brush to clean your epoxy floor. You shouldn’t keep this for more than two minutes on the floor and wash it off with cold water at the end,
5. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean using cleaners
Epoxy floors have to take on damage due to the nature of their use. Daily wear and tear cause physical changes in the epoxy floor making it look dull and unpolished. Exposure to harsh chemicals and daily rough damage also weakens the durability of the floor. Since chemical spills can frequently happen in an environment with vehicles, it is best to always clean them immediately. You can keep your epoxy garage floor clean by using various cleaners available on the market. They are specially made for preserving the glossy look of the epoxy floor.
6. Keep your epoxy garage floor clean using ammonium solution
You can keep your epoxy garage floor clean by using an ammonium solution. But first, you’ll want to remove any vehicle or items that will stand in your way from cleaning thoroughly.
Then remove the excess dirt by sweeping and giving it a vacuum cleaning first. And after that, you can apply the ammonium solution to your epoxy floor.
Diluted ammonia is the best cleaner for garage epoxy floors and is very simple to make. You can make this cleaning solution at your home or garage by adding half a cup of ammonia to 3.8 liters of hot water.
Then apply this diluted ammonia solution to your epoxy floor. You should use gloves while handling this solution and apply them to the epoxy garage floor using a good-quality floor mop. Repeat till all stains are gone, Then rinse off with clean water and leave to air-dry or use a soft towel.
How to clean Epoxy garage floors using cleaners
Epoxy floors have to take on damage due to the nature of their use. Daily wear and tear cause physical changes in the epoxy floor making it look dull and unpolished. Exposure to harsh chemicals and daily rough damage also weakens the durability of the floor. Since chemical spills can frequently happen in an environment with vehicles, it is best to always clean them immediately. But first, you’ll want to remove any vehicle or items that will stand in your way from cleaning thoroughly.
Then remove the excess dirt by sweeping and giving it a vacuum cleaning first. And after that, you can apply the ammonium solution to your epoxy floor. Diluted ammonia is the best cleaner for garage epoxy floors and is very simple to make. You can make this cleaning solution at your home or garage by adding a half cup of ammonia to 3.8 liters of hot water. Then apply this diluted ammonia solution to your epoxy floor. You should use gloves while handling this solution and apply them to the epoxy garage floor using a good-quality floor mop. Repeat till all stains are gone, Then rinse off with clean water and leave to air-dry or use a soft towel.
How to maintain Epoxy floor cleaning
Maintaining a regular cleaning habit makes sure that you don’t get to do an expensive repair or even the replacement of the epoxy floor coating. Keep a regular log of cleaning and get rid of dust and grime before they settle on the floor to last longer. It is also better to remove spots from tire marks and any dirt or rust accumulated to be cleaned immediately with a scrubbing pad. The combination of mopping and vacuuming once a week is good for deep cleaning at least once a month.
A doormat at the door of the garage acts as a barrier from dirt, mud, and snow. A rough walk-off mat helps to keep the dirt from vehicles and shoes off the epoxy floor. Secondly, a plywood and welding mat provides a great barrier between the garage floor. They protect the epoxy floor coating from any scratches and heat. And lastly, applying good quality floor wax on top protects the floor and also gives it a great polished look.
What should you not put on an epoxy floor?
When cleaning epoxy garage floors, don’t make use of any soap-based cleaners as they leave behind haze or streak marks on the surface that dull the look of the floor over time. and if not give good water rinse or they could get slippery and dangerous to walk on if wet.
FAQs
Can epoxy garage floors peel or chip?
Professionally installed epoxy floors don’t peel or chip with daily usage. But care should be taken while preparing and installing them. They usually come with a warranty from 2 years for residential to a lifetime warranty with other companies.
Should you wax the epoxy garage floor?
The Epoxy garage floor comes with a natural shine and glossy finish, so it’s not necessary to wax it. But if the floor has been in use for years, then you can apply a few coats of wax to get the shine back and protect the floor. Epoxy floors will need a more frequent coating of wax if it has high traffic flow.
Should you power wash the epoxy garage floor?
The newly installed epoxy garage floor doesn’t need power washing for cleaning. However, if the epoxy floor is very dirty then you can decide to power wash it but be careful to not handle the nozzle too close to the floor.
Can you clean the epoxy floor with vinegar?
No, Epoxy floor cleaning shouldn’t contain any product with vinegar. It is acidic in nature and will strip the glossy finish look of the floor.
Can you steam-clean epoxy floors?
Steam cleaning helps to lift harsh stains such as grease and wet grime. It is preferred to do steam cleaning at least once a month to keep the epoxy floor shiny and glossy.
5. How to sterilize epoxy floors without stripping the epoxy coating?
The easiest and safest way to sterilize epoxy floors without stripping the epoxy coating is by mopping the surface with a disinfectant solution mixed with water. Diluting it with water will make sure that it won’t leave any streak marks and residue on the surface.
6. How do you fix scratches on the epoxy floor?
You can use a small amount of furniture polish and gently rub it onto the scratched surface of the epoxy floor. Make sure to rub it in a circular motion to distribute the polish evenly. Do this till the scratches blend in with the epoxy coating. And then keep it dry for some time.
7. Can you use soap to clean the epoxy floor?
Soap-based floor cleaners leave behind haze or streak marks on the surface. They make the surface look dull over time. And if a good water rinse is not given, they could get dangerously slippery to walk on.
8. Can you use bleach to clean the epoxy garage floor?
You shouldn’t use bleach to clean the epoxy garage floor. It is a strong chemical that can damage the floor’s surface. Cleaning with bleach could remove the glossy texture of the epoxy floor.
Conclusion
Epoxy floors are a great choice for coating your garage. They are a very low-maintenance option to have with minimum caring needed. The best way to clean the epoxy garage floor is all mentioned above with minimum requirements. If you stick to the above-mentioned practices in cleaning your epoxy garage floor, they will last longer and won’t be needing expensive repairs or replacement in near future.