Cleaning epoxy garage floors is not difficult. In fact, one of the best reasons for installing epoxy floor coatings is for the ease of maintenance. Epoxy garage floors do require some cleaning and maintenance to keep their shine, however. If not cared for properly, some coatings can start to lose their shine due to the sanding effect of the loose dirt and grime moved around by shoes and tires, or be dulled by using the wrong cleaning solution.
Epoxy Garage Floor Maintenance
A quality 24” to 36” dust mop will provide for 90% of your epoxy floor cleaning duties. Dust and dirt do not stick to epoxy garage floors, so you only need to use the dust mop once a week (or sooner if needed) to keep the floor clean. If you have a floor coating with an aggressive anti-slip additive or you don’t care for dust mops for whatever reason, a soft bristle push broom is a great choice as well.
Deep Cleaning
For epoxy garage floors that see a lot of traffic and dirt, it’s a good idea to give your floor a deep cleaning once every 3-4 months. The best cleaning tool for this is a good quality hard foam or microfiber mop. For spot cleaning any stubborn dirt that you encounter, a soft scrub pad can be used. Just don’t scrub too hard or you may degloss the surface.
Cleaning Solutions
A solution that works well for regular cleaning of epoxy garage floors is ½ cup of ammonia to a gallon of hot water in a bucket. Apply it using the foam or microfiber mop. Be sure to rinse the mop frequently in the bucket of hot water to rid it of the debris it picks up. You shouldn’t need anything stronger than this for most jobs.
Windex will give you a little bit more cleaning power if it’s needed. Mix a ratio of 1 part Windex to 3 parts water. The chemicals in Windex will not leave a film on the coating and do a good job of cutting through residue.
Do not use citrus cleaners or vinegar on your epoxy garage floor. These types of cleaners contain acids that can slowly degloss the finish of epoxy and other floor coatings over time. Cleaners containing soap should be avoided as well. Soap can leave streak marks and a hazy film on the surface that impedes the shine of the finish, and makes the floor much more slippery when it gets wet.
Whether it’s a commercial or residential garage, Elite Epoxy has been providing our valued customers in Kansas City and surrounding areas with epoxy floors, sealing services and numerous other design options for over 3 decades. Call us now at (816) 729-7143 or click here for a free consultation.