If you took the plunge to install garage floor epoxy, congratulations! Epoxy floors are an excellent choice and easy to maintain. You need your floors to take a licking and keep on ticking. And you want them to look fantastic, too. All of that comes with epoxy floor coatings. 

No matter which areas of the floor you need to address, it’s a good idea to install epoxy floors. You will make your life easier and add value to each space. The team at Southern Illinois Ecoblast is here to handle all your coating needs.

Maintain Epoxy Garage Floors

Choosing to have epoxy products for your garage floor is an easy step. It is durable and stain-resistant. And epoxy is an affordable way to update your garage so that you have a stunning show-room quality floor.

So what goes into cleaning the floor? Not much, actually. Maintaining your epoxy floor in the garage is a simple process.

When you invest in the epoxy garage floor cost, you want to know the best way to care for this beautiful surface. Cleaning your garage floor epoxy is not challenging. But there are some tips to make sure you don’t harm your epoxy garage floor coating. 

Several factors come into play when maintaining your garage floor paint:

  • How did the installers apply the epoxy?
  • Does your floor have color flakes?
  • Does your floor have an etching solution applied?
  • How many mils thick is the epoxy?

If you used a garage floor epoxy kit to resurface the concrete floor in your car garage, there might be specific instructions with that. 

Let’s take a look at the simple steps you should take to keep your high-build epoxy floors in excellent shape.

1. Sweep Your Floor

A crucial step that keeps your epoxy flooring looking great is to sweep it regularly. At least once a week, you should clean your floors. In areas with significant foot traffic, you probably need to do this chore every day. 

Regular, thorough sweeping is the best thing you can do to keep your floors in great shape. The more consistent you are with this step, the more you will get out your garage floor epoxy.

The reason that sweeping is so crucial is that loose dirt, dust, and debris are the most damaging things to your epoxy flooring. When car tires and foot traffic grind into that dirt, they can wear down even the best epoxy topcoat. Removing as much of it as possible will go a long way in protecting the floor.

So, what type of broom should you use? Or does it even matter? Surprisingly,  it does. After spending the time to install your new epoxy floor, make sure you treat it right. A dust mop is the top choice to care for your epoxy floors. 

You can pick up a great one at your local home improvement store or online. These options are gentle on your floors and do a great job of cleaning.

In some cases, your epoxy floor covering will have a topcoat that is sticky. With floor coatings like this, a dust mop will not do you any good. Instead, use a soft-bristled broom to sweep the floor. Adhesive layers require different care than standard epoxy floors.

2. Watch the Water

Outside of spot cleaning, you should only have to mop your epoxy floors every few months. Of course, this will depend on the wear-and-tear you put on your floors. If you have rust stains or other stubborn substances, then you will need to give your floors more attention.

In between mopping sessions, it may be necessary to spot clean your floors. In most cases, you can use some warm water and a soft cloth to clean up problem areas. If it is a larger spill, then use some warm water and a soft-bristle brush to take care of the mess.

So, what type of mop should you get to clean your garage floor? Steer clear of the old fashioned string mops. They are hard to wring out and can leave a residue on your floors. 

It’s better to choose one that is easy to wring out and doesn’t leave much water on the floor. There are a ton of great mop options out there. You will just need to find the one that best suits you’re likes and needs.

3. Careful With the Cleaners

When it’s time for a mopping or touch-up cleaning, you need to be careful with the products you use. Ammonia is your best friend here. Check with your installer to find out how much ammonia per gallon of hot water to use. 

This amount can vary from application to application. The differences can be due to specialty top coats, epoxy paints, and color flakes. Generally, you need about a half cup of ammonia per gallon of hot water. 

If there are more challenging stains, like rust or oil spills, then you do have some other options. For petroleum-based spills, you can try a product like Simple Green. It will usually do the trick, but remember to use a gentle brush with soft bristles.

When you are dealing with stubborn rust stains, then you can use a product like CLR. Apply it with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Give the stain a soft scrub, but do not leave the cleaner on the floor for more than a few minutes.

There is one big taboo when it comes to cleaning your epoxy flooring. Don’t use citrus cleaners or vinegar. This restriction is because both of those use acid to help clean surfaces. The acid will wear out your fabulous garage epoxy flooring. 

It is essential to avoid all cleaners and cleansers that contain any type of citrus-based ingredients. If you want to keep your epoxy floors looking shiny and new, avoid these choices.

Also, be sure you skip soap-based cleaners. This can be difficult since soap is the number-one type of cleaner on the market. The good news is that soap will not damage your epoxy-coated concrete floor. But it will make it look hazy and take away all that great shine. Soap build-up will make your floors look drab because it leaves a residue that robs them of their luster.

Any product you want to try on your floors needs a test run first. Find an inconspicuous spot where you can try the cleaner. With this method, you can make sure your floor will handle it before applying it all over.

4. Reseal If Necessary

After several years of use, your epoxy garage floor may need a fresh coat of sealant. Over time, the topcoat can wear down. If this happens, then your floor is prone to scratches, cracks, and dents. 

A new seal or topcoat will refresh the garage floor for you. With the right type of ongoing maintenance, the epoxy flooring will last many years. You can keep your bright, shiny floor looking great for a long time.

Hire the Experts For Your Project

When it comes to your garage floor, don’t take any shortcuts. When you stay on top of your sweeping and mopping, your epoxy floors will last for a long time. You will be able to enjoy a beautiful workspace that feels great. 

If you are ready to look into an epoxy garage floor for your home, reach out to the experts at Southern Illinois Ecoblast. Our friendly team is eager to be of service to make sure you get the perfect space.