The Proper Maintenance and Cleaning Methods for Epoxy Floors

Maintaining an epoxy floor is not difficult. After you have a new epoxy floor installed, it will be your responsibility to maintain it properly for the longest life possible. Cleaning and maintaining epoxy floors is a simple matter, and that is another reason people choose epoxy floors. Epoxy floors do not require waxing and constant scrubbing. Since epoxy floors are naturally resistant to dust, dirt, and fluids, they do not need strong cleaners and are relatively simple to clean.

Mopping Epoxy Floors

For everyday cleaning of epoxy floors, simple dust mopping is all that is required. Using a dust mop once a week is the best way to clean epoxy floors and remove accumulated dust and dirt. If appropriate for the space, you can take a hose to wash down the entire floor and then use a squeegee to remove all the water and moisture.

Then, every three or four months, a more thorough cleaning might be required. When your floor has had heavy traffic by vehicles or machinery, more thorough cleaning might be needed. You can use a hard foam mop rather than a string mop that can leave streaks. Floors that are subject to outdoor weather conditions such as rain, sleet, or snow entering will need to be cleaned once a month. It is important to remove any moisture from the floor promptly as it occurs.

When spills or leaks occur, it is important to remove them promptly so the epoxy floor is not damaged. Vehicle fluids, oil, gasoline, and other chemicals should not be left on any type of flooring.

Cleaning Products

The recommended cleaning products to use to maintain epoxy floors include an 8:1 ratio of simple green in a spray bottle mixed with hot water. Another good option is one-half cup of ammonia to a gallon of hot water. After the application of these cleaners to the epoxy floor, you can let the floor air dry or use clean towels to speed the drying process. Once the floor is clean and dry, close all windows, doors, and other entryways to prevent outside elements from entering and soiling the clean floor.

Epoxy floors can be kept clean with the simple green solution or the ammonia solution, but extra care will be needed to keep the professional gloss coating when staining happens. For stubborn stains, use a still nylon brush with a stronger simple green solution. Be careful not to apply too much pressure and damage the gloss coating.

When an epoxy floor has stubborn salt films or rust stains, use a 1:1 ratio of CLR brand cleaner with warm water to remove the stains. You will need to use a scrub pad or brush to clean the surface, then douse with cold water. Do not let that solution sit for very long or it might cause damage. After a minute or two, the stains should be gone and the chemicals can be rinsed off and the floor dried.

There are some products that may leave a deglossing effect on an epoxy floor. They can usually be removed by applying hot water and a deck brush. Most of the cleaning products required for epoxy floor maintenance can be purchased at the local hardware store. This makes it easy to acquire cleaning products and maintain your new epoxy floor.

When you hire Swift Epoxy Flooring in Vancouver, BC for your epoxy flooring installation, we will give you more helpful cleaning and maintenance instructions.

Cleaning Products and Chemicals To Avoid

There are certain cleaning products that should not be used on epoxy floors. Stay away from products that use citrus cleaners or vinegar as they may cause flooring gloss damage. These kinds of cleaners have acids that will slowly degloss your epoxy floor finish. Also, avoid cleaners with a soap base because they will cause streaking and a dull build-up on your floors. This build-up will cause the floor to become more slippery when wet causing a safety hazard. This is the reason we recommend sticking to safe cleaners such as simple green and ammonia mixed with water.

Keep in mind that an epoxy floor is extremely durable and long-lasting but it is not indestructible. These floors can be damaged and accidents can happen. Luckily, most stains can be removed with the right methods, products, and elbow grease. Damage such as gouges and scrapes can be repaired if treated promptly.

Maintaining epoxy floors in garages, breweries, labs, medical facilities, and commercial buildings is a simple process. By sticking to the recommended maintenance and cleaning procedures such as dust mopping and mopping with the recommended cleaners, a property owner can keep their epoxy floors looking like new for years to come.

Please contact Swift Epoxy Flooring Vancouver for additional information about epoxy floors and their feasibility in your setting.