​Cleaning Garage Floor Epoxy

The garage floor epoxy has been installed. So you’re done, right?

Wrong. If you’re a homeowner who found Floorguard products and decided you would handle your garage floor sealant, you will need to know the best way to clean your new flooring. You’ve put all of that work, so you’re sure to want to keep it looking as nice as possible.

Conversely, if you’re a professional installer, you’re going to want to let people know the best ways to take care of their new garage floor coating. After all, you want them to know how to best take care of their new floor because you want them to recommend you to their friends and neighbors. Just leaving them with the garage floor without proper instruction on how to take care of it could lead to degradation sooner than expected. And that could mean more calls if you’ve given them a warranty.

Don’t Let Spills Sit

One of the best parts about epoxy garage floor coatings is that they can handle spills very well, whether it’s oil, bug killer, anti-freeze, gasoline, or, most commonly, beer (we know what lots of people do in their garages!) But as well as the coatings hold up, they are more likely to stain the longer something stays on it. Clean those up as quickly as possible.

Sweeping

It’s a good idea to keep epoxy concrete paint swept up. While leaving most dust and dirt on it won’t harm it, there’s always the chance that sand or a forgotten bottle cap twisted underfoot could cause scratches that a homeowner would rather not have. A weekly sweeping with a dust mop will keep that floor looking great. If the floor has a particularly pronounced anti-slip surface, a soft mop might get caught in the non-slip grip; in this case a soft-bristled broom will work well.

When It Gets Dirty

There will certainly be times when an epoxy garage floor gets dirty beyond what a simple broom or mop can handle. There might be tire marks, muddy footprints, and anything else that the vehicle has brought in and dropped off (including road de-icers).

When it comes to washing your garage floor, there will always be some variances between the products and how they react with certain chemicals. You should always follow any instructions given by the manufacturer when it comes to cleaning the finished product. But in general, it’s a good idea to avoid products with soap in them, as they tend to leave streaks. You also shouldn’t use products that have acid in them, as they can dull the shine on the top coat; avoid citrus-based cleaners or vinegar. Oh, and you should obviously avoid cleaners that have abrasives in them, such as Comet.

What should you use? Unless the product instructions say otherwise, cleaning products such as diluted ammonia or name brands like Simple Green seem to be the most commonly-used and effective cleaners. It’s always a good idea to spot-treat an out of the way area first to make sure that your gloss will not be reduced by a specific cleaner.

What About Tough Spots?

For tough spots that don’t come up with a long-handled scrubbing, you might have to get down closer and use some elbow grease. Using a nylon brush and a bit higher concentration of your cleaning solution, give it a good scrub and then wash it off with water. Always be aware that you’re not scrubbing so hard as to reduce the sheen on your floor.

Once an epoxy garage floor has cured, it’s important to keep it looking as nice as possible. The above tips should give you, or your customer, a pretty good start on keeping it looking nice for years to come.