Just because you have a garage does not mean it needs to look like a garage. 

Gone are the days of dad’s garage with greasy tools and dirt floors. You can basically have an extra living space with a garage if you know how to treat the floors and walls correctly. 

As far as the floor goes, nothing makes a garage look better than a smooth, finished, epoxy floor. Epoxy basically provides a shell to protect your concrete floor.

If you do spend the money and invest in an epoxy floor, you need to also understand how to maintain and clean it. Let’s learn more about how to make the most of your epoxy floor investment. 

What Makes an Epoxy Floor Special? 

Epoxy will cover and protect the concrete under it. It creates a beautiful smooth finish that protects your surface from oil spills, moisture, and stains.

It also does not create the dust that a typical concrete floor generates. In short, it is truly the best floor for a garage.  

Maintaining and Keeping it Clean

Epoxy floors are durable and beautiful. They also need regular maintenance to stay durable and beautiful.  Knowing how to care for your floor will help you extend its lifetime and help you make the most of your investment. 

1. Clean it Regularly

Epoxy floor maintenance requires regular cleaning. Plan on sweeping or dust mopping it daily.

If your floor is prone to having mud on it, or if you’re in a muddy season, then mop it daily as well. 

You can also use a shop vacuum with a soft brush as well to keep the floor clean. 

Keeping it clean will help maintain it. Epoxy is a durable surface, but you can still scratch it if you do not maintain it. Dirt and grit can actually embed itself into the floor, which leads to scratches. Regular sweeping and dust mopping lifts the dirt and prevents these scratches. 

2. Use the Right Cleaners

Knowing which cleaners work can help you maintain your epoxy floor. Basic cleaners, like ammonia, will keep your floor looking like new.

Avoid using acid or soap-based cleaners. These cleaners can actually leave a residue that makes the floor slippery and thus dangerous when it is wet. Plus, an acid-based cleaner can actually strip the shine off your floor. 

Instead of cleaning your floor, you will end up damaging it. 

3. Deep Clean with Purpose

Every once in a while, you should give your epoxy floor, along with the room that it’s in, a good, deep cleaning.

Once a month, hose it down. Move everything out of the room and then mop the floor from corner to corner. Searching in every corner of the room will ensure that you’re maintaining the quality of the entire floor. 

A deep clean start with a broom and ends with a squeegee. Sweep the debris first to pick up any loose, dry dust or mud clumps. Then use a hard foam mop, hot water, and clear ammonia. 

You can finish the room off with a squeegee to make sure you pick up every drop of water and have no water stains. Ammonia works effectively to not just maintain the shine, but it also removes spills and stains.

While ammonia is effective, its fumes can cause some health problems.

If you want to stay away from harsh chemicals, you can always hose down the surface and then squeegee it dry.

Many people choose epoxy floors for the simplicity of maintenance, knowing they can use good old fashioned water and a squeegee to clean them. 

4. Protect It

Stay away from industrial cleaners and wax for your epoxy floor. You can protect it by cleaning it correctly but also by laying down surface protectors. 

If you live in an area prone to mud or snow, keep mats at your doors to catch these unwanted intruders. Have a boot tray by the door where people can put their wet or muddy boots.

If your room has heavy equipment in it, move it with caution on your epoxy floor. It can wear the floor down when you drag it and place it in the same spot continuously.

Whenever you need to move a piece of heavy equipment, first make sure your floor is clean. Then lay down plywood under a rolling jack that moves your equipment. This will help protect your floor from chips and scrapes.

If your epoxy floor has vehicles on it, you might want to consider getting a car mat. Some people will purchase an inexpensive rubber or recycled plastic mat for their vehicle. They just drive the car right onto the mat. 

This way if the car leaks any fluid or oil, the liquid goes on the mat rather than the floor. Your floor is not stained, and you can easily wipe up the fluid. 

The mat would also catch environmental moisture like snow or mud from the vehicle. 

5. Inspect Regularly

Take a survey of your floor regularly. Go on a tour of your room. Epoxy is a durable material, but it is not indestructible. You can still chip an epoxy floor. 

The monthly deep cleaning gives you ample opportunity to take a tour of the room and check out the floor. If you notice any chips or cracks, contact the company that installed your floor to see what their damage repair service options are. 

Keep it Clean, Keep it Nice

An epoxy floor can be the best feature of an industrial room. If you keep it clean, you will keep it nice, and you will extend its life as well as your enjoyment of the room. 

For all of your epoxy floor needs, contact us.