BEFORE — it doesn’t take long after a week of rainy weather or local road construction (not to mention winter road grime) for a garage floor to look like this.
The best way to make sure epoxy floor cleanup us quick and easy is keeping up with the dirt. Sweep and vacuum your Madison WI garage on a regular basis. Get all the loose dirt, debris and road grit off the floor as soon as you can.
Epoxy floors are popular because they require little maintenance. However, that doesn’t mean “no maintenance.” Common sense is the No. 1 guide.
Removing dirt and grit is important because it can be ground into the surface and scratch epoxy finishes. Invest in a good shop vac with soft brushes – you’ll find plenty of uses for it.
Epoxy Floor Cleanup Suggestions
Timing is important. Regular spot cleaning is more efficient than trying to catch up when a lot of debris and dirt has been tracked in. Your vacuum plus a broom, a good mop or deck-scrubbing brush is all you need. Highly water-resistant epoxy surfaces are easy to clean after simple spills or rain water dripping off a vehicle.
Before you begin a cleanup, consider:
- Avoid harsh cleaning solutions – don’t use any soap-based floor cleaners. They leave a haze on the epoxy coating. These high-tech floors don’t need soap. Use warm water and your mop or brush. Never use citrus cleaners or vinegar. These solutions contain acid that will degrade the surface.
- Dealing with stains – stains like rust require light scrubbing with a non-marking kitchen scrubbing sponge and warm water. Never use steel wool or abrasive cleansers.
- Oil and chemicals – most garages are where the household chemicals and vehicle maintenance fluids reside. Be sure to wipe up antifreeze, oil and all car-related spills as soon as they happen. Engine oil additives will break down the epoxy coating. Spill has must be attended to immediately it is a threat to the floor surface in more ways than one.
Selecting Epoxy Floor Cleaning Solutions
AFTER— apply a mop, some warm water and little muscle and the dirt and grime is washed away from the high-quality epoxy finish on this garage floor.
The best household cleanup solution for an epoxy garage floor is an old-fashioned mixture of 1/2-cup ammonia to 1 gallon of hot water. Mix it in a sturdy bucket. Apply it with a foam or microfiber mop. Remember to rinse the mop frequently so you’re cleaning, not just moving dirty water around. This basic solution works well for simple dirt and grime. In addition, it works well with winter’s salt film and residue. For most jobs, this is the only cleaning aid you’ll need.
There are two commercial products not usually associated with floor cleaning that work well, too:
- Windex – known as a window cleaner, it provides excellent spot cleaning power. Mix 1 part Windex to 3 parts water. The chemicals in the window cleaner don’t leave a film on the epoxy coating and will cut through a lot of oily residue.
- Simple Green – also best known for cleaning surfaces other than floors it works well on more stubborn dirt. It cuts through grease and grime. Use 1 part Simple Green to 8 parts water. A deck brush helps with scrubbing stains. You can mix a stronger solution but it can leave a film on the floor.
In both cases, always use a second bucket of clean water to rinse the floor as you go.
You can allow the floor to air dry – either with natural ventilation or using fans. Or you can wide down the spots with a lint-free cloth.
Easy Epoxy Floor Cleanup Begins With The Right Floor
Imagine a floor finish that transforms your drab concrete garage into a dynamic, colorful space.
An epoxy floor provides a smooth, level surface. Done right, it is easy to keep clean with a mop and broom. Garage Flooring Solutions is a professional epoxy coatings company serving Madison and the surrounding area with a broad selection of coatings for all concrete surfaces.
To put the experience and skill of the Garage Flooring Solutions team to work in your home, call 608-630-8855. We’ll help you select the best finish to insure your epoxy floor cleanup is always quick and easy anywhere in Madison WI.
