Epoxy floors provide beauty, durability and low maintenance for commercial properties such as warehouses and garages. Proper care of epoxy floors reduces build-up and stains, as well as the need for major damage repairs.
Oil, chemical spills and abrasive materials like paint or household cleaners should be wiped up immediately to avoid damage. Using pH-neutral cleaning products and hard foam mops helps protect the environment as well as your floor coatings.
Scrubbing
The smooth surface of an epoxy floor makes it easy to wipe clean and stain-free. This is a huge advantage over carpeted areas, where dirt and grime gets trapped between fibers, requiring regular vacuuming or shampooing to remove buildup. Epoxy floors are also non-porous and won’t allow spills to penetrate, which reduces the chances of permanent damage to the underlying material. However, this doesn’t mean that the flooring is indestructible and will not need regular cleaning.
Using the right cleaner for the job is important to keep your epoxy flooring looking its best and preventing damage to the underlying material. You can choose from a wide range of commercial-grade cleansers or DIY solutions that are less harmful to the environment. Choosing the right product can make all the difference in keeping your floors looking bright and beautiful for a long time.
Sweep or dust mop the floor regularly to keep sand, grit and other debris under control, so long as the hardener transforms the liquid resin into a solid material. This is especially important in high traffic areas or where heavy equipment may be moved across the floors. Protect the floor with mats at workstations, under heavy equipment and at entry doors to reduce abrasions. Avoid cleaners with citrus, acidic or vinegar solutions, which can dull the epoxy shine.
Promptly wipe up oil, antifreeze, household cleaners and other chemicals as soon as they happen to avoid staining the floor. Use paper towels or rags to get the majority of the liquid, then wash the remaining residue with a degreaser. This is also a good opportunity to practice the safety procedures you will use for containing and disposing of chemical spills in your facility.
A frequent and thorough scrubbing with a kitchen scrubbing sponge or soft deck brush is essential for maintaining the integrity of your epoxy floors, especially in service areas that see lots of moisture and foot traffic. These include janitor closets in schools or hospitals, where stains can easily occur on the edges of the closet and in corners. These can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and other pathogens. Scrubbing these areas regularly with a mild detergent solution helps maintain a sanitary environment for your facility.
Vacuuming
Epoxy floors are a popular choice for commercial and residential garages, industrial locations, and other spaces that need high-performance flooring. Their durability and lustrous shine are just two reasons why epoxy floors have become such a favorite, but they also offer easy cleaning and maintenance. Keeping your epoxy floor clean will prolong its lifespan and help it retain its luster and appeal.
Regular sweeping keeps grit and dust particles under control, which can scratch and etch the surface. Sweep or use a dust mop daily in heavy traffic areas and weekly in less trafficked zones. Sweeping is especially important before moving large equipment across the floor to prevent any grit from becoming trapped beneath the wheels and causing damage.
Spills and other liquids that can damage an epoxy surface should be cleaned up immediately. Abrasive chemicals, such as antifreeze, oil and gasoline can be damaging to the floor if they are allowed to sit on the surface for an extended period of time. These spills should be wiped up with shop towels or paper towel and disposed of properly. Other abrasive liquids, such as paint, household cleaners and household chemicals should also be wiped up immediately to avoid chemical damage to the epoxy.
A mild detergent solution is the best cleaner for epoxy floors. However, it is essential that you choose a non-ammonia-based soap to avoid a film being left behind after rinsing. Avoid citrus-based cleaners and corrosive chemical degreasers, which can cause permanent damage to the epoxy.
It is also a good idea to have a cleaning schedule for your epoxy floor, which includes sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. A professional can recommend the best products and methods for your specific needs, as well as the frequency of each cleaning. Investing in a high-quality mop and cleaning supplies will ensure your epoxy floor is cleaned thoroughly. A microfiber mop is ideal for epoxy surfaces and can be dipped in water and cleaning solution without a residue being left behind. Rinsing the mop frequently will also keep it from redistributing dirt throughout the floor.
Cleaning Sponges
A clean epoxy floor will last longer when you make an effort to keep it looking its best. Start by sweeping daily to remove dirt, sand, and other loose debris from the surface. Sweeping will also help prevent dust and grit from scratching the coating. You can use a sweeper attachment for your vacuum cleaner, or simply turn it on and vaccuum the entire area. This step is especially important if you weld or work on vehicles in your garage. If you can, place a walk-off mat at the entrance to collect sand and dirt from tires and boots before it lands on your floors. This will prevent scratches and scuffs on the flooring as well as make cleaning your floor less frequently. You can also add soft pads under the wheels of any heavy equipment or tools to protect your floor and ensure that abrasive materials are not transferred to the epoxy. Finally, wipe up any oils, anti-freeze, and other chemicals spills as soon as they occur to avoid them sitting on your floors for long.
If your floor gets excessively dirty, it’s time to perform a deeper cleaning. Mix an approved non-enzymatic soap with hot water in a bucket and use it to wash the entire area of your floor. A microfiber mop is a good choice for this task, as it’s gentle on your epoxy flooring and highly absorbent. Dip the mop into the cleaning solution and wring out excess water before working it into your floor. Follow a systematic approach, such as working in overlapping sections, when mopping your floors to ensure that every inch is cleaned evenly.
It’s also a good idea to store any cleaning solutions in a separate cabinet so they are out of reach of your children and pets. This will also prevent them from being accidentally used on furniture or other items that could get damaged by an abrasive chemical. You should also avoid sliding, dropping, or dropping anything on the epoxy floors as this can create gouges or scratches that can let moisture underneath the floor coating and damage the underlying layer.
Cleaning Solutions
Epoxy floors can be easily maintained with the proper cleaning solutions. Regular sweeping, and mopping with a mild detergent solution once a week or more, will prevent the build-up of grit, which dulls the shine of the epoxy coating. It is also important to promptly clean up spills as they occur, to minimize staining and damage to the floor surface. Keeping these simple steps in mind will help prolong the life of your flooring system and keep it looking its best.
A non-abrasive household cleaner like vinegar mixed with warm water makes a great cleaning solution for your epoxy floors. It is best to avoid any corrosive chemicals, as these can harm the epoxy coating over time. A kitchen scrubbing sponge or soft deck brush can be used to remove any stubborn stains.
Using a wet mop with warm water and a neutralizing cleaner once per month is another great way to maintain your epoxy flooring system. This process will also prevent the build-up of grit and grime, which can cause unsightly scratches.
There are some cleaning products that should never be used on an epoxy floor, including soap based cleaners and citrus cleaners. These cleaners can harm the epoxy coating over time, resulting in pitting of the floor surface and areas that are hard to clean.
It is not uncommon for a floor to show some wear and tear over the course of a commercial, industrial or garage floor’s lifespan. Scratches, gouges and dents can often be repaired with an epoxy patching compound or putty knife. Other ways to reduce the likelihood of damage to your epoxy floor are to use mats or plywood under heavy equipment, to stow tools securely when not in use, and to spread out the weight of machinery or vehicles over a larger area rather than placing concentrated pressure on a smaller area.
These simple prevention and maintenance strategies can make the difference between a smooth, shiny floor that looks brand new and a dull, scratched floor that shows years of use. The more care you put into your epoxy floor, the better it will look over the long term!
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