How to clean epoxy floor coating
After you have your new epoxy garage floor done, you may become a fanatic about keeping it clean! That’s actually a good thing. The cleaner you keep the floor, the longer the lifespan of the topcoat.
Why cleaning your epoxy floor the right way matters
For most of us, the whole reason we paid for a good epoxy floor was to make life easier, not harder. You want a garage that looks sharp, cleans up fast, and doesn’t get ruined by a spill or two. So what’s the best way to actually clean your new coating, and what should you absolutely avoid?
How to keep your epoxy floor looking great
The best place to start is sweeping regularly. It sounds simple, but getting rid of loose dirt and sand keeps it from grinding into the surface. Once you’ve swept, the next step is washing it down. Most people pull out the mop. That’s totally fine, but if your floor has grit or texture added for traction, a cloth mop is going to snag and drive you crazy. That’s when you’ll want a bucket of soapy water and a deck brush. A foam squeegee is a great follow-up to direct the water towards the drain or out the door.
We use a traditional mop (I like the O Cedar spin mop at home) for smooth surfaces. If you ever feel ambitious, there are floor scrubbers out there that do an amazing job—they scrub, use clean soapy water, and pick up the dirty water all in one go. But honestly, they’re expensive and most homeowners won’t make the investment. Good old-fashioned mopping or a deck brush get the job done.
Mops we recommend
If you’re interested in a floor scrubber, the i-mop is what I recommend for residential customers. It’s a little pricey, but it does a fantastic job. It is well suited for open areas as well as small, tight spaces.
If you’re looking for a more economical option, I’d recommend the Kaivac mop. It requires a little more manpower, but it is a fraction of the price! The cleaning concept is still the same. Dispense the soapy water on the floor, scrub with the brush, then remove the dirty water with the vacuum.
What about cleaners?
The biggest mistake I see is using an enzyme-based cleaners. I can’t say this often enough: enzyme cleaners will eat away at your epoxy over time! Some antibacterial cleaners can leave the floor with a streaky appearance. It doesn’t ruin the floor, but it doesn’t look great. Stick with gentle, streak-free cleaners that don’t leave a residue.
For everyday cleaning, I usually recommend Poly Care. It’s gentle, dries without streaks, and doesn’t leave a film. If you’re dealing with a stubborn spill (oil, grease, or something sticky) Dawn dish soap, Simple Green, or Mean Green are all safe choices. Just keep it simple, and don’t overthink it.
For those using commercial grade cleaners (think food or medical industry) it is always best to mention the cleaning regimen prior to getting the floor coated. There are topcoats that can handle these highly concentrated cleaners, and you want to be sure to get the right one for long term compatibility.
One more thing. Never wax your epoxy floor! If it starts to look dull after years of use, that means you’re ready for a fresh topcoat, not a waxing session.
What about tough stains, salt, or spills?
First off, epoxy floors finished with a urethane top coat are built to withstand a lot. They’ll take oil, salt from winter, even spilled gasoline without missing a beat. But colored sodas, mustard, or other foods can leave stains if you forget to wipe them up. No need to panic and jump to clean the second something hits the floor, but don’t let it sit for days or you might end up with some staining.
Pressure washing is fine if you go gently. Use a fan or turbo tip and keep your nozzle a safe distance away (at least six inches).
Should you use a Brillo pad to scrub at tough residue? The answer is no! An abrasive pad will scratch the surface of the coating and speed up the need for a recoat.
One question I always get: are epoxy floors hard to maintain?
Absolutely not! The smooth versions are especially easy to keep clean, which is the biggest reason people love them. There’s no place for dirt to hide, so a quick sweep and mop is usually all it takes. Textured floors need a little more elbow grease with a brush, but overall they’re still low-fuss. Skip the wax. If things start looking dull after a number of years, just get a quick recoat and your shine is back.
Why our system is different
One thing I love to point out: our floors can be recoated and refreshed down the road. Some of the fast, “one day” garage floors don’t stick as well, and if you ever want a change, you have to pay to remove the whole thing before starting over. With ours, we’ll just prep the surface and put on a new layer.
If you ever get stuck or something isn’t cleaning up as you expect, you’re always welcome to reach out. We keep a few trusted cleaners on hand and can point you to the right one. Whether it’s Poly Care for the everyday or something heavier duty after a car project.
If I can leave you with just one tip, it’s this: clean your floor regularly, especially when it’s dirty. It’s the best, low cost way to extend the life of the floor!
In closing
Skip the enzyme cleaners, save yourself the trouble of waxing, and treat your floor to a gentle clean on a regular basis. It’s what I do for my own garage and what I tell my customers.