3 Tips for Cleaning Epoxy Flooring

If you've just had your concrete flooring epoxied by our team here at Resilient Concrete Coatings in Katy, Texas, you're likely admiring the stunning transformation. That plain concrete surface now gleams with a polished, glossy finish, giving the entire space a brighter, more inviting feel. You'll want to maintain its sheen, which means keeping up with proper care. In this blog, we'll share simple tips on how to clean epoxy floors to keep them shining for years to come.

Sweep Away Dirt Before It Scratches

Picture walking into your garage and seeing a dull haze on your once-shiny epoxy floor coating. That's what happens when dirt and debris are left unchecked. Epoxy floors are undoubtedly strong, but tiny particles of dirt act like sandpaper on them, wearing down the surface slowly day by day. To avoid this, make regular sweepings with a soft-bristle broom or microfiber mop part of your maintenance routine. While high-traffic areas benefit from a quick sweep daily, less-used spaces can make do with a twice-weekly thorough sweep.

Forgo the Harsh Chemicals

When your epoxy floor starts to lose its luster or you notice footprint trails, it's time for a good mop. However, don't grab just any cleaner from the shelf. Epoxy doesn't need harsh chemicals, so you can forgo the ammonia or bleach. We also recommend steering clear of abrasive cleaners or cleaners that contain wax (they leave a slippery residue). The green light cleaners, in this case, are pH-neutral floor cleaners.

A simple bucket of warm water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap will work wonders. When you mop epoxy floors, use a sponge or microfiber mop to avoid scratching the surface. Work in small sections. Insider tip: Think of your mop as a paintbrush—each stroke picks up dirt. Rinse it every few swipes to avoid spreading grime back onto your epoxy floor, and refresh your water and cleaner once the mop water turns murky.

Stay Ahead of Stains with Quick Action

Imagine working on a project, and some oil drips onto your beautiful epoxy floor. Don't panic—epoxy resists stains wonderfully, but quick action is your saving grace for the situation. Blot the spill immediately with a clean rag or paper towel (don't rub, as it might spread). For tougher spots, like dried-on grease, mix a bit of mild cleaner with warm water and gently spot scrub with a soft-bristle brush. Along with quick action in these cases, prevention also plays a role—consider using mats or drop cloths in high-risk areas to keep those accidental drips off your floor entirely for the future.

Solving Specific Cleaning Challenges for Epoxy Floors

Rust's Unsightly Orange Spots

You'll often find epoxy floors in workspaces, and due to this, rust from metal tools left on the floor will leave unsightly orange stains. You can thank humidity for this, but don't worry—it's fixable! Mix a solution of equal parts lactic acid-based cleaner (like CLR) and water. Apply it directly to the rust spot, but don't let it sit for more than two minutes (since it's slightly acidic if it sits for too long, it can damage the epoxy). Use a soft-bristle scrub brush to work the solution into the stain, then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Tire's Black-Streaked Blemishes

Another specific issue that epoxy floors often encounter is tire marks. Since epoxy flooring is in many garages, it's common to see black-streaked blemishes from rubber tires' oils and heat. These marks are entirely cleanable, too! Saturate the area with a concrete degreaser and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Scrub firmly with a stiff nylon brush, repeating as necessary until the marks disappear. Rinse and dry the area to reveal your pristine epoxy floor once again.

Winter's Chalky Salt Streaks

During the winter, tracking in salt can leave white, chalky streaks on your epoxy floor. To remove salt residue, mix warm water with a pH-neutral floor cleaner and use a microfiber mop to clean the affected areas. You can use a lactic acid-based cleaner sparingly for stubborn salt films—follow the rust removal instructions with this, and don't let it sit for long. Consider adding absorbent mats near entryways to help catch salt before it reaches your floor.

Resilient Concrete Coatings Transforms Concrete Flooring

Protecting your floors starts with an epoxy coating! If you haven't had your concrete floors epoxied yet, now is the time. Here at Resilient Concrete Coatings, we are the number one epoxy flooring contractor near Katy, TX, and we transform concrete floors across Katy, Brookshire, Cypress, Fulshear, Hempstead, Hockley, Houston, Pattison, Richmond, Rosenberg, Sealy, and Waller, TX. Contact us today to learn more, and let's get started!