Maintenance Tips for Garage Epoxy Flooring

A garage floor with a coat of epoxy has a long-lasting, professional shine. Applying latex acrylic paint to a concrete floor creates a covering susceptible to scuffs and stains. In contrast, epoxy chemically bonds to the concrete to create a durable protective coating. With proper care, garage epoxy flooring will last for years. Common sense is the primary guide for maintaining an epoxy floor, but here are a few best practices to help.

Place Mats and Rugs Strategically

The one drawback to epoxy’s water resistance is that it is slippery when wet. Place a welcome mat or entrance rug at every entrance to avoid slips and falls. A highly absorbent welcome mat minimizes tracked in snow and water. Look for a mat long enough to dry shoes and feet before stepping onto the floor. Mousepads or small pieces of carpeting prevent bike and motorcycle kickstands from damaging the floor. This also works well for equipment with small feet that might dig into your garage epoxy flooring.

Remove Dirt and Sand Regularly

Daily (or weekly for residential floors) sweeping with a soft bristle broom or commercial dust mop will keep dirt and grime from slowly embedding into the epoxy coating. A good sweep or vacuum is crucial before moving heavy equipment because the weight can potentially grind dirt particles into the flooring.

Remove Oil and Chemical Spills Immediately

Engine oil, paint, and antifreeze are among the few substances that can destroy garage epoxy flooring. Oils and acids activate the epoxy catalyst, so they need to be removed as soon as possible. Wipe up these spills immediately with a paper towel.

Spot Clean with Water

Vacuum up liquid spills with a shop vac, then remove any remaining residue with a moist sponge or mop. Avoid soap-based and acid-based products because they leave a film that builds up over time. (The accumulated film can also make the floor slippery.) Warm water is sufficient for most spills and footprints. For tougher stains, use a soft kitchen scrubber and ammonia/water mix.

Mop with Ammonia and Water

Keep your floor shining, by mopping with a mix of ammonia and water. For maintenance cleaning, add 5 ounces of ammonia to a gallon of water. Mopping frequency changes depending on use. An industrial floor may need to daily mopping, but a residential garage will stay clear and glossy with 2-3 mops a year. Mopping with ammonia and water will also remove any soap build-up left by previous cleanings.

Garage epoxy flooring is low maintenance. As long as you clean up spills, sweep regularly, and mop as needed, your epoxy floor will maintain its high-gloss professional look for years.