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What Can I Use To Clean Epoxy Floors?

Epoxy floors are a durable floor coating that is found in a variety of settings, including garage floors, pathways, and warehouses. Epoxy floors are quite simple to clean if certain guidelines are followed and the correct cleaning products are chosen.

There are multiple ways you can clean epoxy floors such as using steam cleaners, simple green, ammonia-based solutions, steam mops, and degreasers. However, you need to ensure that you observe the correct procedure while using these items to get the best results.

Soap mop cleaning garage floor

Epoxy floors, like any other type of floor, can degrade over time if not cleaned properly. If you choose the wrong cleaning method or product, you can end up damaging the epoxy. Therefore, it is important for you to know which products to use and how to use them.

How to Clean Epoxy Floors Properly

Sweeping empty room floor

Epoxy flooring offers a high sheen effect that most owners like to maintain. If you use the correct cleaning technique, it becomes easy to maintain the quality of your epoxy floor for several years.

The proper method of cleaning epoxy floors involves using the correct epoxy floor cleaner to get rid of stains, oils, grease, and various chemicals that may accumulate on the surface of the floor. Moreover, choosing the correct epoxy floor cleaner with a neutral pH is necessary to get the best results.

Remove the Dirt and Debris from the Epoxy Floor

The first thing you should do before using a cleaning agent on the floor is to eliminate the dirt and debris that has accumulated on the epoxy floor. You can do this by sweeping the floor with a wet mop first.

You can also hand-clean extremely filthy areas with a soft bristle brush or a floor scrubber equipped with a green pad. This will get rid of any abrasive particles on the surface of the floor.

Choose the Correct Epoxy Floor Cleaner 

It is recommended that you use a cleaner such as the 1105 ArmorClean for general cleaning. You can also use neutral pH cleansers, disinfecting solvents, general-purpose cleaning agents, or non-butyl degreasers to make your epoxy floor look as good as new!

Avoid using abrasive cleaning chemicals such as steel wool as it will damage and dull the surface. Harsh cleaning agents or cleaning products containing citrus or acid should also be avoided. Citrus and vinegar cleansers are capable of damaging the epoxy flooring.

Moreover, soap-based cleansers can create a haze on an epoxy floor and diminish its look. To assess how well the soap-based cleaner will function, first test it in a small area using your cleaning approach. 

You can change the cleaning product or the method if it seems to be ineffective on the coating. Before committing to a regular cleaning schedule, you can also experiment with different dilution ratios by mixing the cleaning agent in water.

Clean the Floor using the Cleaning Agent

After you’ve selected a cleaning agent, pour 120 ml into a gallon of hot water and mix well. Now, take a foam mop and dip it into the solution you’ve just made.

Use the mop to clean the floor thoroughly multiple times. Make sure that you rub the foam over the stains enough times so that it vanishes completely. You can let the solution sit on the floor for a couple of minutes, but not too long.

Next, rinse the floor by using a bucket of warm, clean water. You need to get rid of the detergent so that it does not seep into the epoxy floor. After you’re done, you can use a clean towel to wipe the floor. 

Can You Use Bleach To Clean Epoxy Floor?

Top view of cleaning bottle

Bleach is a typical household cleaner and disinfectant that may be purchased separately or combined with other cleaning agents. Bleach is a common sanitizer that is applicable on most types of surfaces. However, should you use bleach to clean epoxy floors?

It is highly advised to not clean epoxy floors with harsh chemicals such as bleach. This is because bleach contains harmful chemicals that might damage the epoxy. Instead, you should use ammonia mixed with warm water to remove grimes and stains on the floor.

Some bleach products evaporate leaving behind a coating of harmful chemicals on the surface of the epoxy floor. If you have used bleach before, you might have noticed blemished spots on your floor. This happens because dissolved minerals in the bleach leave mineral residue as the bleach evaporates.

This residue can be very damaging to an epoxy floor if the bleach is applied regularly and the residue is allowed to accumulate over time. Therefore, it’s best to avoid products containing bleach and look for safer options such as vacuuming and using cleansers designed for epoxy floors. 

Can You Use Steam Clean to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Steam cleaning floor

Steam cleaners are commonly used on hard surfaces such as kitchen countertops and bathroom tiles. They can also be used on vinyl and laminate floors. However, the question is whether you can use a steam cleaner to clean epoxy floors or not. 

A steam cleaner can be used to efficiently clean epoxy floors. This is mainly because steam cleaners can soften up tough stains and grease, making them ideal for maintaining epoxy flooring. Moreover, steam cleaners also do not leave excessive moisture on the surface. 

How To Use a Steam Cleaner on Epoxy Floor

Making the transition from a normal mop to a steam cleaner is not that difficult. However, to get the best results you need to follow certain steps and take some necessary safety precautions to avoid injuries.

The first thing you should do is use a clean towel or cloth to wipe away the loose debris from the epoxy floor. When you’re done, attach a clean mop head to the steam cleaner.

Make sure that your steam cleaner has enough water in the tank before you turn it on. Next, select the ideal setting of the steam cleaner for your epoxy floor. Ideally, you should use the dry steam vapor option since it does not allow too much moisture to accumulate on the surface.

Start by working across the floor from one corner to the other. You can repeat the cleaning process as many times as you want to get a shinier surface. Finally, leave the epoxy floor to dry for a while before you step back inside.

Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Cleaning vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar is a common household item that people love using as a cleaner. This is because the high acidity levels of vinegar enable it to get rid of dirt and scum from various surfaces with ease. But can you use vinegar to clean epoxy flooring?

Unfortunately, it is not recommended to use vinegar as a cleaning product on epoxy floors. Vinegar can break down the chemical compound of epoxy floors, making them susceptible to wear and tear. Moreover, vinegar will also gradually remove the shine on the epoxy flooring after repeated use. 

Therefore, it’s best to avoid using vinegar to clean your epoxy floor. Fortunately, if you end up spilling vinegar on the floor, you can easily remove it using a microfibre cloth. Make sure not to leave behind any residue. 

However, if you have no other option but to use vinegar as a cleaning agent, make sure you dilute it in water first. Ideally, a half-cup of vinegar should be diluted with at least a gallon of water. Since epoxy flooring is resistant to water, you can easily clean stains from the surface using this solution. 

Can You Use Ammonia to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Spray bottle cleaning window

Ammonia is an inexpensive cleanser and is commonly used as a DIY household cleanser. But if it’s so common, then it can clean epoxy floors as well, right? 

Yes, Ammonia can clean epoxy floors quite effortlessly. It is a great cleaning solution that prevents any streaking on the floor and leaves a spotless and crystal clear result. Moreover, ammonia can easily get rid of stubborn grease stains from the epoxy floor as well.

How to Use Ammonia to Clean Epoxy Flooring

While cleaning epoxy floors with ammonia, it’s best to follow certain steps to ensure that you don’t leave behind any dirt and other greasy substances.

Step 1: The first thing you need to do is create your own cleaning solution using ammonia and water. This can be achieved by mixing half a cup of ammonia with a gallon of warm water. 

Step 2: Before using the solution, you need to wipe away any dirt or debris that is present on the surface. This is because you don’t want abrasive substances to damage the floor while cleaning. A good trick is to use a microfiber cloth dipped in water to scrub off the dirt. 

Step 3: Wipe the wet surface using a clean cloth. Then, take another clean cloth and dip it in the solution you just created. Use this cloth to wipe the epoxy floor to remove any blemishes and stains present on it.

Can You Use Simple Green to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Green cleaning bottles

You might have heard of Simple Green before. It’s an incredibly strong cleaner that is designed to be usable on all washable surfaces. Moreover, it is also very capable of removing tough stains. But is Simple Green cleaner safe to use on Epoxy floors? 

The good news is that, yes, you can use Simple Green to clean your epoxy floor. However, due to how potent its formula is, you need to make sure that you dilute it first. Otherwise, Simple Green will deplete the shine of the epoxy coating and leave a dull floor. You can dilute the solution by mixing half a cup of Simple Green with one gallon of warm water.

Steps To Clean Epoxy Floor Using Simple Green

While cleaning the epoxy floors with simple green, it’s best to follow a five-step approach to make sure you achieve the best result. 

Step 1: Start off by first sweeping the floor with a cloth to remove any debris on the surface of the floor. This will remove abrasive particles and won’t leave behind any scratches while you’re cleaning the floor.

Step 2: Once the floor is clean, apply the solution containing simple green and water to the surface of the floor. You can do this by putting the solution in a water spray and spraying the surface a good 3-4 times.

Step 3: Use a cloth to scrub the solution on the epoxy floor. Make sure that the solution is evenly spread throughout the surface. 

Step 4: Let the solution sit on the surface for a few minutes. This will ensure that the solution thoroughly seeps into the grime. Make sure to close all windows, doors, and entryways while the floor is drying. 

Step 5: Lastly, use a microfiber cloth and wipe the solution from the floor. Make sure that no residue remains on the surface after you’re done cleaning it. 

Can You Use Pressure Washer to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Pressure washer

A pressure washer can be an intimidating cleaning tool. It is employed by many people for different cleaning purposes, such as cleaning air conditioners, driveways, and windows. However, the question stands, whether they can be used to clean epoxy floors? 

The answer is yes, you can use a pressure washer to clean your epoxy floor as long as you set the correct PSI setting for the washer. A PSI of more than 3000 is mostly sufficient to get the job done. However, pressure washing is not always necessary with epoxy floors, as you can, instead, use simpler measures to clean hard stains. 

The good news about using a pressure washer is that it gets the job done with you only having to use the minimum amount of effort. All you have to do is turn the washer on, spray the entire floor, and use a clean cloth to rub all the dirt and debris off it. 

However, you need to make sure that you’re using the correct PSI setting for the pressure washer. A PSI of greater than 3000 will provide a better result than using simple water and a mob.

Can You Use Swiffer to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Sweeping mop floor

Swiffers are commonly used to clean floors and windows. They are found in nearly every household these days. Although they’re very effective on glass and hardwood floors, would they be as efficient on an epoxy floor?

Swiffers are great at getting rid of minor dirt and debris from the epoxy floor, however, they are not very effective at removing tough stains. If you’re using a Swiffer, you will require extra effort to clean hard-to-remove stains from the floor.

If you have an epoxy floor, a Swiffer will not prove to be sufficient if you keep the floor clean. You’ll have to mop your floor regularly using this tool to keep it clean. 

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on June 13, 2022.

Can You Use a Steam Mop to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Steam mop

Why use a regular mop when there is its better counterpart: a steam mop. Steam mops are becoming an increasingly common sanitizing tool. But for cleaning epoxy floors, do they fare any better than regular mops?

Not only can steam mops be used to clean hard to remove stains from epoxy floors but they also leave behind a gleaming epoxy surface once used. Steam mops are also easier to use as they require less physical effort than a regular mop and are rather more efficient..

Regular vs. Steam Mop for Cleaning Epoxy Floors

Regular MopsSteam Mops
Require more scrubbingRequires less scrubbing effort
Better for quick spillsUsed for deep sanitization
May require toxic substancesDoes not require any chemicals
Inexpensive optionCostlier than regular mops

Steam mops fare a lot better than regular mops when it comes to cleaning epoxy surfaces. Despite being a costlier option, steam mops are environmentally friendly and are less likely to damage your epoxy flooring.

Can You Use Pine-Sol to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Wiping floor

A quick solution to spills and grease marks is Pine-Sol. It can be used on many surfaces such as toilets and kitchen countertops, but are they effective on epoxy floors?

Pine-Sol can clean epoxy floors if you mix it in a bucket of slightly warm water. It can get rid of small stains, dirt, and debris effectively. However, to ensure a spotless epoxy floor you need to make sure to follow the proper cleaning procedure.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 13, 2022.

To thoroughly clean your epoxy floors, the first thing that you should do is fill a bucket with slightly warm water. Next, take ¼ cup of Pine-sol and add it to the water. 

Take a mop and dip it in the solution you’ve just created. You can do small spot tests first to ensure that the solution is effective. If it’s not, increase the concentration of the Pine-sol.

Thoroughly scrub the stains on the epoxy floor using the mop. After you’re done, wait for a few minutes before using clean water to wipe the solution away, and voila! You’ll have a perfectly shiny epoxy surface.

Can You Use a Degreaser to Clean Epoxy Floor?

Degreaser

Degreaser is one of the first choices for getting rid of harsh chemical stains caused by wax, tar, oil, and other substances. It has extensive uses and applies to nearly many surfaces. But is an epoxy floor one of them?

Yes, a degreaser will work perfectly well on an epoxy floor. Paired with a clean towel, a degreaser will leave your floor sparkling clean. This is because most degreasers contain citric acid that helps break down stubborn stains and grease spots coding your shiny flooring. 

Apply small amounts of the degreaser on a clean towel. Wherever you find grease stains, just clean them away using the towel. Just be careful not to scrape the floor too vigorously or you could accidentally dull some of the epoxy’s shiny gloss.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 13, 2022.

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