With the right cleaning products and tools, epoxy floor maintenance is a breeze. While you may be tempted to use a strong chemical product to eliminate the toughest stains and streaks, that will probably do more harm than good. Harsh chemicals can deteriorate the product and affect durability and performance. 

The key is choosing a safe cleaner that will not strip away the surface layer but will still cut the grime. No matter which cleaner you choose, never leave it sitting longer than a few minutes. Let’s discuss the best products for cleaning epoxy floors and those you should avoid.

The Best Cleaners for Epoxy Floors

• Warm or hot water: The easiest option for regular upkeep, hot or warm water provides an effective clean without leaving residue.
• Diluted Windex or ammonia: With proper dilution, ammonia-based cleaning solutions are great for removing stains and grime while preserving the epoxy coating and can be made easily at home.
• Specialized epoxy floor cleaner: Many pre-diluted cleaners are on the market designed especially for epoxy floors.

Cleaners to Avoid on Epoxy Floors

• Vinegar: Vinegar and citrus-based cleaners are too acidic for epoxy floors and can slowly strip away the glossy surface.
• Bleach: Harsh chemicals like bleach or non-diluted ammonia are too abrasive on epoxy floors, deteriorating the epoxy and leaving it prone to future damage.
• Soap-based cleaners: Cleaners with a heavy soap base leave behind a residue, dulling the floor surface, and can also make it more slippery when wet.

Have concrete flooring? Check out our guide on how to clean concrete floors.

Now that we’ve covered what to clean epoxy floors with, how do you clean epoxy floors, and what equipment is best? While you can certainly go about it with a soft brush or mop, the best way to clean epoxy floors, especially in commercial or industrial settings, is with a floor scrubber. 

Floor scrubber machines can cover large spaces quickly, reducing labor costs and delivering a more consistent clean. In addition, floor scrubbers are easy to use and are a more sustainable cleaning option by reducing water and chemical use. Investing in the right floor scrubber for your needs can significantly impact your business's long-term savings.

Now that we’ve established how to clean epoxy floor coatings with floor scrubbers and the appropriate cleaning solution, how often should you clean your epoxy floor? Although durable and relatively low-maintenance, they still require regular cleaning to reduce wear and tear and maintain high performance year-round. This is especially true in commercial or industrial settings with high traffic from heavy equipment.

Maintaining your epoxy floor with regular cleaning requires four simple steps: sweeping, mixing the cleaning solution, scrubbing, and rinsing. These steps are automated with most floor scrubber models, making cleaning large commercial areas effortless. Keeping your epoxy floors clean helps avoid scratches and other damage, extending the product's life. How to clean epoxy-painted floors or unpainted floors are one and the same, so you can follow these steps for any type of epoxy flooring. 

Step 1: Sweep

The first step in epoxy floor cleaning is to sweep the area of dirt and debris. Many floor scrubbers have a sweeper built in, but if you don’t have one, you can always use an industrial broom.

Step 2: Mix and pour the cleaner

Using your preferred cleaning solution from our list above, mix the cleaner in the appropriate ratio. Most floor scrubbers do this work for you by automatically mixing the solution with water before dispensing it onto the floor. If you don’t have a floor scrubber, mix the cleaning solution by hand before pouring it onto the floor. 

Step 3: Scrub the floor with a floor scrubber

For large commercial and industrial spaces, you’ll be much easier off with a floor scrubber for this step. Floor scrubbers deliver a consistent clean each time and are easy to use and maintain. For more information on using one, check out our blog post on how to use a floor scrubber in a commercial setting.

Step 4: Rinse

Floor scrubbers take the guesswork out of this step by dispensing just the right amount of water to rinse your floor after scrubbing. If you aren’t working with a floor scrubber, pour water over the area and use an industrial squeegee to dry it.

Maintaining clean and safe epoxy floors is especially important in commercial and industrial settings, but how to clean epoxy floors looks slightly different for each space. Understanding the available floor scrubbers on the market is the first step in determining a solution to meet your space's unique needs. Floor scrubbers deliver a consistent and efficient clean every time, cutting down on labor costs for your business and reducing waste. 

Ready to elevate your cleaning process with a floor scrubber for your commercial or industrial business? Reach out today and our dedicated team of experts will help you select the perfect machine for your space.

Can I pressure wash epoxy floors?

The general consensus is that while you can use a pressure washer on epoxy on a low setting, you still risk damage to the epoxy. The harsh spray from a pressure washer may distribute dirt and debris in areas you don’t want and may also damage the surface of the flooring, especially with repeated use. Avoid using a pressure washer on your epoxy flooring unless you have heavy dirt buildup that regular cleaning methods can’t handle. 

How do you remove stains from an epoxy floor?

Most ammonia-based cleaning solutions can tackle tough stains from an epoxy floor. For rust stains, try a lactic acid-based cleaner to spot-treat the area. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and hard-bristled brushes, as they can damage the epoxy coating. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive cleaning pad to tackle those stains. 

What should I avoid using to clean epoxy floors?

Epoxy flooring is unsuitable for harsh chemicals like bleach, highly acidic or citrus cleaners, or concentrated ammonia. These chemicals can cause damage and start to break down the epoxy flooring. Always read the instructions on epoxy floor cleaning products and dilute the product with water when required to ensure safe, damage-free cleaning.