How To Clean Epoxy Floors
HOW TO CLEAN EPOXY FLOORING?
Maintaining clean flooring is not an easy task, and to keep them good as new is even more difficult. The trick is to use the best of products compatible with your flooring and clean them properly utilizing appropriate equipment. Not all floorings are the same, and not all of them are compatible with the same cleaning detergents and sweeping techniques. Different floorings demand a cleaning routine according to the material used in the flooring and the number of times the floor should be swept is also different. Hardwood, laminate, carpet, parquet, and epoxy are the most common types of flooring you will find. These floorings are diverse from each other and cannot be handled in the same way. All these have different maintenance and cleaning routine; We’ll be talking about how to clean epoxy flooring in particular and about its maintenance.
Firstly, What Is Epoxy Flooring?
Itis an affordable type of heavy-duty and long-lasting flooring that is an excellent choice in the long run. They are made of polymers and resins, both of which combine to give a durable plastic-like finish. This plastic has a long life, slow degradation property, and is resistant to scratches and different types of wear and tears. It comprises a multi-layer flooring composed of epoxy material that is normally about 2 mm deep.
It is gaining popularity due to its efficient applicability and functionality. Such flooring is easy to clean and maintain. It requires minimum labour and effortless cleaning. This flooring is not easily damaged by things or heavy furniture with a slip-free finish and withstands shock. Epoxy is available in a variety of colour combinations that can bring your dream flooring to life. The polished finish that is given by epoxy adds to the sparkly look of the floor, which means less maintenance is required to keep the clean look alive. Epoxy is so convenient as any spillage can be easily wiped off with a cloth and does not stain quickly. The dust and junk on the floor can be swept away without any vigorous rubbing or mopping
HOW TO CLEAN EPOXY FLOORS - Lets Get Into It
Since epoxy floor consists of polymers and resins, they require minimal cleaning and sweeping, but this is not a reason to not clean them ever. They do need some cleaning to keep them long-lasting and spot-free.
1. START WITH MOPPING
An epoxy floor does not require a harsh sweeping rather, a simple dusting using a mop will suffice. The dirt can be swept using a mop of stiff-bristles but soft. Using this mop once a week will work for you. If you wish to clean your flooring further, you can use water to clean the floor and then use any absorbing cloth to remove the water and dirt. Avoid using hard-foam mops and string mops because such mops are prone to leave marks on the floor, damaging the glossy look of the flooring. An intense scrubbing is required once a month to keep your floor sparky. This is more needed if you have pieces of machinery or vehicles around the flooring, such as in garages.
2. VACUUM
You can also go for a vacuum if you want the cleaning to be more convenient. However, the vacuum should be the one with an attachment that is soft and not harsh for the flooring. The frequency of cleaning the floor using the vacuum is dependent on the amount of dirt that gathers on the floor.
3. USE EPOXY FRIENDLY CLEANERS
The cleaning detergents that contain chemicals damaging to the plastics or resins should be avoided, like those containing vinegar or citrus. Vinegar has acetic acid that can ruin the gloss of an epoxy floor progressively with every use, while citrus cuts down the catalyst keeping epoxy together. Prefer using all-purpose cleaners that are also biodegradable to keep an environment friendly and sustainable usage also. Use cleaners that have a good amount of water, ethoxylated alcohols (with 9-11 carbon chains), sodium citrate, and sodium carbonate. Such cleaners should be used in diluted proportions with hot water, as a spray bottle mixture, or as it is, according to your preference. Spray the mixture on the floor and mop or let it air dry. It will leave a glossy finish to your cleaning.
You can also use natural cleaning mixtures if you do not wish to use the marketed ones. Take half a cup of ammonia and add it to a gallon of water. As explained above, you can store small amounts in spray bottles and use conveniently.
To clean an extremely dirty floor, you will have to snuggle all the dirt away using your vacuum or a mop. After a swift mopping of the dirt, you have to use hot water to remove the remaining built, and lastly, use your cleaner mixture or natural ammonia one to provide the finishing sweep.
4. AVOID SOAP
Cleaning your floor with soap mixture is a bad idea because soaps can cause permanent streaking of the floor that will be irreversible. Soaps also tend to make the floor slippery and reduce the durability of the floor. Tough stains and grease can be removed using the cleaners mentioned above with a cloth and a gentle scrubber until the grease is removed and follow the same procedure for cleaning the extremely dirty floor. To maintain the health of your floor, soaps or soap-containing cleaners are a big no.
5. REMOVAL OF STAINS
For the removal of stain, use soft and gentle scrubs or pads, or brushes. Always avoid steel or metallic scrubs. Epoxy easily gets rid of stains by wiping. Gentle scrubbing will work if the stain is stubborn and does not go away with wiping. The use of harsh mops, hard-bristles, and abrasive cleaners will take away the shine and spark of your epoxy floor. The catch is not to let the stain sit for so long that it becomes hard to remove.
6. AVOID OVER-CLEANING:
Epoxy is low-maintenance with natural luster and shine. It is easy to clean, and it stays clean for a long period. Epoxy does not require an everyday sweep because it is such an amazing choice of floorings. If you overdo the cleaning, it will ruin your flooring. So avoid sweeping every day.
The Conclusion
Epoxy flooring is a great idea if you want to have an easy life when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your flooring. Epoxy looks shiny and sleek all the time. The advantages it has over other flooring choices make it efficient and effective. The maintenance is not challenging, making your life easy. The cleaning is uncomplicated, time-effective, and stays for a longer period too. What else could one ask in life? Now you know how to clean your floor and the best ways for maintenance!
