How to Keep Epoxy Floors Shiny: 14 Natural Ways

Epoxy floors are becoming increasingly popular in recent years because of their durable nature and low maintenance.

However, epoxy can become dull and lose its luster over time, especially in high-traffic areas.

The good news is that there are many natural ways to keep your epoxy flooring shiny and beautiful.

But first, let’s discuss what epoxy is and what creates that gorgeous shine.

What is Epoxy Floor Paint?

Epoxy floor paint is a type of flooring that is created by combining epoxy resin with pigment.

Epoxy resin is a type of plastic used for different purposes, but it is most commonly known as the primary ingredient in surface coatings.

Epoxy floor paint differs from other types of paint because it creates a powerful bond with the coating material, creating a durable and scratch-resistant finish.

Epoxy coating is perfect for use on a concrete garage floor, schools, malls, and other high-traffic areas, so it doesn’t break down like untreated concrete.

What Creates the Shiny Finish on Epoxy Floors?

One of the more beneficial aspects of epoxy is that it provides an excellent glossy appearance and is protective.

Epoxy floors create their brilliant shine from microscopic pores that reflects light, much like a mirror would.

Why Epoxy Can Get Dull

However, epoxy flooring will develop dull spots on high-traffic areas if not properly maintained.

The dullness is because of the epoxy’s surface becoming rough from wear and tear.

So it’s so important to keep your floors clean with routine maintenance to keep them shiny and bright.

How Often Should You Maintain Your Epoxy Floor?

Epoxy flooring can last anywhere from between ten to twenty years with proper maintenance.

It would be best to clean your epoxy floor daily for best results for areas with heavy foot traffic like schools or malls.

We recommend washing them at least once per week and re-applying the sealer every three months for high-traffic home areas.

How to Keep Epoxy Floors Shiny

As much as we love our epoxy floors and all the benefits that come with them, sometimes it’s hard to maintain their high gloss finish when exposed to elements such as constant foot traffic or the sun’s rays.

However, it is possible to keep your epoxy floor looking brand new with these ten natural ways:

1) Use an Electric Sweeper

Using a broom instead of an electric sweeper can leave fine scratches on the glossy surface of an epoxy floor.

A broom will eventually dull the shine caused by the sweeping motion that grounds debris into the flooring.

Another reason you want to use an electric sweeper is because the soft bristles are easier on the floor.

Maintaining Your Epoxy Floor With An Electric Sweeper: Step-By-Step Instructions

• Gently sweep around the area using different angles.
• Always move in one direction to avoid creating fine scratches.
• Do NOT push down hard on the sweeper.
• Once the floor is clean, use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe away any leftover dust particles.

2) Avoid Soap, Citrus Cleaners, and Vinegar

It is natural to think using natural cleaning solutions like soap, lemon juice, or vinegar are good choices to clean your epoxy floor.

However, using these abrasive cleaners for routine cleaning is a big mistake.

Using vinegar causes the epoxy floors’ shine to dull, and lemon juice contains limonene that causes the flooring’s protective properties to wear away.

Soap-based cleaners are also not a good idea to use because they leave a residue on the floor.

It’s also important to note that soap will eventually break down the protective layer of epoxy, which makes it more susceptible to damage.

Having streaks on your floor is not attractive nor safe.

A soap residue makes the floor more slippery and therefore more dangerous.

3) Use Water and Ammonia Instead

You want to use a diluted ammonia solution on your epoxy floor because it is an alkaline material containing no acid.

Soap, vinegar, and lemon juice are all acid-based solutions that will damage the protective floor coating.

You should not use ammonia directly on your epoxy floor. Instead, use a mixture of 1 gallon of hot water and ½ cup of ammonia.

Cleaning Your Epoxy Floor With Ammonia: Step-By-Step Instructions

• Before you start, protect your eyes and wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the ammonia.
• Use a microfiber mop or rag to apply the ammonia solution to your floors.
• Dampen a clean mop and wring out excess water before applying.
• Don’t over saturate the mop or rag, as this will leave streak marks.
• First, work on one section of your floor at a time.
• When mopping, always move in one direction only to prevent streaking from occurring on the flooring’s surface.
• Never use ammonia on wood, marble, or unsealed epoxy.
• Wipe the floor with a clean microfiber towel and get your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright shine!

4) Use Simple Green for Tough Stains

Most household cleaners are too abrasive for epoxy floor care.

However, you can use Simple Green for removing tough stains.

Simply Green is a cleaning solution that is free from chemicals and made of a natural formula.

It’s safe to use around humans, plants, pets, and children, and it gets the job done!

We recommend a mixture of one-half cup of Simple Green with a gallon of warm water.

5) Use Floor Mats Near Entryways

Floor mats near entryways, such as a garage floor, help reduce built-up dirt, debris, and moisture tracking.

Mats also help create a protective barrier between your delicate flooring surface and any potential scratches that may happen.

The best type of mats to use are the ones that are made of rubber, so they are easy to clean and won’t slip.

It’s also a good idea to place mats outside and inside, creating a double protection barrier from dirt and debris.

6) Wipe Up Spills Immediately

Wiping up spills as soon as they occur on an epoxy floor is one of the best things you can do to protect your investment.

The longer you wait before removing spills, the more difficult it is to clean.

Be especially diligent with oil or grease, especially on an epoxy garage floor. Oil, grease, and rust stains can penetrate epoxy’s surface, requiring more work to remove.

Removing Oil and Grease From Epoxy Floors: Step-By-Step Instructions

• Apply a small amount of laundry detergent to the area.
• Let it sit for several minutes.
• Wipe with a mop and hot water.
• Dry completely.
• You can then spray with a glass cleaner to remove any leftover stickiness.

7) Limit Outdoor Shoes

Preventing dirt from outdoor shoes is a great way to protect your epoxy floor.

You can put a boot tray or mat near the front door to catch dirt before it gets inside.

You may also consider using an outdoor carpet runner at the entrance of your home.

Carpet runners are great because they have multiple uses, including helping to remove dirt from shoes.

Once you limit just how much soil comes into contact with your epoxy flooring, you’ll discover that maintaining its appearance is relatively easy.

8) Use Furniture Pads

Using furniture pads on your epoxy floor helps prevent scratches.

The pads can help to insulate your furniture from the floor, protecting it and the flooring.

Furniture pads work exceptionally well with metal pieces.

Tip: Make sure the pad you purchase is designed specifically for use with epoxy floors since some other types may leave marks on the surface.

9) Rotate Furniture

Rotating furniture may sound like a hassle.

However, to prevent uneven wear on any area of your epoxy floor, it is important to move furniture pieces regularly.

Rotate your furniture every year, or at least once every two years, so you can ensure even protection across the entire floor surface.

If you use heavy objects such as appliances or pianos on the same area of the epoxy floor repeatedly, it may cause permanent damage. In addition, this will cause repairs in those areas down the road that you could have avoided if regular rotation had occurred.

The first step before moving any piece of furniture is to lift rather than drag it across the epoxy flooring. Dragging items across the floor will cause more scratches than necessary and remove protective top-coating faster than lighter weight movement would do.

10) Protect from Vehicles

Vehicles parked on an epoxy garage floor for long periods of time are another common culprit, causing the floor coating to lose its shine.

The problem arises from the rubber tires constantly rubbing against the epoxy-coated floor.

A solution is to move the vehicles in different positions if possible. This will help to limit the time they spend parked in any one area and will also help to avoid tire marks.

You can purchase protective rubber mats explicitly designed for use with an epoxy garage floor that lift vehicles off the ground slightly, so tires don’t get in direct contact with the concrete beneath them.

You can also use these mats for heavy machinery.

This is an effective way to provide added protection across a large surface such as garage floors while also protecting against scratches from tire marks.

11) Use Paste Wax

Another great way to help your epoxy floor keep its shine is by applying wax or paste wax.

Paste wax creates a glass-like finish that will help repel dirt and stains while protecting the topcoat from scratches.

It is best to apply paste wax to your epoxy floor about every three months.

If you have a specific area that seems especially susceptible to scratches, you can often apply wax.

Paste wax works best when applied to semi-polished epoxy coating because it helps fill in small cracks or pores on the surface of your flooring, which creates an even finish.

How to Use Paste Wax on Epoxy: Step-By-Step Instructions

• To apply, first clean the flooring thoroughly with only water only.
• Using a microfiber cloth, buff on thin coats of paste/carnauba wax one section at a time until you have coated every area evenly.
• Once you have finished, use a different cloth to buff the wax until it is completely dry and there are no streaks or smudges.

The wax will protect your epoxy floor from scratching and provide a glossy finish.

12) Use Microfiber Cloths

Using a soft cloth instead of paper towels to clean up spills or dirt on an epoxy painted floor helps reduce damage.

Using paper towels on epoxy floor coatings can create permanent scratches and will damage the surface.

The best way to clean up spills or dirt is by using a microfiber cloth, which is much softer than paper towels and will not damage the surface.

When using a microfiber cloth, squeeze it out until it is just damp to avoid excess liquid that could seep into your flooring and cause them to swell or crack.

If possible, use two microfibers: one for cleaning up spills and dirt and another for finishing the final buffing once all contamination has been removed.

13) Clear Entryways of Loose Items

It’s best to clear entryways of loose items as much as possible, as this helps to avoid scratches and other damage from things being dragged across the flooring.

Having too many loose items scattered throughout entryways is one of the most common causes of causing nicks, gouges, and other damage.

14) Sweep and Mop Regularly

Regular sweeping and mopping of your epoxy coating help to remove excess dirt, dust, or debris that could lead to scratches or other forms of damage.

Wrapping Up

By following the steps mentioned in this article, you help reduce wear and tear on your epoxy flooring that will help to prevent scratches, nicks, and chips.

By being diligent in keeping your epoxy floor shiny and clean, you can also increase your flooring as well.

There is nothing more beautiful than a bright, shiny, clean floor. And it is easy to keep your epoxy floor looking great by following these simple steps.

We hope you found this information helpful and invite your questions or feedback. Contact us at (713) 365-0444.

Do you have an epoxy floor? What do you do to keep the epoxy floor surface shiny and beautiful?

Let us know in the comments below.