To clean epoxy resin floors and countertops, use either mild dish soap or a non-abrasive household cleaner. A crystal-simple green is also a good option for daily cleaning. If you want to clean weekly or monthly to maintain the surface, use murphy’s oil or mineral oil but in small quantities because too much of the oil on the surface will make it blurry and dull.
In this article, you will see the tools needed to clean epoxy floors and countertops, how you can clean and maintain them, and also how to remove blemishes from them. In addition, you will see the precautions to take while cleaning epoxy resin floors and countertops.
Tools Needed For Cleaning Epoxy Floors and Countertops
Here are some of the tools you need to clean and polish epoxy resin floors and countertops:
- Sandpaper ranging from 120 to 1500 grit
- Buffing wheel
- Water
- Sanding block
- Wax products
- Scratch remover solution
- Buffing products
How To Clean and Maintain Epoxy Resin Floors and Countertops
Solvents like acetone, denatured alcohol, and lacquer thinner is the best option for cleaning most epoxy that is yet to cure. If the epoxy has cured, you will need a heat or paint stripper to remove it.
To clean epoxy from floors or countertops, do the following:
- Remove all items on the surface, then carefully sweep and vacuum the surface.
- Remove the dirt and grit on the surface with warm water and a hard foam mop.
- Apply either of the solvents to the surface and wipe them off with a towel or soft fabric.
Maintaining Epoxy Floors and Countertops
To maintain and keep your epoxy floors and countertops in good shape, do the following:
Keep the surface free from dirt
Over time, dirt and grit left on epoxy floors or countertops will stick to it and begin to scratch it. At intervals, use a soft brush and a shop vacuum to remove any dirt or sand on the countertop or floor surface because although epoxy floors are durable, they can damage due to scratches from dirt.
Remove stains
Scrap stains like rust with warm water and a soft deck brush or kitchen scrubbing sponge. Do not use chemicals like comets or steel wool because they are too harsh to the surface. Do not use vinegar or any cleaner that contains citrus or acid because they can react with the epoxy material.
Avoid soap-based cleaners
Do not use soap-based cleaners on epoxy floors because they leave a haze that builds up with time on the surface. Use soft dish soap, a good towel or a deck-scrubbing brush to clean the surface if it requires extra scrub to remove tough stains or spills.
How To Remove Blemishes From Epoxy Resin Floors and Countertops Before Polishing
After cleaning epoxy resin floors and countertops, you might notice some blemishes; an uneven coat or a scratch that needs removal. Polishing requires a clean and smooth surface to do. Removing these stains is necessary before you buff; you can do it by sanding.
To remove these blemishes, you might need variable grits of sandpaper. Use lower grit sandpaper because the lower the grit the deeper it works on the epoxy resin surface.
If you want to smoothen a rough area, begin with a lesser grit and gradually increase till the surface is clean. If the surface is smooth and free of blemishes, you can start with higher grit sandpaper because the surface no longer needs much work.
Precautions To Take While Cleaning Epoxy Resin Floors and Countertops
To clean your epoxy resin floors and countertops, take note of the following:
- Do not use scrubbing pads or abrasives to clean epoxy resin floors and countertops. Using these items can make the floor surface or top blurry and dull.
- Do not use wax or any polish that contains wax.
- If you clean daily, do not leave any leaks or spills on the surface. Wipe them off with a towel or rag immediately.
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner or a mild dish soap for daily cleaning. If you clean weekly or monthly or want to maintain the epoxy resin surface, use murphy oil or mineral oil. Do not apply much; it can blur or dull the surface.
- If a spill occurs during cleaning, use acetone to wipe the surface to make sure that the surface is safe and clean for future use.
- When using acetone to clean off spills, be mindful of the fumes it emits.
In Summary
Epoxy floors and countertop surfaces are delicate and should not be cleaned with an abrasive household cleaner. Mild dish soap or a crystal-simple green is good if you clean daily. If you do not clean often, you can use mineral oil or murphy’s oil, but in a small quantity.
