The floor looked great at the start. A few months later, you notice flat patches near the doorway, light scratches and marks that do not wipe away as easily. It is disappointing because you remember how smooth and tidy it looked in the beginning.
Half the epoxy floors around Perth end up like this because people treat them like regular flooring and wonder why the shine disappeared.
Epoxy flooring in Perth residential spaces lasts twenty years, looking brilliant. But only with proper care. Wrong products, lazy habits, or straight-up neglect will dull that glossy finish faster than a teenager dulls kitchen knives.
Good news, though. Maintaining epoxy takes less work than any other floor. No fancy equipment. No expensive cleaning services. Just know what helps the floor and what harms it.
Here is a simple guide for Perth homeowners who want their epoxy floor to stay strong and look good for a long time.
5 Minutes Daily Saves You Thousands Later
Regular care prevents most issues before they even show up. Small grit, like dirt or tiny stones, acts like sandpaper under shoes. That slow grinding is what dulls the surface. Clear the grit and the shine stays.
For daily areas or even every few days in garages:
- Sweep with a soft broom
- Clean up spills as soon as you see them
That simple routine keeps the surface healthier for much longer.
No daily mopping unless something actually spilled. High-traffic spots need attention daily. Garages can go a few days between sweeps.
Soft-bristle matters here. Those stiff outdoor brooms scratch epoxy over time. Grab an indoor broom meant for finished floors.
One mop lasts for years and does the job properly.
Weekly Deep Clean: It’s Easier Than You Think
Once a week, give it a real clean. Gets rid of buildup that sweeping misses and brings back the shine.
Grab these:
- Warm water with a bit of ammonia-free cleaner
- pH neutral stuff (pH 6-8)
- Actual epoxy floor cleaner if feeling fancy
Don’t touch these:
- Vinegar cleaners (too acidic, eats the finish)
- Citrus cleaners (same problem)
- Soap-based anything (leaves gross residue)
Mix your cleaner in a bucket before you start. Pouring it straight on the floor just creates a mess. Use a microfiber mop – those old string mops leave too much water behind. Epoxy handles water fine, but puddles sitting there just pull in more dirt.
Work in small sections and rinse your mop regularly. After you finish each section, go over it once more with a clean, damp mop. Then let it air dry on its own.
Those Annoying Scratches Don’t Have to Be Permanent
Scratches happen. The trick is preventing most of them and knowing which ones are fixable.
Stop scratches before they start:
|
What Causes It |
Fix It With |
What It Costs |
|
Moving furniture |
Felt pads under legs |
Ten bucks |
|
Office chairs |
Chair mat for hard floors |
$40-80 |
|
Tools and equipment |
Rubber mats in work zones |
$30-100 |
|
Dirt from outside |
Entry mats at every door |
$25-60 |
Entry mats are huge. One outside, one inside each door. This stops 80% of scratchy particles before they touch the epoxy. Remember to clean or replace mats regularly.
Light scratches already there? Try buffing with a soft cloth and a tiny bit of car wax (not furniture polish) in gentle circles. It fills microscopic scratches and brings back some shine. Only works on surface scratches; deep gouges need pros.
Deep scratches or chunks missing from residential epoxy floor installations need professional patching and recoating. DIY attempts look worse than the damage.
When Your Floor Loses Its Shine (And How to Fix It)
Dull epoxy means dirt buildup; wrong cleaners damaged it or the topcoat wore out. Each one needs a different treatment.
- Dirt buildup: Clean it properly with epoxy-specific cleaner. Sometimes it takes multiple cleanings to strip months of accumulated crud. Shine comes right back after.
- Chemical damage: Used the wrong cleaners for months? The surface might be etched. No DIY fix exists. Needs professional recoating. This is why using proper cleaners matters.
- Worn topcoat: High-traffic spots eventually wear through the topcoat. Happens in busy commercial spaces after 10-15 years. Professional topcoat reapplication fixes it and costs way less than new floors.
Some folks try floor polish or wax to restore shine. Terrible idea. Creates buildup that yellows and makes floors slippery. Epoxy’s shine comes from the material itself, not gunk added on top.
Perth Weather Changes Things
Perth’s climate messes with maintenance more than expected. Hot, dry summers and wet winters need different approaches.
Summer headaches:
- Direct sun through windows yellows cheap epoxy over time
- Heat makes floors expand slightly
- More dust and sand tracked inside
UV-blocking window film on west-facing windows helps. Close blinds during peak afternoon heat when the sun blasts directly onto epoxy flooring installations in Perth residential spaces.
Winter problems:
- Water tracked everywhere
- Salt and moisture from the coast
- Temperature drops (minor impact)
Go for more mats and more frequent cleaning during winter. Tracked-in moisture carries junk that dulls epoxy fast. Clean water and mud immediately instead of letting it dry and grind into the surface.
Quick Monthly Check Prevents Expensive Repairs
Once a month, actually look at the whole floor:
- Any new scratches or damage?
- Dull patches showing up?
- Edges where walls meet the floor look okay?
- Door mats still clean and working?
- Cleaning products still the same? (companies reformulate without warning)
Catching stuff early prevents disasters. Small scratch buffed out today won’t become a canyon tomorrow.
Mistakes That’ll Wreck Your Floor (Stop Doing These)
Half the wrecked epoxy floors in Perth come from well-meaning stupidity:
Never ever use:
- Steam cleaners (heat damages epoxy bonds)
- Pressure washers indoors (way too much force)
- Abrasive scrubbing pads (microfiber only)
- Bleach cleaners daily (occasional use is fine; regular use destroys it)
Don’t:
- Drag furniture without protection
- Let spills sit overnight
- Don’t use the same mop you clean the bathroom with
- Avoid car polish, floor wax, or furniture polish on epoxy
When DIY Isn’t Enough, Call Professionals
Most maintenance is easy DIY, but some situations need experts:
- Deep scratches or gouges
- Yellowing that won’t clean off
- Big dull patches despite proper cleaning
- Peeling or flaking anywhere
- Chemical spills that won’t come up
Trying to fix these DIYs usually makes things worse. Professional contractors have proper repair materials and know what they’re doing.
Here’s What Really Matters
Looking after residential epoxy floors is not complicated. A quick sweep now and then and a simple mop with the right cleaner once a week keeps the surface looking fresh. Protect it from deep scratches and the floor keeps its shine for years.
Most issues come from people using the wrong products or letting things build up for too long, which is preventable.
Perth Epoxy Flooring Solutions works with homeowners across Perth to install residential epoxy floors that actually stand up to daily life. We recommend the right system based on how your home is used and what the surface will be exposed to. Our installations are focused on durability, hygiene and long term appearance, so the floor stays clean and practical well after the installation is done.
Do not wait until small marks become expensive repairs. Get real guidance now and keep the surface looking the way it was meant to look.
Reach out to Perth Epoxy Flooring Solutions if you want honest advice and maintenance support that is based on real experience, not random internet tips that can do more harm than good.