How to Clean Epoxy Concrete Floors With a Power Washer in 7 Steps

You’ll mostly see concrete floors with epoxy coatings in places meant to take on some wear and tear, like garages and basements, but it can still be disappointing to walk into a space with dull, stained floors. Luckily, cleaning epoxy concrete floors with a power washer can spruce up even the hardest-working areas of your home. Here’s how to spray away dirt, grime, stains, and more from your epoxy floors using a power washer.

Why Do I Need to Clean Epoxy Concrete Floors?

Although epoxy is a durable, attractive, and low-maintenance option for coating concrete floors, it looks its shiniest when you keep up with regular cleaning. Using a broom and mop daily or weekly and jet washing the surface from time to time can keep epoxy floors from looking dull and dirty. Plus, dirt and debris can scratch the surface, and spills can lead to set-in stains.

If you’ve never power washed your epoxy concrete floors or it’s been a long time since you last deep-cleaned the floors, power washing is a good way to clear out stains and get the epoxy looking as good as new again.

How Much Does It Cost to Power Wash Concrete?

Pressure and power washing costs $100 to $500, depending on the size of the area you need to clean and whether or not you DIY. Some power washing jobs are DIY-friendly, but cleaning epoxy floors takes extra care and skill to avoid etching the surface. It’s easy to make a very expensive mistake, which is why investing in hiring a pro for power washing epoxy on concrete is the best option.

How to Clean Epoxy Concrete Floors With a Power Washer

When cleaning epoxy concrete floors is at the top of your to-do list, it’s time to break out the power washer (or rent one for the day), gear up in PPE, and prepare to blast away any grime and stains. 

1. Prepare the Area

Power washing means you’ll be spraying pressurized water around the room, so be sure to prepare the area and protect anything you don’t want to get wet, just like if you were pressure washing the house before painting. Use a soft-bristled broom or a leaf blower to clear out any debris on the floors. Cover the garage door sensors with plastic bags or other coverings for protection, and place a tarp over your work benches and other objects you want to keep dry.

2. Choose the Right Cleaner

Epoxy floors are vulnerable to harsh cleaners. You’ll want to choose a pH-neutral cleaning solution for the power washer to protect the epoxy coating from chipping or flaking. One of the best cleaning options for epoxy floors is ammonia (diluted in plenty of water, of course), but there are also commercial products available. Be sure to check that the commercial product is considered safe for epoxy.

When selecting a cleaner, avoid any highly acidic or basic cleaners, including vinegar and citrus-based cleaners. These could etch or even remove the epoxy.

3. Insert the Proper Nozzle

Because epoxy can be vulnerable under high pressure, you want to use a nozzle with a wider spray and gentler pressure to avoid damaging the epoxy concrete floors. (Actually, now is a great time to brush up on soft washing versus pressure washing if you want to keep your epoxy floors looking as good as new after washing.)

First, attach the black 65-degree nozzle when applying the cleaning solution. Keep the white, 40-degree nozzle handy because you’ll want it to clean away the detergent later.

4. Spray the Detergent

To use a power washer like a pro, start by standing 10 feet from the top left corner of the area you’re going to power wash. Once you start spraying the detergent and water mixture, slowly move closer until you get the most effective water jet streaming onto the floors. Keep the nozzle-end of the power washer wand at least 18 inches from the floor to prevent damage.

Decide which direction makes most sense to move in. In a garage, it may be easiest to work from the top of the room moving left to right as you work your way down.

5. Switch Nozzles

Always make sure to turn off the pressure washer when you need to switch nozzles or pause work for more than a couple of minutes to prevent accidental sprays or an overheated machine. Once the machine is off and has cooled down, switch to the white, 40-degree nozzle and remove or empty the detergent reservoir before rinsing down the floors.

6. Rinse the Floors

Now, moving in the same pattern as before, spray the pressurized water without detergent to rinse the floors. This helps prevent streaking from excess detergent. 

After rinsing, shut off the power washer and squeeze the wand trigger to release excess air and water. Then, rinse the water lines to remove the remaining detergent and put on the safety locks before storing.

7. Squeegee the Floors

Now, use a floor squeegee to drag any excess water off of the epoxy concrete floors. Move the squeegee in whatever direction makes the most sense to you. Try to divert the water toward a slope or drain. Make sure to get in the corners to thoroughly dry your freshly cleaned floors before enjoying their stain-free shine.

Taking Care of Epoxy Floors

Epoxy floors look their best (and require less frequent power washings) when you keep up with simple maintenance. Here are some ways to maintain your epoxy floors between deep cleanings:

• Sweep regularly: Sweep the floors with a soft-bristle broom at least once per week.

• Mop often: Follow up the sweeping with a mop. Use cool or warm water and a gentle, neutral cleaner.

• Avoid stains: Wipe up any spills or messes right after they happen to prevent staining the epoxy.

• Clean up car marks: If you notice some antifreeze, tire marks, or other residue from parking cars in the garage, make sure to use a sponge and gentle cleaner or concrete degreaser as soon as you see the stains.

• Place mats: Garages are home to many heavy tables, tool boxes, and other weighty objects. Wherever possible, add mats under heavy objects and put doormats near entrances to minimize dirt, dings, scratches, and other damage.

• Reseal: Plan to reseal or replace the epoxy every two to five years, depending on how much foot (or vehicle) traffic your floors receive.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Power washing an epoxy concrete floor costs $100 to $500 to buy a power washer or $50 to $100 per day to rent a power washer. Then, you’ll spend $10 to $20 for a bottle of gentle cleaner that’s safe for epoxy floors. If the floors are particularly dirty, you may need to buy two bottles.

However, power washing epoxy can be risky if you aren’t careful. It’s easy to apply too much pressure or spray the water too close to the floor, which can ruin the epoxy layer. Replacing epoxy costs $1,600 to $3,400, which adds up to one expensive mistake. Instead, leave this job to an expert and contact a power washing pro near you.