Does your garage floor have a tendency to get messy during the winter months? Are you searching for tips and tricks to keep it clean and dry? If so, this information is definitely something to keep in mind.
There is no reason to let snow, salt and slush get you down. There are many things, most of them fairly simple, you can do to eradicate the mess. Here are five "cleaning garage floor" tips to get you started.
Must Have Supplies
In order to tackle the problem adequately, it's best to keep necessary supplies on hand. Some of these supplies include:
- Old wet/dry vacuum (Excellent for picking up large chunks of slush and rock salt).
- Broom and large dustpan (An alternative, if you don't have a wet/dry vacuum).
- Distilled white vinegar (Mix 1 gallon hot water and 1 cup vinegar, to clean and disinfect floor. Vinegar doesn't freeze).
- Powdered laundry detergent (Mop floor with one gallon hot water, mixed with one cup of detergent).
Don't Forget a Squeegee
Believe it or not, a basic squeegee works wonders to clean a messy garage floor. Once you try it, you may never want to use a shovel, for the same job again.
Keeping the Floor Dry with Mats
When it comes to garage floor snow mats, there are many choices available. Using them is probably the quickest way to protect the surface underneath. They can be placed over the entire garage floor, or if money is tight, strictly under your vehicles.
These mats are easy to clean. Once the winter weather is behind you, simply roll them up and store them until the next time they're needed.
Additional Methods to Absorb or Repel Water
Old carpet remnants and large pieces of heavy cardboard make somewhat suitable alternatives to floor mats.
You also have the option of sealing the floor with a product such as silicone, epoxy or acrylic. The floor remains very easy to clean. However, depending on the quality of the product you purchase, sealing your garage floor can be rather expensive.
Repairing Damage
Repairing minor garage floor damage is common, especially after a harsh winter. First, thoroughly mop and clean the floor with either one gallon of hot water mixed with vinegar or a few squirts of your favorite liquid dish detergent.
Salt stains, left behind, typically disappear when you tackle them with a large scrub brush. Keep in mind that this takes elbow grease on your part. If the stains are particularly stubborn, use a solution of one part hydrochloric acid mixed with 20 parts water.
Some car experts recommend not to park your car in the garage every day. They say it's best to park in your driveway, on occasion. Why? If you have road salt on your vehicle, it reacts to the heat in your garage. In some cases, this causes vehicle damage.
It's also good idea to inspect your garage door seal, before the weather gets cold. If the seal is bad, water and snow can blow in through the cracks.
These are just a few ideas to keep your garage floor clean and dry, in the wintertime. Doing so, helps to reduce the possibility of the damage, mentioned above, which is sometimes difficult to repair. It also reduces the possibility of injury, due to an accidental slip and fall.
Taking the time to winterize your garage floor before bad weather hits is the smart thing to do. Better yet, it's probably easier to accomplish than you think. Why not get started today?
To keep your garage warm and comfortable over the winter it’s also important to have a durable and insulated garage door. If you think it’s time for something new, contact us for a free quote on a new garage door!
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