Slate is a stunning and unique natural stone that adds character and charm to any space it graces. Over time, though, daily wear and tear, foot traffic, and spills can take their toll, leaving your slate floors looking dull and lackluster.
It’s important to complete a thorough job at the beginning of the cleaning process, otherwise it’ll remain average, at best, throughout the whole process.
In this case, you want to remove loose dirt and fine debris from the surface as much as possible. Brooms or vacuum cleaners can be used for this.
Slate flooring can be cleaned with either of the aforementioned cleaning tools, but professional cleaners recommend using a dust mop for surface dirt removal.
Slate floors should be vacuumed using a soft brush attachment, with the vacuum cleaner set to the hard floor setting.
Slate flooring usually accumulates dirt and debris in joints and grout lines, so you should slowly glide the vacuum head over these areas when vacuuming it.
Easy Care Guide For Slate Flooring
A slate tile floor can add a touch of elegance to any room and are as durable as they are beautiful.
In order to keep its good looks, all natural stone does require a little more maintenance and care. If you take the time to care for your slate tile floor properly, it can last for decades with the right care and maintenance.
Daily Care
Daily sweeping is recommended for slate floors. In the months following installation, this is particularly true. In such cases, small pieces may flake off the surface due to “spalling,” which is a normal process.
In a few weeks, the slate tile should settle in and stop moving. Use a gentle cleanser to clean your slate tile floor.
The best way to clean natural stone is with a product designed to clean natural stone or another solution that does not contain lemon or vinegar, preferably one that has a neutral pH. Use a soft cloth or let it air-dry after rinsing with clean water.
So, How Do I Clean Slate Floors?
It will always be necessary to clean your flooring on a regular basis, no matter how well you take care of it. It only takes a few simple steps to clean slate floors.
If the floor is stone, first sweep it with a soft brush attachment or vacuum it with a vacuum designed for stone floors to loosen any debris.
The floor should be dust mopped with a rag mop with cotton fibers. Make sure you sweep the mop in the same direction each time, moving slowly to prevent dust from being scattered.
Two gallons of warm water should be combined with 1/4 cup of mild soap (dish detergent or slate floor cleaner) if desired; plain water will suffice if your floor is not too dirty.
To avoid spreading dirty water, mop the floor slowly and wring it out frequently. A clean mop and clean water should be used if the floor is sudsy or soapy. Make sure the floor is completely dry before walking on it.
It is important to move any rugs or furniture when cleaning your slate floor so that the entire floor can be cleaned. In this way, the floor will maintain its color and wear evenly.
Special Care
It is true that slate flooring is more likely to scratch than other types of flooring. Mineral oil may be able to hide scratches if they occur.
It’s possible to remove stains from slate flooring with a stain-removal poultice that is available at stores if the slate has been properly sealed.
If you don’t want to use a commercial poultice, you can make your own by mixing flour with hydrogen peroxide.
Then spread it over the stain, covering it with plastic wrap, and let it sit for 6 hours or overnight. Then you can wipe it off with a damp cloth or use a gentle scraper to remove it. Several applications may be required.
Stain Removal
You can spray any stains with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. Afterwards, scrub it with a soft scrub pad (not steel wool) or a soft-bristled brush for five or ten minutes.
It is important to be careful if you have a slate floor with colored grout, as this bleach solution could damage it.
Make a bubbly paste using peroxide and baking soda for tougher stains. Apply the paste after the bubbles have subsided, and let it set. With a damp, warm towel, wipe the slate clean.
Occasional Deep Cleaning
- Ensure that any loose dirt is removed by sweeping, dusting, or dry mopping the surface.
- Warm water and mild dish detergent should be mixed together.
- For dirt and grime removal, saturate a rag (or mop) with soap solution.
- Let the surface air dry overnight after drying with a towel.
- After the slate has dried, apply teak oil to the slate using a soft cloth once the surface has dried.
- Most large hardware stores carry teak oil at a reasonable price. However, slate oil is much more expensive and more difficult to find.
Sealing
A sealer should be applied on a yearly basis to slate tile flooring to prevent staining and scratching and ensure water repellency.
Pour a bit of water on your slate tile to see if it needs sealing. It needs to be sealed if the water left a darkened spot for more than 10 minutes after it washed off. There are some types of slate that require sealer application more frequently than others.
Dos and Don’ts
The following are some general guidelines:
Do:
- Protect the floor from heavy foot traffic by using rugs or mats
- Once a year, apply sealer
- Spills should be cleaned immediately
- Natural stone should be cleaned with a pH neutral cleaning product, or with a product made specifically for natural stone
- Instead of sliding furniture across the room, carry it
Do Not:
- If possible, use abrasive cleaners or products that contain vinegar, lemon, or bleach
- Use a scoot instead of a floor protector to move furniture across the floor
- Slate floors should be vacuumed with a beater bar vacuum cleaner
How Often Should You Clean Slate Floors?
Even if your slate doesn’t seem dirty, it is best to clean it with water and mild detergent at least twice or three times a year to prevent grime and staining.
Since slate is porous, it is recommended that you seal it with a stone-and-tile sealer, which you can buy at big hardware stores or tile suppliers.
Leaving stains on slate floors for an extended period of time can also make them difficult to remove. In order to keep dirt and fine debris from collecting on the floor, experts recommend sweeping or vacuuming daily.
In contrast, slate should only be cleaned or mopped 2-3 times a week. To eliminate the possibility of permanent stains, one must spot-clean stains as soon as they occur.
Moreover, it is much easier to remove fresh stains from slate floors than those that have been left for a long time.
Final Words
You’ll be able to get accustomed to the routine after a few days, since many of the guidelines for maintaining your slate floor are common sense. You can easily maintain your slate for many years to come, keeping it beautiful, warm, and welcoming.
