Cleaning Slate Floors is relatively easy, especially if you take steps to keep the floor in good condition.
vacuum slate floor models
The important thing to remember is that slate is very porous, even when a sealer is applied, which means that it can be stained by some cleaning fluids, and extremely alkaline solutions can sometimes cause cracks or pits in a slate floor. If you take good care of a slate floor, it should endure for many years of use.
When you Cleaning Slate Floors, you want to remove dirt and stains without damaging the tile or staining it.
Stripping Slate Floor Picture
Start by establishing a few house rules, like not wearing shoes on your slate floor, which will help to reduce tracking. If you have slate flooring in the kitchen, use small throw rugs around the stove and the sink to catch spills before they hit the floor; likewise with a slate floor in the bathroom. These steps will make it much easier to cleaning slate floors.
Slate Floor Cleaning Photo
You should always sweep or vacuum a slate floor before cleaning it, and running a dust mop over the floor is highly recommended. If you Cleaning Slate Floors with these techniques at least once a week, you may find that more intensive mopping is not required as frequently. Take the time to move furniture when you cleaning slate floors, as you want to keep the whole floor clean, not just the part you see. Consider putting felt pads on furniture with legs so that it will not scuff the floor.
drying slate floor picture
If you need to mop, the best thing to use is plain hot water. Dip a clean mop into the hot water, squeeze it to get as much water out as possible, and then run it lightly over the floor, rinsing frequently. If the floor is very large, change the mop water partway through. If you have stubborn stains or the floor is in a high traffic area, add some vinegar to the mop water; this will also leave the floor with a nice, bright gleam.
