How To Clean Slate Floors

Slate floors are in demand. Being uncommon, they bestow the house with an altogether different appeal. However, people worry about the hassles of maintaining and cleaning slate floors, which is indeed a comparatively easy task! One should bear in mind that slate is porous and susceptible to inconsequential stains and cracks on application of cleaning fluids or very alkaline solutions. Slate is essentially a metamorphic and foliated rock composed of quartz muscovite and is fireproof and a great electrical insulator which is why various buildings capitalize on it. However, to keep slate flooring clean is a tedious task. You need to limit instances of dirt accumulation and scratches to keep the flooring clean. There are many precautionary steps you must take so as to not damage your lovely slate floors. For starters, do not walk with your shoes on the floor to reduce tracking. Instead, wear slippers to move about in the house. If your kitchen has slate floors, cover it with rugs to avoid spills from tarnishing the floor. To know some more such tips, keep reading this article to unravel the right ways to clean slate floors.

Cleaning Slate Floor

Requirements

Dust Mop
Dustpan
Soft Broom
Vacuum Cleaner
Bucket
Warm Water
Detergent
Wet Mop

Method

The first step entails mopping your slate floors with a dust mop that isn’t oil-based. Stick to one direction as you mop and avoid back and forth sweeps. Remove dust and dirt particles in this manner.
Once this is done, you can use the vacuum cleaner to clean the floor. This would help you clean the floor off the dust and dirt from even the corners of the room.
Grab a soft-bristled broom and collect debris in a dust pan. Cast away this debris into a trash can. Follow this step by mixing a small amount of detergent into a bucket full of warm water. Dip the mop into this mixture and wipe the floor clean!
Wring out the mop every half a minute to prevent dirty water from spreading around. Squeeze out the water and repeat the process over another spot.
You could add some vinegar to the mop water, in case of stubborn stains. Apart from cleaning the floor, vinegar adds a nice bright gleam to the floor. While cleaning, ensure that no one steps over the flooring, until it dries completely. Scrutinize the floor for dull streaks and mop again.
Replace the old coat and apply a new coat of commercial sealer once the old coat starts to wear out. Keep the floor in good shape this way.
Grout in between tiles threatens to stain the flooring. Use special cleaners that will not bleach the grout and change the color of the floor. If the grout is colorless, use a liquid concoction that contains 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide.

Tips

Always place a doormat outside the area of your slate floor, so that visitors entering the premises can dust off their dirty footwear, before stepping on the clean slate floor. Also, while getting doormat do not pick one made from rubber. Rubber mat and slate floor is a bad combination, as rubber sticks to the floor and damages it!
Be careful, while using the vacuum cleaner on the floor. Try not to bang it against the floor, as this may lead to chipping and scratching.
Mop the floor with the dust mop every week, if not every day! This, however, depends on the traffic that the room experiences.
Use a hand brush made of nylon to remove any stains that cannot be removed with the mop. Dip the brush in detergent and warm water. Never use a dust mop on wet floors. Also, never use scrub brushes with metal or stiff bristles.

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