Slate flooring, while beautiful, requires diligent maintenance to avoid unsightly dirt build-up and potential scratches.
- Make sure you buy a good quality dust mop, and make sure it is not oil-based. You can find a variety of such mops at most home improvement stores or janitorial supply stores.
- Depending upon the location of your slate floor and the amount of traffic, it may be necessary to dry-mop the floor every day, making sure to take the mop outside after every use and give it a good shaking.
- Strategically place doormats outside the area where your slate floor is located so that people will at least wipe their shoes thoroughly before stepping on the slate. If at all possible, avoid wearing shoes on the slate altogether.
- Avoid rubber-backed mats on slate floors as the rubber may stick to or damage the slate.
- It’s okay to vacuum a slate floor, but you must use ONLY a soft brush attachment and you must be very careful not to bang or jerk the vacuum cleaner on the floor as it may cause chipping, scratches, or other damages.
- One of the best ways to keep you slate floors looking their best is to apply sealant.
- Although Stone and Tile Sealant can be found at most stone/tile retailers. Having a professional slate tile restoration expert like Bizaillion Floor seal your slate floor is the best option. With over 40 years of experience in sealing slate floors, we will do the job right the first time increasing the overall life of your flooring.
Schedule Your Slate Floor Restoration Consultation Today! or Call us at 281-894-7823
Removing Stains and Spills from Slate
Even with regular maintenance, stains will still occur, especially in the grouted area of the slate floors. Grout by nature is very porous and can easily absorb spills, which causes staining.
- All slate floor spills should be wiped up immediately with a paper towel or soft cloth.
- For slate floor stains that the mop misses, try using a hand-held scrub brush with nylon or other non-metal bristles. Use a small amount of water and detergent to scrub the area, then rinse.
- If the stained area is on grout that is NOT colored, spray the stain with a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Let stand for about 15 minutes and repeat. Again, ONLY use this method if you DO NOT HAVE COLORED GROUT. Peroxide is a form of bleach and will discolor colored grout.
- If the stain persists, make a paste of peroxide and baking soda (allowing the bubbles to settle before applying). Apply the paste to the stain and let it set. After it is dry, re-spray with the 50/50 solution and whipe with a soft cloth or paper towel. Again, ONLY use this method if you DO NOT HAVE COLORED GROUT.
- If you do have colored grout, another alternative for stain removal may be shaving cream. Still, it is important to test the shaving cream on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it will not discolor the grout. Once you’ve determined it’s safe, apply shaving cream to the grout stain, let sit for about 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
- Many stone and tile manufacturers and retailers do sell products designed to remove grout stains (online stores would include those listed in the links above). Again, you should make sure that any such commercial cleaner is NON-ACIDIC and designed for use on slate floors.