How To Clean a Slate Floor? – [ DIY Quick Tips 2023 ]

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Do you have a slate floor at your home? Are you looking for an easy DIY to clean the slate floor? Do you want to prolong your slate floor’s life? Then, you landed on the right spot. The slate floor has always been pleasing to the eyes making our home look more soothing and attractive. But with time, you need to clean it regularly to make it durable.

We will provide you with detailed information regarding how to clean a slate floor? This article will answer all your queries. The slate floor is a popular home building material, but to maintain its beauty for a longer time, you need some extra effort to keep it in good shape, no matter if you are using mops to clean your slate floor.

The slate floor is a highly durable natural stone that is taken out of the earth and is ideal for many homes. This metamorphic rock contains many essential minerals that are heated for a long time, which are then converted into a fine stone known as slate. You will often find slate being manufactured in Asia. These stones come in various shapes and colors depending on the location and slate’s minerals.

How To Clean a Slate Floor?

Slate floor stone is highly durable and is incredibly resistant to water as well as looks good when it’s shiny. But everything reaches its limit at some point- slate floors are prone to get dents, specks of dirt, and scratches. If you want to prolong their natural beauty, then they need regular maintenance. Not all types of acids or detergents work against the stone floor.

That’s why you need extra care and need to use proper cleaners for floors. Following are the DIYS that helps to keep your slate floor in good shape. Let’s look into it.

Sweeping or Vacuuming

It would be best if you daily cleaned your slate floor. That’s why regular sweeping and sweeping is the best option. A newly installed slate floor can leave debris, small rocks, dust, and dirt. Hence, it is essential to get rid of them. These tiny rock particles can leave scratches on the floor if they are not adequately cleaned.

You can also use specifically made natural-wash detergents to clean the dirt. Simply wet the required cloth and clean the surface to make it clean and shiny. You can use a vacuum for the dirt that can’t easily be removed from the tiny crevices. Hence, a vacuum can easily reach the required target and clean it easily.

Mopping

Moreover, you can also use a mop to get the dust out of the tiny crevices. Make sure you are moping in one direction. Moving the mop back and forth to pick up the required debris and scatter it all over the place will make work extra hard for you. Spin mop and steam mop (see here how to clean a steam mop) can come in handy to clean extra debris and wring out excess water.

If you want to mop the slate floor, you can use daily laundry detergent, dish detergent, or a specialized slate cleanser. Take a ¼ cup of any detergent and mix it in a bucket. Dip the mop in the bucket and start cleaning the required target. For drying the surface, you can use a dry towel or simply leave the floor air dry. Make sure the cleaners are not acidic; otherwise, they will harm the surface.

Teak Oil and Sealer

After drying the surface, you can use teak oil to give your exterior a warm and rich look. Teak oils are harder to find and are really expensive, but it is worth buying. Repeat the cleaning mentioned above 2 to 3 times. This will help prevent the stains, and later, you won’t need to perform the deep cleaning.

If you want to avoid porous surfaces, stains, and scratches, then a floor sealer is the best DIY that offers excellent sealing. It should be applied every year to keep the floor in a soundcheck. It is readily available in hardware stores.

Simply use a cotton mop and evenly use the sealer on the required area. Hence, this polymer-based coating is highly durable and prevents the surface from tearing. All in all, it makes cleaning and maintenance easier. Also, it protects the surface from stains and damage.

For Removing Nasty Stains

Mild Detergent

Sometimes while you are mopping the surface, some stains still remain on the surface. Cleaning them with a mop can become frustrating. Hence, tackle them as soon as possible. Simply dip the cloth in the solution (either a laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent) and wipe the required stain until it is completely gone.

Warm Water

If the stains do not get off with regular cleaning, then you might need a different option. Warm water is the best solution for removing the stains. Simply dip the scrub or cloth in warm water and scrub the stain till it ultimately leaves the surface.

Baking Soda and Peroxide

Baking soda is the best DIY cleaner in banishing stubborn stains. But for removing the colors from the floor, baking soda and peroxide paste work the best. Mix both of them to form a paste for stubborn stains. When bubbles are formed, apply them to the target area and leave them for a few minutes. After that, remove the paste with a towel or a cloth.

Shaving Cream

Shaving cream is another excellent alternative for removing nasty spots off the surface. Use the shaving cream on the stain and leave it on the stain for 15 minutes. It works best on the colored grout. After 15 minutes, wipe it with warm water and cloth or a towel.

Alcohol

Ordinary alcohol also works the best for removing the stains. Pour half cup of alcohol into the 4 cups of water. Dip the cloth or sponge in the solution and scrub on the targeted spot.

Hydrogen-peroxide

It is a bleaching agent that is the best active oxidizer for removing stains from the floor. Take a spray bottle and combine equal portions of water and hydrogen peroxide to make the paste.

To treat the stain, spray the solution on the persistent stain and leave it for ten minutes. After the required time has passed, remove it with the scrub. Wash it with water to powerfully lift the needed marks, spills, or other kinds of stains.

Benefits of Slate Floor

Aesthetic

The natural stone slate always remains in the latest trend due to its natural elegance, beauty, and sophistication. The slate tile floor gives your interior a classic and aesthetic look. It never goes outdated. This metamorphic rock is uniquely cut into different sizes and shapes and is perfectly adjusted in the house’s interior, either as a floor or as a decor.

The texture and color of the slate also vary depending on the location. For example, Maine or Pennsylvania utilizes deep blue to black colored slate while New York uses multi-colored slate. All in all, they look very aesthetic to the eyes. Hence, its rough appearance and sleek design look very pleasing to the eyes.

Durability

First of all, a slate stone floor is popular for its durability and sturdiness. It can significantly withstand all kinds of harsh weather, foot traffic and doesn’t wear off soon. When sealing is applied, it becomes slip-resistant and features excellent water-resistant properties. All in all, it is straightforward to clean. That’s why you can use a slate floor for years.

Moreover, in the 18th and 19th centuries, slate was used for roofing material. And it could perfectly withstand harsh conditions. So this gives us evidence, how tough this material was. Hence, it is prevalent for its longevity. If it is appropriately sealed yearly, it is an excellent option for the bathroom and kitchen floor.

Comfort

This natural stone perfectly radiates the heat and provides you the best cooling climate. Likewise, it has a smooth texture which gives you excellent comfort even if you walk barefoot. Moreover, its heat retention properties evenly distribute the heat in the house and provide a warm environment in winters. Other than that, it is an excellent hygienic floor that prevents microbes, dust, or pet hair, which in turn keeps you healthy.

Cleaning and Versatility

Slate floors are easy to clean. You only need simple sweeping or vacuum to tackle the dirt. Moreover, you can remove the stains with the help of warm water, mopping, or other essential DIYS. Likewise, if you find any cracked parts, you can seal them with a sealing material. In short, slate floors are easy to maintain.

Slate floors are versatile. It is not only limited to indoor house flooring. Slate floors come in various shapes and colors, and nowadays, stale floors are also installed for garages and poolsides.

Tips

  • Do not use solutions that contain lemon, vinegar, or other types of acids. Vinegar or acid will damage the surface, which in turn will lead to etching, though you can clean tile floors with it. Likewise, it will eat away the stones and damage the sealings used on the stale floors used on the stale floor. That’s why it is always recommended to use specialized cleaning products for stale surfaces.
  • Whenever you see any spill on the surface, make sure to clean it immediately. To protect your floor from all sorts of stains, you can opt for a sealing option, which does not seal the stone but acts as a good repellant.
  • Do not scoot or slide the furniture. Always carry the furniture over the slate floor. Heavy furniture can provide severe damage to finishes. Likewise, make sure your furniture is equipped with non-slip pads. Also, avoid using abrasive products, as they can scratch or chipping. If you are applying sealing near the cooking area, make sure sealing is non-toxic.
  • Make sure that the slate floor matches the required area when it is being installed. Also, read all the instructions needed before the installation of the slate floor. Also, whenever you are using a vacuum cleaner, make sure that the beater bar is turned off. If it is not turned off, it can cause scratches or other damage to the surface.
  • If you have never experienced laying the slate tile before, please seek help from a professional. If you have no first-hand knowledge about slate tiles, make sure to take advice from professionals in this field. Also, make sure that the substrate is free of dirt and make sure your substrate is clean for slate floor installation.

FAQs

Can you use vinegar on the slate?

It is always recommended not to use any kind of acid, lemon, or vinegar on the slate floor. Instead of cleaning the stains, it will discolor and damage the surface. All in all, avoid using metal or other hard scrubs on the slate surface. Make sure the cleaning solution is pH-neutral.

What is the best cleaner for slate floors?

Mopping is one of the gentler cleaning options after sweeping and vacuuming. It thoroughly removes all the dust and debris. But if you can’t wipe the persistent stains with simple mopping, you can use a cleaning solution for natural stone. HyperPeroxide or baking soda is the best natural cleaning solution for removing stains.

Are slate floors hard to maintain?

No, slate floors are effortless to maintain. If you find any sort of dirt accumulated on the surface, you can clean it with the help of a vacuum or mopping. Make sure to broom the floor daily. If you want to remove stains, you can opt for a damp mop or wet cloth. Moreover, apply a sealer every year if you desire to give your floor a new look.

Is slate a good flooring option?

Slate flooring is a good option due to its high traction and durability. It is also resistant to stain, fire and water, making it an ideal choice for bathrooms and kitchens. All in all, it can withstand all sorts of weather conditions. Also, it is resistant to all kinds of cracks, scratches, and chips.

The Bottom Line

To conclude, the slate floor provides you a comfortable and smooth texture. Moreover, they give your habitable zone a classy and stylish look. But if you want to prolong the life of your favorite slate floor, you need to do regular cleaning and maintenance. Adding the cleaning, as mentioned earlier, DIYS to your daily routine will make the cleaning method easier. Give your floor a natural look!


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