Slate is a natural stone that is usually obtained from mountainous regions. It is metamorphic, which means it has formed for thousands of years.
We will be outlining tips on cleaning slate floors with steam; firstly get rid of the dirt or debris, fill your steam mop with water and you are good to do. Don’t forget to have extra pads in case the one you’re using gets soiled.
Minerals such as quartz, calcite, muscovite, et cetera merged and compressed over long periods by heat until they transformed into what we now know as slate floors.
Slate floors are incredibly durable. It is one of the strongest natural stones available, and it is resistant to scratches or cracks.
In this article, we’ll be exploring different tips on caring for our slate floors, particularly with steam.
Related: Why Does My Floor Make My Feet Black?
Design of Slate Floors
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Slate floors come in unique colors. Some come in a single solid color, and others come multicolored. The various color combinations of slate floors are genuinely breathtaking.
Slate floors are naturally beautiful. They give a rustic vibe which is highly sought after.
Tips on Cleaning Slate Floors With Steam
Steam mops come in different sizes or styles. First, get rid of the dirt or debris on the slate floor with the help of a vacuum cleaner.
After that, you fill your steam mop with water, and you’re good to go. Ensure you have enough pads for changing, in case the one in use gets soiled.
The steam mop will get into areas difficult to reach with the regular mop. And remember to air dry when you’re done.
Tips on Regular Cleaning of Your Slate Floors Without Steam
You need to sweep your floor first to remove any lingering dirt or debris with the help of a sweeper or vacuum cleaner. Secondly, you mop.
This involves using a mop, a mop bucket to mix your warm water, and mild detergent. Do not scrub so hard to prevent damage to your tiles.
Thirdly you rinse your slate floor to clean the soap residue to avoid domestic accidents due to its slippery nature.
Finally, you air dry your slate floors. These tips on caring for your slate floor are necessary for bringing out the best in them.
Pros and Cons of Slate Floors
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of slate floors
Advantages of Slate Floors
These are some of the advantages of your slate floors;
- Slate floors are very durable. They have been formed for several years by tremendous heat and pressure.
- Slate though porous like every natural stone is water-resistant. It is advisable to use in rooms with high moisture levels like the kitchen, bathrooms, et cetera. It can also be used in the shower.
- Slate floors can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Slate floors are biodegradable. They are environmentally friendly. They do not contain Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs). No synthetics or unnatural substances; they are 100% natural.
- Slate floors are resistant to fire.
- Slate floors are resistant to chemical attacks.
- Slate floors are beautiful in such a natural way. They come in different colors.
Read: Simple Slate Floors Cleaning Tactics
Disadvantages of Slate Floors
Like every floor option, they all come with advantages and disadvantages. Highlighted below are some of the disadvantages of slate floors;
- Slate floors are expensive. They might be cheaper than other natural stone floors, and it’s still a bit pricey.
- Slate floors are brittle. If a heavy or hard object falls on it, there’s a moderate probability that it might break.
- Slate floors are too complicated. It can get a bit uncomfortable for your feet if you stand on it for too long.
- Slate floors can get too cold during winter.
Structural Concerns
Before deciding to install slate tiles in your home, there might be a few considerations you might need to tick off the box. As discussed above, it is brittle; it’s also quite heavy.
Your floor system, including your subfloor or frame, must be sound. It must be able to withstand the weight of the slate floors.
If you are unsure, you will need to bring in reinforcements to make it able to withstand the weight.
Safe floors are hard to install, making them nearly impossible to install yourself. A professional is needed to install.
Since slate floors are porous, it might be a good idea to apply some sealant before you grout. Slate floors are generally easy to maintain.
As we covered already, a little mopping with mild liquid or general cleaning with a vacuum cleaner would go a long way in keeping our slate floors looking their best.
Read: Simple Tips on How to Clean Travertine Flooring
Conclusion
During this article, we’ve been able to know the chemical make-up of our slate floors, their origins, and tips on cleaning slate floors with steam and without steam.
We also covered the pros and cons of installing slate floors. We’ve also learned about its unique designs and the structural concerns an installation of slate floors needs to address.
Slate floors are fantastic, they’re durable, they make for nice bathroom flooring, but they are also expensive, cause considerable discomfort to our feet, and might break when something heavy falls on them.
This article was written to give you in-depth knowledge about tips on cleaning slate floors with steam.
Regardless of the outcome of your choice of method to clean your slate floor using steam, we’re pretty sure it would be the right one for you.
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