There are different types of natural stone flooring, one of which is slate floors. They are durable, and when maintained correctly, they could last a lifetime.
Are you looking for what to clean slate floors with? If you have one, you should know that slate floors requires less maintenance and cleaning, which is why it is often used in high-traffic areas of a household, such as a kitchen.
Although the floor is low maintenance, you still need to know what to clean slate floors with so you do not apply the wrong cleaning product on the floor, which could cause damage.
Read: How to clean floors with hydrogen peroxide
What to Clean Slate Floors With
Table of Contents
To clean slate floors, you’ll need a couple of tools and materials, including;
Equipment / tools:
- Dust mop
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop
- Bucket
- Shallow plastic pan
Materials
- Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
- Sponge
- Stone floor stripper (optional)
- Stone and grout sealer
- Grout sponge
- Clean cotton cloths
- Detergent (optional)
Directions:
Clean the Floor
Use a high-quality, machine-washable dust mop to dust the entire floor. Begin at one end of the floor, preferably the farthest and work your way with the mop toward the other end, using the same motion through the entire floor.
Do not move back and forth with the mop to avoid spreading around dirt and grit. Work in small defined sections at a time, gather and sweep up each line of accumulated dirt before moving on to the next section.
Read: How to remove odor from tile floor
Mop the Floor
With a high-quality washable mop and plain water, mop the entire floor. For a deep clean, you can add a few drops of mild detergent to the wash water.
Avoid flooding the floor with water as you mop, and do not allow large puddles of water to form or be left behind on the floor surface.
If you added detergent to the water, the floor should be rinsed afterwards with plain water thoroughly. Allow the floor to dry completely before returning traffic.
Read: How to clean ungalzed porcelain tile
Remove Stains
Spot and stains can be treated with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and water. Combine 1/2 cup of alcohol with 1 quart of water.
Saturate a sponge, wipe the solution, and wipe at the stain with it. To lift the stain better, you can scrub the stain with a towel or cloth.
Another effective cleaning solution is a mixture of a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and a quart of water; this should be applied with a sponge and/or towel.
Dry the Floor
When you are done mopping and removing every stain and spot from the floor surface, allow the floor to dry thoroughly to avoid standing water which could penetrate into the pores of the floor and damage the subfloor and even your slate flooring. Wipe the floor surface dry with a soft towel or cloth.
Apply Teak Oil
Applying teak oil to the surface of your floor after cleaning can enhance the final look and add a layer of shine to the floor.
Apply a small amount of teak oil onto your slate floor using a cloth, don’t use too much so the pores don’t absorb the oil. You can use slate oil instead of teak oil, but it may be more expensive.
Read: How to clean rough floor tile
Conclusion
To clean slate floors, certain steps must be followed, all of which are highlighted in this article.