Slate floors are known to be very attractive and porous, but they are very prone to staining and always need special care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. So how do you keep flooring sparkling clean?
Clean the floor
You need to sweep the floor thoroughly to remove dirt, wipe dust across the floor, making sure to only sweep in one direction. Back and forth movements must be avoided as this will constantly spread dust around the house.
If your slate floor is dirty, you can remove the residue with a mild detergent, slate cleaner and water. In addition, you must ensure that you wring your mop thoroughly to remove excess water. Also, wipe down all areas, even the bottom panel, and then rinse the floor with clean water to remove soap scum and scum. Fill your bucket with warm water and rinse the floor again.
Allow the floor to dry by keeping pets and people off the floor.
Removal of stains
If there are spilled liquids on the floor, you can wipe them off immediately with a paper towel or soft cloth.
You can also remove stains with non-metallic bristles, a small amount of detergent, and water. If the stain is stubborn, you can use hydrogen peroxide and water.
Leave the solution on the stain for a few minutes before washing it off. Alternatively, you can treat the stain with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste to the stain and after a few minutes, wash the paste with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.
If the stain is on the colored joint, you can apply the appropriate cream, leave it on for ten minutes and then rinse off the cream with warm water.
Aside from being porous, slate floors are also prone to staining. Therefore, you can apply a floor sealer to the slate floor to prevent stains from forming on it.
Also, never use mats or rubber carpets on your slate floor as they usually damage the floor. Never use an oil-based duster on the floor and make sure the floor cleaner does not contain any acidic ingredients as these easily attack slate floors. Your slate floors will always look glamorous if you use the right floor care techniques.
