DIY – Cleaning slate floors

Slate is one of a number of natural stone floors which has become increasingly popular as a choice for indoor flooring.  Slate offers a number of advantages – aesthetically it offers a naturally beautiful and unique design which is visually appealing while in terms of maintenance it is a naturally durable and resistant material which is more resistant to staining and scratching than the majority of floors.

This piece is about DIY maintenance but it would be prudent to start with something that you shouldn’t do yourself and that is concerned with the installation.  It is highly recommended that slate be installed by an experienced professional who will install over a solid foundation and place directly over a layer of grout, before proceeding to apply grout to the gaps between the tiles.  This is notoriously difficult to do, and if not done correctly can lead to future maintenance problems.

Once the floor has been installed, the application of a sealant is a priority, and this is something you can do yourself.  Liquid sealants with seal the surface of the tiles can usually just be applied with a mop, but should be applied in various stages – just make sure you follow the instructions.  A separate sealant (colour grout sealant) should be applied to the grout, and you can consult a specialist in cleaning slate floors for a recommendation.  Just remember to make sure the floor is clean before you apply the sealant.

After the sealant has been applied you should mainly concern yourself with protecting the floor against damage, as the sealant will facilitate your cleaning efforts.  Spillages should, of course, be cleaned up as soon as they occur, but if possible you should try and avoid surface scratches which can damage the surface of the floor but also the sealant which protects it.  Surface scratches are usually caused by grit and dirt particles walked in on the soles of shoes so placing and using doormats is a good start as well as regular sweeping and vacuuming.

Once the floor has been swept – cleaning can involve no more than mopping with warm water and a little detergent or a neutral PH cleaner.  Just make sure you clean all parts of the floor, spending a little extra time on surface marks, and rinse regularly with clean water to remove any residue which may be left.  If you want to use a cleaning product be sure to avoid any with a bleach or acid content as this can discolour or mark natural stone – and ask a company specializing in cleaning slate floors to recommend one for you.

If you do find there is a surface build-up of staining which you cannot remove or that the floor has become damaged you may need to consult a professional but by following simple steps you may not have to for many years.