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Slate tile floors are a popular choice in many homes. They’re durable and make for a stunning natural stone look. With natural variants, no tile looks the same, and each gives a striking look for your interior or exterior. Slate floors are not only beautiful but are also very functional. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for decades. So how do you go about cleaning slate tiles?
Slate flooring is a popular type of tile that uses natural stone. That also means that it’s much more durable than other hardy flooring types like vinyl or hardwood. Even conventional tiles are less durable.
Kitchens offer feature slate flooring. The stone look gives the room a more natural feel as no tile will be exactly the same. They’re not the cheapest flooring, but they can last a very long time.
1. Sweep or vacuum
Ensure that your slate tiles last for a long time by sweeping them regularly. Small debris can come off because the tiles naturally break into smaller pieces after they’re installed. This flaking off doesn’t continue forever, and it will stop after a while.
You can get rid of dust and dirt by either sweeping or vacuuming your floors. Use a soft-brushed broom and avoid vacuum cleaner attachments that could scratch your floors.
2. Avoid harsh cleaners
Although slates are durable, you should avoid using very harsh or toxic cleaning products on them. Stone is a natural material and can be damaged easily. It’s best not to use acidic cleaners like lemon or vinegar. Also, steer clear of abrasive chemicals like specialised cleaning products or bleach. Don’t use oil-based cleaning products. These tend to make floors slippery and clog up the surface.
3. Cleaning products
The best cleaning products for slates are the simplest ones. Just mix some dish soap with warm water, and off you go! You can buy special slate cleaning tools for improved results. Some products also offer superior protection against grease and oil-based stains on slates. Other products are formulated for more heavy-duty cleaning or to remove mould.
4. Mopping slate floors
When you’re ready to mop your floors, use a damp mop but wring out any excess water. Mop the floor slowly and wring out your mop often enough to avoid spreading dirt around. If there’s a lot of dish soap residue all over the floor after mopping, give it another go using just plain warm water.
5. How to get rid of stains?
Most food remnants and stains should come away after you’ve mopped the floors. But, some stains can be persistent. A mild detergent and a little scrubbing should be your first attempt at removing any stains when you’re cleaning slates.
If that doesn’t help, you can mix baking soda with a dash of peroxide for a more effective solution to treat stains. Just combine the peroxide and baking soda in equal amounts into a paste. Apply it to the stain, wait for a few minutes and then wipe it with a cloth.
You can use rubbing alcohol to treat stains. Just soak a stone in a mixture of half a cup of rubbing alcohol to four cups of water, then treat the stain by scrubbing it with a little more force. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol on hand, you can try hydrogen peroxide. Mix it with water 1:1, spray it onto the stain and allow it to settle for 10 minutes. Then simply scrub the stain and rinse it with water.
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