Cleaning slate isn't too difficult. It's vital, however,to know what kind of dirt or contaminant you lot are trying to remove before you can make a conclusion every bit to which cleaning production is all-time suitable.

Slate comes in many unlike colours and finishes. Some of these are shine whereas others have a textured surface. Undoubtedly, slate is a very popular fabric for flooring right at present.

Slate generally has good resistance to balmy acids so this gives you a much wider choice of cleaning materials than you would take with more acid-sensitive stones like limestone or marble.

So, how do we get nigh cleaning our slate floor?

First, you demand to check whether the contaminant is mineral based? e.g. grout staining, cement, rust or general dirt. If information technology is, yous would be brash to apply a mild acid cleaner such equally one based on phosphoric acid, for example, Grout Haze Plus . Beware though as whatever acid cleaner may compose the grout also.

In nigh other situations where you accept, for example, general clay and grime, wax, oil or a general build-upwardly of quondam polishes etc. I would recommend using a potent alkaline cleaner such equally Xtreme Clean for periodic intensive cleaning. For everyday cleaning, I'd recommend using a mild, neutral cleaner.

Here's an Expert'due south 6 – Step Guide to Cleaning Slate:

1. Ensure your slate is protected with a high-quality sealer: either an impregnating sealer such as Seal Gold+ which volition give you a natural expect with a mat stop and below surface stain protection. Or, if you adopt the look of wet slate, in so far as the darker colours, only yet want a natural, mat, no-sheen finish, then look a good quality enhancing sealer such as Enhance 'N' Seal. Alternatively, you can utilise a coating sealer for a pleasant low sheen gloss which really helps any ongoing cleaning.

2. You must eliminate all grit – this is the major cause of all wear to slate floors. Ideally, identify a grit mat both inside and outside the room which will aid remove grit from shoes and prevent it from spreading to the slate floor.

3. Sweep and vacuum the slate floor regularly. This volition also aid remove grit from the surface of the floor.

4. Mop up and soak up isolated spillages as they happen. Y'all shouldn't leave strong contaminants such as coffee or wine to dwell on a slate floor.

5. Launder the slate regularly intervals using a mild, neutral cleaner. This will clean the slate only it won't damage the stone, grout or the sealer used.

6. Less oft, bear out a deep clean. For this, we recommend using a high alkaline cleaner. More in Part 2.

Update 22/01/xiii – Check out this case study on cleaning slate

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