Slate floors are beautiful. Nobody can deny this. The problem is that it is not so easy to maintain that beauty. Dirt build-ups can always appear and scratches are a constant concern. If you have natural slate floors at home and you want the condition they are in to always be great, here is what you have to know.
Regular Cleaning Of Slate Floors
In order to properly clean slate floors you will need a bucket, some warm water, soft-bristle brooms a good dust mop, a wet mop and a mild detergent. Make sure that loose debris is removed by sweeping the floor. Use a soft dust mop for that. Take the bucket and use around a quarter of a cup of the detergent in a gallon of warm water. Mop all the floor areas in smooth, slow strokes. While rinsing is not always needed, you do want to do this whenever you see fit. The entire floor needs to be kept air-dry. While the slate flooring is drying, do not have foot traffic present.
Some Cleaning Tips For Slate
It is important that the dust mop is of a high quality. It should not be oil based. Then, based on slate floor location and traffic amount, dry-mopping floors daily may be a necessity. The doormats have to be strategically placed so that people can wipe their shoes before they start walking on the floor. Just do not use rubber backed mats. They can actually damage the slate.
Vacuuming slate floors is always a possibility. However, the soft brush attachment is the only one that you should use. This helps avoid the possibility of ending up with scratches, chipping or other damage.
Prevention Instead Of Repair
Applying sealant is practically one of the best ways to be sure that slate floors are going to look as great as possible. Around 3 coats are normally needed, being applied based on manufacturer indications. Cotton string mops are always better. As the sealant will thoroughly dry, maintain the floor regularly, just as you saw above.
Using Safe Cleaners
Most homeowners just use the first floor cleaner that they find in the hardware store. This would be a mistake. You have to avoid absolutely all those that have an acid base, including natural options like vinegar. It is possible to choose out of so many cleaners. Many are actually created especially for the slate floors. These are the ones that you absolutely need to consider first.
The mild detergent that you use can be the one that you use to now wash clothes. It is actually an interesting idea since costs are lower. We should also add that you want to consider using the environmentally friendly cleaning products that are suitable for the slate floors. The water should not be a problem as with other floor types.
Always remember that proper maintenance and care are necessary for natural slate flooring. If you waste too much time the debris that accumulates can be pretty damaging. Only choose the right products and you should be fine.
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