Cleaning slate isn't too hard. It'due south vital, all the same,to know what kind of clay or contaminant you are trying to remove before you can brand a determination every bit to which cleaning product is best suitable.

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

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

And so, how do we go virtually cleaning our slate floor?

First, y'all need to check whether the contaminant is mineral based? due east.thou. grout staining, cement, rust or general dirt. If information technology is, you would be brash to use a mild acid cleaner such as i based on phosphoric acrid, for example, Grout Brume Plus . Beware though every bit any acid cleaner may etch the grout also.

In nigh other situations where you lot have, for example, general dirt and grime, wax, oil or a full general build-up of old polishes etc. I would recommend using a strong alkaline cleaner such as Xtreme Clean for periodic intensive cleaning. For everyday cleaning, I'd recommend using a mild, neutral cleaner.

Hither's an Expert's 6 – Step Guide to Cleaning Slate:

1. Ensure your slate is protected with a loftier-quality sealer: either an impregnating sealer such equally Seal Gilt+ which will give y'all a natural look with a mat terminate and beneath surface stain protection. Or, if you prefer the look of wet slate, in and then far every bit the darker colours, but still want a natural, mat, no-sheen terminate, then wait a good quality enhancing sealer such every bit Enhance 'N' Seal. Alternatively, yous can use a coating sealer for a pleasant low sheen gloss which really helps any ongoing cleaning.

ii. You must eliminate all grit – this is the major crusade of all wear to slate floors. Ideally, place a dust mat both within and outside the room which will assistance remove dust from shoes and prevent information technology from spreading to the slate floor.

3. Sweep and vacuum the slate flooring regularly. This will likewise help remove grit from the surface of the floor.

iv. Mop upwards and soak upwards isolated spillages every bit they happen. You shouldn't leave strong contaminants such every bit coffee or wine to dwell on a slate floor.

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

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

Update 22/01/13 – Check out this example study on cleaning slate

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