Cleaning Unsealed Slate Tile Floors

Slate is a durable stone but it can be porous depending on the quality.

Cleaning unsealed slate tile floors.

While slate floors are attractive they benefit from regular upkeep. Teak oil is reasonably priced and available at most large. It s also very soft and can easily be chipped and eroded by acids and hard scrub brushes. Stains can seep down into the pores.

Mop your slate tile floor with a gentle cleanser. It s pretty and stands up to abuse but over the years it has gotten very grungy. When uneven pressure is applied to slate it can still split or fracture into unintended fragments or small sheets. Rinse with clean water and either let it air dry or use a soft cloth.

Slate is porous and absorbs stains. Thus floor tiles can over time become uneven and rough in texture due to the foot traffic and other weight applied to it from furniture. Unsealed slate tile flooring can be a beautiful floor choice but it also can become damaged and show wear and tear. These small particles can act like grits of sandpaper wearing down the protective sealer and making tiny scratches in the tiles every time the floor is walked on.

Step 1 put your chosen cleaning solution into a spray bottle. Have you tried a steam mop on your slate floors. These ingredients can cause etching. Cleaning restoring 18 year old unsealed slate floor hi when my house was built the builder used unsealed large slate tile in the foyer.

Follow the steps above for regular cleaning but once the surface is dry apply a thin layer of teak oil to the slate with a soft cloth. Wash the slate tiles as needed with either a stone cleaner or a mild detergent with a neutral ph. You can clean slate floors regularly with a dust mop a broom and a damp mop. By deep cleaning every two or three months you can keep your slate floors looking new.

Stay clear of acidic cleaners and consider sealing your floors for extra protection and peace of mind. Since unsealed slate tile can chip or stain easily it s important that you clean it using proper care and cleaning products. You can use a cleaning product specifically made to wash natural stone or any other cleaning solution that does not contain lemon or vinegar preferably one that is ph neutral. Do not use cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar.

By attacking stains immediately and cleaning with soft mops you can keep your slate floor vibrant for longer. Unsealed floors can become marked and scratched from loose grit or from foot traffic.