How to Clean Slate Tile

Slate tile has been used in homes and buildings for thousands of years.  Every month we sell more slate tile than any other product in our catalog.  Slate tile has become very popular for kitchen flooring and backsplashes, bathroom flooring and showers, patios, fireplaces and more.  With the widening usage of this product comes the constant questions about how to clean slate tile from our customers.  Below I've outlined a number of helpful tips that will help keep your slate tile looking clean for years to come.

Before I get into the "how to" list I want to make sure you always take the most important step in keep your slate products clean... SEAL IT!  Wether you use a sealer with color enhancer product or just a standard sealer without color enhancing, this is the most important step in the process.  I've blogged about this next hint before, but it can't hurt to mention it again...  SEAL YOUR SLATE BEFORE & AFTER YOU GROUT.  This helps eliminate grout haze after the initial installation and makes future cleanings that much easier down the road.

Materials you'll need:
1 mop bucket
1-2 mops (preferably cotton rope) OR 2 clean cotton towels (preferably white or another light color)
Warm Water
Natural Stone Cleaner OR Dishwashing Soap
Vaccum (hand held dust buster)
Soft Bristled Broom

1. Remove all dirt and debris from the area to be cleaned.  I recommend using an easy to manuver vaccum after you've taken the time to sweep the area diligently with a soft bristled broom.
2. Mop or towel clean the slate tile with a warm water.  Make sure to keep your water warm and clean as you mop or towel each area. 
3. Apply your chosen natural stone cleaner (a prescribed on the bottle) OR dishwashing soap (1 cap for every 2 quarts of warm water) to the slate with a clean cotton rop mop or towel.  Scrub each area evenly making sure to rinse the mop or towel as necessary to avoid smears and smudges.
4. Pay more attention to higher traffic and dirtier areas to ensure an even cleanliness.  Make sure you mop or towel is as clean as possible to avoid carrying dirt from one area to the next.
5. Dry the slate tile completely before concluding your cleaning project. Do NOT allow the slate to air dry as that can cause the tile to reabsorb any dirt that was trapped in the cleaning solution or water.

NOTE:

• A sealed slate tile floor will be easier to clean and maintain, but spills need to be cleaned up immediately to avoid long term damage of your slate flooring.
• Uncolored grout can stain very easily.  Use this helpful tip ONLY IF YOU HAVE AN UNCOLORED GROUT.  A home-based cleaning option for cleaning uncolored grout stains is to use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water and apply (spray bottle works best) the mixture straight on the stained area.  Let it soak for 10-15 minutes then dab it dry and repeat as required.
• DO NOT use acid based cleaners.  They will damage the sealers or wax finishes that are already in place on your slate.  Only use cleaners with a neutral pH balance.

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Ryan LeCluyse
360FLOORING.com
1-866-592-8169
ryan@360flooring.com