Slate floors look great in any house. But, natural slate tiles are fragile and have to be taken care of carefully if you want to make them last. Like other stone tiles, it is essential to handle slate in a methodical manner. Otherwise, you might end up damaging the surface, detracting from its value and appearance.
Commercial Floor Care Tips for Slate
Buy a good dust mop
A dust mop offers the best defense against dust particles that infiltrate the pores and cracks of the slate, leading to possible peeling. Use a dust mop on the slate regularly, for best possible results.
Use rugs
Rugs can hide the beauty of a floor, but can also prolong the floor’s life. If slate tiles are used in an area with high foot traffic, it is best to place rugs. Rugs can lock in debris and dirt coming indoors through feet. This dust might seem harmless, but it has the ability to damage the slate.
Never use a vacuum cleaner
Commercial floor care experts advice to never use vacuum on a slate except if you’re using the brush attachment. Vacuum cleaners, mainly those that have beater brushes, can harm the slate tile by scratching it or chipping it.
Clean properly
Applying cleaners with acid base on a slate can damage it completely. There are numerous cleaners specifically made for such surfaces to choose from, a lot of which are “rinse free” and consequently will not leave a dry residue. Many companies also make Eco friendly laundry detergents that work well on slate floors. In addition, when it comes to cleaning slate floors regularly, commercial floor care professionals suggest using normal warm water.
Even with daily maintenance, stains can still transpire, particularly in the grouted area of the slate surface. Grout is very porous in nature and can easily soak up spills that lead to staining. For that matter, to avoid any harm, all spills must be wiped up instantly with a soft cloth or paper towel. Once you get rid of the stain, you will have to reseal it to stop permanent damage in the future.
