6 Effective Methods for Cleaning Rough Slate Floor Tiles

Slate tiles are the aesthetic choice for floors. They offer natural and rustic charm, along with luxury. But they require special care to retain their beauty and charm. Cleaning rough slate tiles can be a mess if you don’t use the right methods. 

So, for proper cleaning of your floor’s slate tiles, we are suggesting 6 effective cleaning methods. They are-

1. Regular sweeping and vacuuming
2. Using PH-neutral mild detergent for regular cleaning
3. Using specialised cleaner for stubborn stains
4. Deep cleaning with natural solutions
5. Cleaning slate grout line
6. Steam cleaning

In this guide, we will share 6 effective cleaning methods to clean your slate tiles. These will help you to keep your tiles pristine, without causing any damage. 

6 Effective Methods for Cleaning Rough Slate Floor

Slate tiles absorb dirt, stains, and moisture easily. Because it is a porous natural stone. That’s why you must ensure regular cleaning to keep up its integrity. It is one of the crucial parts of your house cleaning. 

Erosion, corrosion, and discolouration of the stone might result from improper cleaning methods. To clean and ensure the safety of your slate tiles, we share 6 effective methods. 

Method 1: Regular Sweeping or Vacuuming

Regularly sweeping or vacuuming slate floors is the easiest method to keep them good. Rough slate is prone to grit and grime. These can cause scratches if left unattended.

You need to use these house cleaning tools: A soft-bristle broom and a vacuum cleaner for this cleaning method.

How to Use the Method:

• First, carefully sweep the entire surface with the bristle broom. Pay attention, particularly, to the high-traffic areas.
• After sweeping, start vacuuming the floor. Use a soft brush attachment when vacuuming to prevent scratching the surface. Do it gently, particularly in places where the slate is uneven.

This method works best depending on how frequently the floor is used. This is a very basic and regular method of cleaning. We suggest you use this method daily or weekly.

If there is heavy traffic in your slate tiles area, using this method daily is recommended. If the traffic is moderate to low, use this method once a week. 

Regularly cleaning dirt will stop it from getting trapped in the grooves and grout lines. This will prevent your slate tiles from wearing down.

Method 2: Use a PH-Neutral Liquid Detergent Soap for Regular Cleaning

Our second method is using a pH-neutral regular liquid detergent/dish soap. pH-neutral cleaners are those that have a pure pH level of 6.5 to 7.5. This is alkaline and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. 

How to Use the Method

• Dilute the soap with warm water. Mix 1 cup liquid detergent with half a bucket of warm water.
• Apply the solution with a microfibre mop or a soft-bristle brush. Rub and brush the entire floor so that you cover every corner of the floor. 

These tools are ideal. They are gentle on the slate’s surface. They also lift dirt effectively.

Rinsing & Drying Thoroughly

To get rid of any residue, thoroughly rinse the floor with clean water after cleaning. Keep water off the floor for extended periods of time. Because slate is porous, moisture can seep in and cause stains. 

Wipe the floor down with a dry mop or towel to ensure it is fully dry to the touch. This routine will preserve the slate’s lustre. It won’t harm its structure. 

We suggest applying this method when there is a lot of dirt on your floor. Alternatively, use this fortnightly as a routine cleaning. 

Method 3: Removing Tough Stains With Specialised Slate Cleaners

If you encounter stubborn stains and don’t respond to regular soap, you need to use a specialised slate floor cleaner. The specialised slate floor tile cleaners are designed to remove stubborn stains from slate tiles. These eco-friendly slate cleaning solutions don’t damage the floor.

Like regular detergent, choose pH-neutral cleaner. You will find pH-neutral floor cleaners from different brands on the market.

How to Use the Method:

• Mix the cleaner with water. It is normally recommended to mix 1 part cleaner with 20 parts water.
• Before applying the solution to the entire floor, spot-test a small part to see if the solution damages it. If it’s okay, proceed to the next step.
• Now, apply the solution on the floor and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Use a microfibre mop for slate floors or a soft bristle brush to clean the floor. Rub and brush the floor properly.
• After cleaning, rinse the floor and let it dry. You can use a dry microfibre mop to wipe off the water. The ceiling fan would also work fine. 

Method 4: Deep Cleaning Slate Tiles With Home-Made Cleaning Solutions

If you don’t want to use commercial solutions, you can use DIY natural cleaning products. These products are effective and aren’t harsh on slate stones. For this, we suggest baking soda, which is a non-acidic element. 

How to Use the Method

• Mix water and baking soda to form a paste.
• Apply it to areas that require additional care or that are discoloured.
• To help the dirt come loose, let the paste rest for a few minutes.
• Next, use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub.

Stains that haven’t seeped too deeply into the stone can be effectively removed using this technique.

Afterwards, carefully rinse the floor and let it dry to avoid any water absorbing into it.

To keep the floor clean without a full scrub, spot clean high-traffic areas.

To spot clean,

• Simply apply the paste only on the stained areas.
• Then, scrub the areas with a soft microfibre mop or soft bristle brush.
• After cleaning, take another clean mop, wet it, wring off the water and wipe off the paste in the scrubbed areas. 

Method 5: Cleaning Slate Grout Lines

The grout between the slate tiles is the place that is frequently disregarded. Because grout is porous, it can get dirty and discoloured over time. This stale the slate floor’s overall appearance.

Maintaining a glossy and well-maintained floor requires regular grout line cleaning.

How to Clean Grout:

• Use a mild cleaner that is appropriate for stone surfaces. You can also use the same baking soda mixture solution we discussed earlier.
• Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush for scrubbing.
• To get rid of any filth or grime, use the cleaner along the grout lines and scrub very softly yet thoroughly.
• After scrubbing properly, use a microfibre mop to wipe off the solution from the grout lines.

Method 6: Cleaning Textured Stone Tiles With Steam

Deeply rooted dirt can be effectively removed by steam cleaning. This is especially true for rough or textured slate. Steam cleaning helps remove dirt and grime that normal mopping would miss by entering the slate’s cracks and crevices.

Steps for Steam Cleaning

• To protect the stone, use a steam cleaning on a low to medium setting. 
• Make sure you cover every area of the floor by moving the cleaner in portions. 

Dry Thoroughly: 

It’s important to let the floor air dry thoroughly after steam cleaning. Any remaining moisture has the potential to penetrate into the stone and result in mildew or discolouration. 

This method mostly works for occasional deep cleaning. Steam cleaning is a fantastic alternative because it’s mild but efficient. It’s also a good option for those looking for a chemical-free cleaning solution.

Maintenance Tips for Slate Floor Longevity

Once you have cleaned your slate floor tiles, you should take proper steps to maintain them. Proper maintenance will ensure they will stay in pristine condition. 

Sealing Grout Lines

After cleaning, seal the grout lines to prevent further dirt buildup. Grout sealant can be applied to grout lines using a roller or sponge brush. An applicator wand for grout sealer is another option. 

This creates a sealer trail in the grout lines and prevents the sealer from getting on the tile. Sealing the grout will extend the slate’s life by preventing dirt from accumulating between the cracks. It also makes it easier to clean later.

Sealing Slate Floors for Long-Term Protection

One of the best ways to keep your slate flooring free of stains, grime, and moisture is to seal them.  Because slate is porous, sealing helps to fill in tiny gaps on the surface. 

This makes the stone less likely to absorb liquids and dirt. Here, we are talking about sealing the entire slate floor, not the tile grout lines.

Applying Sealer:

After cleaning the slate floor tiles, follow the sealing steps below.

• Select a sealant: Choose a sealer appropriate for your slate tiles. Consider using a deep-penetrating porous stone sealer on soft slates.
• Apply now: Evenly apply the sealant over the whole surface. You may use a brush or a spray.
• Let it sit: Give the sealant ten to fifteen minutes to settle.
• Apply more coats: Depending on the slate’s porosity, apply more coats for protection if required.
• Dry: Give the sealant a full night to dry. 

Preventing Slate Floor Damage With Regular Maintenance

You can take the following slate floor maintenance steps to prevent damage to your slate floor tiles. 

• Use doormats. Doormats will catch the dirt and grime before entering your slate tile floors. 
• Use pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches on tile stones. 
• Always use eco-friendly cleaning solutions to protect your slate tiles from wear and damage. Never use vinegar and acid-based cleaners. These will damage your tiles. 

Final Thoughts

Cleaning rough slate floor tiles will be efficient if you follow effective methods. You can do all these cleaning methods yourself. If you are not confident enough to clean your luxurious slate floor tiles, we are here to help you. 

At Eco Cleaning Brisbane, we have been providing cleaning services for over 20 years. We are experts in cleaning your properties. If you need to clean your slate floor tiles, contact us today, and be relaxed. We will handle the rest.