Use Tile Doctor Pro-Clean Tile & Grout cleaner to effectively clean tiles, highly effective against Wax Sealers, Grease, Grime and general dirt build up. Tile Doctor has agents throughout the UK who can offer to mill your Slate and take up to 80% of the roughness away leaving it akin to a smoother flatter finish with some texture which will be much easier to maintain.
To remove any excess sealer before cleaning use Tile Doctor Remove & Go Sealer remover which can be applied using a deck/scrubbing brush you may find using a buffing machine on a heavily riven Slate ineffective due to the heavy texture as the machine will miss where it dips, so hand held cleaning may be the only option open to a non professional tile cleaner. Slate Stone Tile Maintenance ROUGH/RIVEN SLATE TILES Picture shows how cleaning and sealing has brought out the colour and beauty of this rough Slate floor. These days Slate comes from all over the world including Africa, Brazil and China to name but a few countries interestingly one of the most expensive Slates comes from the Burlington quarries in Cumbria due to its quality and texture which is actually sold in large quantities to China (akin to shipping coals to Newcastle). The semi riven tile is particularly easier to maintain compared to the rough textured slate commonly available due to its cheaper quarrying cost. With regular care and maintenance you can keep your slate tiles looking new and inviting for years to come.Slate is a very popular floor and wall tile due to its low porosity there are many varieties and textures of Slate available as such Tile Doctor has spent many years researching the best cleaning and sealing methods and products. To keep it looking beautiful use a stone-and-tile sealer, available at most hardware stores. Slate is a porous material, so it easily absorbs odors and dirt. It is important to clean your slate tile regularly, every few months, to prevent dirt and grime build-up. Apply this to the stain an let it set for at least five minutes. Mix the two together to make a thick and bubbly paste. If this option doesn’t work, tougher stains can be tackled with a paste of peroxide and baking soda. Let sit for five minutes then gently scrub with a soft bristled brush.īe careful if you have colored grout, as this option may discolor the grout. Mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray onto the stains. When the surface is dry, apply a thin layer of teak oil on a soft towel. Soak a soft towel in the soapy water and gently rub off dirt and grime.ĭry with a towel and/or let the surface of the slate air dry overnight.įollow the steps above for regular cleaning. Mix several cups of warm water with a few drops of mild dish detergent.
Sweep, dust or dry mop the surface to remove any large, loose dirt. When cleaning slate always start with a milder solution first to reduce the chance of damaging the surface of the stone. Acidic and alkaline cleaners can leave etch marks on the stone, particularly polished slate. Since slate is a natural stone certain materials may mar the surface.
In order to keep this material looking its best it is important to know how to clean slate tile floors properly. From bathrooms to kitchens, entryways to fireplaces, slate floors can make a home feeling earthy, warm and inviting. It is a flaky yet tough stone that splits easily into layers that make tiles. Slate is a metamorphic rock composed of compressed mud. Slate has become a very popular material in home-building used in flooring, countertops, backsplashes, fireplaces and wall.