Slate Flooring Maintenance Care Tips
Do you have slate tile flooring in your home? These floors are resilient against normal wear and tear when you stay on top of your at-home and professional maintenance. The best thing you can do in order to preserve them is clean your slate floors regularly and to seal your slate floors at regular intervals. Listed below are slate flooring maintenance care tips to prevent staining and preserve your floors. Dust Mop the Floor Dust mop the entire floor with a high-quality, machine-washable dust mop. Start at one end of the floor and push the mop toward the other end, using the same motion for the entire floor. Do not move the mop back and forth because it will simply spread around the dirt and grit. Work in defined sections at a time, and sweep up the line of accumulated dirt and grit before moving on to the next section. Mop the Floor Damp-mop the floor with a high-quality washable mop and plain water. For occasional deep cleaning, you can also add a few drops of mild detergent, such as dish soap or fabric detergent for delicate fabrics (such as Woolite) to the wash water. Don’t allow large puddles of water to form, and don’t leave water on the surface. If you use detergent in the water, rinse the floor thoroughly with plain water. Let the floor dry completely before walking on it. Remove Stains Spot-treat stains with ordinary isopropyl rubbing alcohol and water. Mix 1/2 cup of alcohol with 1 quart of water. Dip a sponge into the solution and wipe at the stain. If necessary, scrub the stain with a towel or cloth. Alternatively, use a cleaning solution of a few drops of hydrogen peroxide mixed with a quart of water, applying it with a sponge and/or towel. Prepare to Seal the Floor Plan to seal the floor if it is unsealed or is ready for a fresh coat of sealant. If the floor has traces of an old sealant or it has been waxed, you may need to use a chemical stripper to thoroughly clean the surface. Wax can be removed with a wax stripper. Other types of sealers, such as acrylic or urethane coatings, may require strong solvent strippers, and you may want to leave this to a stone flooring or restoration professional. If you applied the original sealant (or you had a professional do it), […]
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