Slate is a finely-grained metamorphic rock that is composed of mica, quartz, chlorite, and calcite. Slate tends to be an extremely durable and hard-wearing choice for flooring, which makes it a perfect candidate for anyone’s home. Many homes use slate in the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and patio areas. Even though slate is a strong stone, there are certain cleaning methods you need to be aware of. Slate can easily attract dirt buildup and potentially scratch. Depending upon the location of your slate floors, it may require more necessary everyday cleaning. A good tip is to keep a doormat before guests walk on your slate floors, so they can wipe there shoes off before they step onto the slate. Also, invest in a good quality dust mop, and one that is not oil-based. It’s probably only a good idea to vacuum slate flooring by using a soft brush attachment; you never want to use an upright vacuum directly on slate!

For regular everyday cleaning, first take a broom and sweep up any loose dirt particles. You can also use a Swiffer to attract any other stray dust particles. For mopping, mix 1 gallon of warm water with approximately ¼ capful of mild detergent (Clothing detergent or store-bought slate cleaner). Follow by dipping the mop in the bucket and wring the mop. Mop over the slate areas with even, slow strokes. Do not forget to rinse the mop out and go back over the floor if there too many suds. The slate floor should be allowed to air dry, and keep foot traffic off the newly cleaned area while it’s drying.

When using household cleaners on slate floors, never use any type of cleaner that is acid based. Since slate is very porous this can eat away at your floor, and in the long run, turn out to be very costly. You can find many store-bought cleaners that are specifically designed for cleaning slate. Many of the slate cleaners are also “rinse-free”, which saves you a lot of time, and does not leave a soapy residue behind.

The best protection for your slate floors is to apply a sealant, which can be purchased at any home improvement store. Make sure to thoroughly read the directions before applying the sealant. Generally you will apply 2-3 coats of sealant covering the slate, but allowing a set amount of time in between each coat (Stated on the instructions). Then allow the sealant to dry, and make sure no one steps over the floor until it’s completely dried.