How to Take Care of Slate Floor Tiles
- 1). Dust-mop your slate tile flooring every day with an untreated dust mop. Dirt, grit and other debris that are lurking on your floor can mar or scratch the surface. Run the mop only in one direction rather than moving it back and forth, which will just spread the grit around. Use a dustpan to scoop up the debris from the floor.
- 2). Damp-mop your floors weekly --- more, if needed. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Add a few drops of mild liquid soap such as Castile soap; don't use detergents on your slate flooring. Mix up the soap and water, and then dip a clean sponge mop into the bucket and wring it out well. Mop the slate tile flooring, overlapping your mop strokes to ensure no spot is missed. Rinse and wring out the mop often. Rinse the floor with a clean sponge mop or rags and clean water, and then go over it with dry rags.
- 3). Place rugs and mats at the entrances of the home where you have slate tile flooring. This will help to stop dirt and grit from getting tracked onto the floor. Ideally, place a mat on the outside and inside of the entrance. Shake out the mats daily. Don't use rugs or mats with jute or rubber backing. Make sure the floor is completely dry before putting the rugs or mats down.
- 4). Clean up spills or liquid from the flooring promptly. Use a soft rag to blot up the liquid. Leaving a spill unattended can cause a stain on the flooring.
- 5). Place felt pads under the legs and feet of furniture that is sitting on your slate flooring. This will help to protect the floor against damage from the heavy furniture. Don't slide furniture across a slate floor, or you risk scratching the surface.
