Cleaning a slate floor is relatively easy, especially if you take steps to keep the floor in good condition. The important thing to remember is that slate is very porous, even when a sealer is applied, which means that it can be stained by some cleaning fluids, and extremely alkaline solutions can sometimes cause cracks or pits in a slate floor. If you take good care of a slate floor, it should endure for many years of use.

Slate is a type of very fine grained metamorphic rock which naturally forms in layers. It is often streaked with bands of rich and interesting colors, making it an attractive material for flooring tile. Slate floors are typically installed over grout, with grout being run between the individual flooring tiles. At the time that a slate floor is installed, a commercial sealer should be applied, and this sealer should be periodically stripped and renewed to keep the floor in good shape.

When you clean a slate floor, you want to remove dirt and stains without damaging the tile or staining it. Start by establishing a few house rules, like not wearing shoes on your slate floor, which will help to reduce tracking. If you have slate flooring in the kitchen, use small throw rugs around the stove and the sink to catch spills before they hit the floor; likewise with a slate floor in the bathroom. These steps will make it much easier to clean a slate floor.

The first step is to remove dirt and dust. You should always sweep or vacuum a slate floor before cleaning it, and running a dust mop over the floor is highly recommended. If you clean a slate floor with these techniques at least once a week, you may find that more intensive mopping is not required as frequently. Take the time to move furniture when you clean a slate floor, as you want to keep the whole floor clean, not just the part you see. Consider putting felt pads on furniture with legs so that it will not scuff the floor.

If you need to mop, the best thing to use is plain hot water. Dip a clean mop into the hot water, squeeze it to get as much water out as possible, and then run it lightly over the floor, rinsing frequently. If the floor is very large, change the mop water partway through. If you have stubborn stains or the floor is in a high traffic area, add some vinegar to the mop water; this will also leave the floor with a nice, bright gleam. You can also use mild detergents, although be aware that you may have to clean a slate floor with a vinegar mopping after using a detergent to remove residue.