Sealing and Cleaning Slate Floor

by Roger
(USA)

QUESTION:

A silicon based impregnating sealer was used to sealing slate flooring in kitchen and bathroom. It is natural, earthy colors.

How and with what product would you recommend I clean the floor?

Also, would it hurt to use more sealant and would I have to use a silicon based impregnator?

ANSWER:

For cleaning I'd recommend SCP: Tile Floor Cleaner concentrate.

Like marble, slate tile can be sensitive to acidic foods and drinks and alkaline cleaning products. The etching left by acids leaves dull and/or light-colored marks on the stone. To avoid this you need to use pH neutral cleaning products.

SCP: Tile Floor Cleaner is formulated to be safe on slate floor tile and all stone floors.... it won't etch the surface.

Sealing again is fine if you think it needs it and it may since many slates are very porous and will stain easily.

In fact, some slates are so porous they are nearly impossible to seal effectively.

And you should use the same type of silicone-based sealer for a second coat. Sometimes you can get a bad reaction if you apply a different type of sealer over another when sealing slate or any stone.

Cheers,
Ryan