Stone and slate floors have always been good choices for flooring in both domestic and commercial environments due to a variety of colours, designs and ranking high in terms of cost durability. Professional installation is recommended as slate in particular can be difficult to cut (slate has a tendency to break during cutting) and the grout can be difficult to apply. If well installed however, you will have a floor that looks attractive and should last for years.

Stone and slate floors are notoriously difficult to keep clean however, and without regularly cleaning and maintenance, you will find yourself with a floor which has a dull, uneven and uninspiring appearance which will require professional cleaning to restore to its original state.

There are several maintenance tips which can aid with cleaning:

-Apply a good sealer. A sealer will make the surface, and especially the grout, less permeable and therefore less prone to staining. The more stain resistant a surface is, the easier it will be to clean. Avoid waxy sealers which will make the floor slippery and affect its appearance adversely.

-Sweep and mop regularly. Sweeping is vital to remove surface grit and dirt which can cause surface scratching and abrasions, usually brought in on the soles of shoes. Washing should be done with water and a mop, with possibly a little detergent added to the water, but nothing else. Some cleaning products can affect the grout and tiles and should be avoided.

-Place doormats at entrance points. The dirt and grit from the aforementioned point is introduced into the environment from shoes, and the simple step of placing doormats at entrance points should reduce this significantly, especially in commercial areas.

-Clean up spillages immediately. Slate and grout are particularly prone to staining, so any spillages should be cleaned up immediately to avoid this possibility.

The above tips need to be constantly carried out to aid cleaning efforts, as when a floor becomes stained you will find yourself needing to contact a company which specializes in cleaning stone floors. A company will have the advantage of modern technology and cleaning methods able to remove stains and restore the floor to its original appearance.

It is very likely that over time, simply through general wear from traffic, or furniture being removed, that you notice an uneven or dull appearance in you floor and such staining is inevitable over time. By the time a stain becomes noticeable it is probable that layers of bacteria will have built up to form a stain which general cleaning efforts cannot remove. It is also possible that the sealer will wear over time exposing the surface.

In either case, you would be well advised to contact a professional company which specializes in cleaning stone floors for advice on the best way to deal with the problem and which sealer to use.