How to Clean the Mortar Joints on a Slate Floor
Some stains can be quite a task to clean from mortar joints on a slate floor. Spills and drips accumulate in the mortar depressions between each tile and discolor the mortar. An oxygen ion that is free from its components in a compound is a stain remover. The ion attacks stain molecules and splits them in half, removing the stain altogether. Oxygen bleach powder has a free ion formula that mixes well with water and cleans all types of stains. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure 1 gallon of hot water into an empty gallon jug and and pour it into a bucket.
-
2
Measure 6 oz. of oxygen bleach powder in a measuring cup and pour into the hot water. Mix the powder with the hot water by stirring with a long handled spoon. Stir thoroughly until the powder dissolves completely.
-
-
3
Dip a mop into the solution and partially wring it out. Mop the slate floor while leaving an excess of the mixture in the mortar between each tile.
-
4
Let the solution soak into the grout for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the severity of stains in the mortar. Wring out the mop and mop up the excess solution.
-
5
Pour the mixture out of the mop bucket and refill the bucket with clean warm water. Mop the floor with the clean water to rinse the solution off the slate floor.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Using American-made oxygen bleach powder will ensure that the powder has a sufficient amount of oxygen ions. Some foreign-made oxygen bleach powders have less active ingredients and contain fillers in the package.
To clean small areas in this manner use the same solution and clean with a sponge by hand.
Do not confuse oxygen bleach powder with standard liquid bleach. Standard chlorine bleach will clean the grout but it will also whiten the grout and the tile. If the grout and slate tiles are not white to begin with, it will bleach them to a lighter color.
