best way to clean a (uneven) slate floor. Steam cleaner perhaps? anybody got a better idea.

[theshrimp]

We have got a light grey slate floor in the kitchen. I was told to keep it clean with just washing up liquid. This works well if I get down on my hands and knees and scrub it then rinse it but this takes me a couple of hours.
AND, I've developed "housemaid's Knee"
I am thinking of buying a steam cleaner. Is this a good idea or a waste of time? The main problem is the dirt gets trapped in the uneven ridges of the slate and looks horrible!

No advice I'm afraid but you have helped me rule out one option for flooring when I get my kitchen done!

Don't go there with light coloured slate. I thought it would be easier than quarry tiles which I had before... but it's a nightmare!!

no experience of steamers but I have kneepads from B&Q for gardening - also v handy for doing floors. About £5 but you can get posh ones too.

wish someone would come up with an easy solution - we have a black slate floor which just looks dirty no matter what i do - tried the dettol direct floor cleaner then used a bristle brush but even that doesnt have too much impact - i would never have one again!

wish someone would come up with an easy solution - we have a black slate floor which just looks dirty no matter what i do - tried the dettol direct floor cleaner then used a bristle brush but even that doesnt have too much impact - i would never have one again!

I use a special cleaner that I got from Fired Earth. No rinsing necessary.

cleaning lady i am with you there, i am demented by mine
got some HG hagesan products to clean, they work but it needs re sealing now, to bring back the shine / wet look.

thats a pain in the neck job but it owuld work.

special cleaner cleans and seals..

hermykne- i've done the same as you. Used the special HG cleaner but then had to reseal.

New kid- what's the Fired Earth cleaner called and does it take off the seal?

my slate floor doesn't really show the dirt (it's kinda dirt coloured) so I v rarely clean it . I sweep it though.

That's not actually a good tip is it? Just slatternly behaviour.

Message withdrawn

Slate - tis a hateful material.
HG stuff is good, but a PITA to apply and rinse off, and it needs doing at least once a year (stripping seal and resealing)
Never again.
Ceramic tiles or lino next time!

Message withdrawn

I mean posh lino, lol marmoleum is it called??

I think i'd go for that posh lino next time.
i've got a friend who's kitchen floor is marmoleum and it always looks Ok despite her infrequent cleaning.
mine always looks horrid so i can't be bothered to clean it