Distinguished for its smoothness, durability and natural hues, slate enhances a home's beauty and resale value. Slate tiling is prevalent on kitchen floors, countertops and walls due to its water and bacteria resistance. Since slate is porous, unsealed tiles in kitchens are prone to grease stains from greasy foods. Tiles located near stoves and deep-fat fryers are especially susceptible to grease penetration. Grease permeates unsealed slate and mars the stone with dark, oily blotches. Promptly take grease out of slate using basic solutions.

  • Distinguished for its smoothness, durability and natural hues, slate enhances a home's beauty and resale value.
  • Since slate is porous, unsealed tiles in kitchens are prone to grease stains from greasy foods.

Sweep slate floor tiles with a broom to eliminate any dirt or food debris.

Mix an alkaline liquid detergent with hot water in a bucket. Use the specific ratio of detergent to water as instructed on the detergent bottle's label.

Dip a clean mop in the alkaline solution. Mop the alkaline solution liberally over the greasy slate tiles. Leave the alkaline solution on the slate for 20 minutes to emulsify the grease.

  • Mix an alkaline liquid detergent with hot water in a bucket.
  • Dip a clean mop in the alkaline solution.

Agitate the wet slate tiles with a soft scrub pad. Keep the alkaline solution on the tiles while scrubbing them. Scrub the slate until all grease is emulsified and removed.

Mop the slate tiles with clean water until the alkaline solution is completely rinsed off.

Dry the slate tiles with clean paper towels.

Wipe slate wall or countertops with paper towels to brush off loose grime.

Combine an alkaline liquid detergent with hot water in a bucket. Use the ratio of detergent to water as advised on the detergent bottle's label.

Dip a clean cloth in the alkaline solution. Wipe the cloth and alkaline solution liberally over the greasy slate tiles. Leave the alkaline solution on the slate for 20 minutes to emulsify the grease.

  • Mop the slate tiles with clean water until the alkaline solution is completely rinsed off.
  • Dip a clean cloth in the alkaline solution.

Agitate the wet slate tiles with a soft scrub pad. Leave the alkaline solution on the tiles while scrubbing them. Scrub the slate until all grease is emulsified and removed.

Drench another cloth in clean water. Wipe the freshly washed slate with the drenched cloth until the alkaline solution is completely rinsed off.

Dry the slate tiles with clean paper towels.

TIP

Substitute a soft scrub brush for the scrub pad.

WARNING

Abrasive scrub pads and brushes can scratch slate tiles. Acidic-based cleaning products can potentially damage slate tiles.