Our kitchen floor is a nightmare. It consists of industrial quality slate tiles which are very difficult to clean - so we have tried applying a glaze. We have used patio glaze liquid but that peels withing 2 weeks.
Tried all the products from the local DIY store.
On spare tiles have tried sandpaper, power tools with wire brushes but to no avail. Petrol, black shoe plolish, paint remover, pressure washing and sand blasting are no way forward.
Any good ideas other than a new floor would be of help.Ta

Nyge, March 2011

DANGEROUS PROCEEDURE
I tried a concentrated solution of caustic soda on the floor but all it did was to remove the food dirt. It did however, burn a hole in the clothe, made the bucket and sink spotlessly clean, cleaned my hands but made my nails bleed - so goggles and rubber gloves are vital.
Then I tried a blow-lamp and wire brush - providing the amount of heat is judged correctly the floor came up wonderful - but I did find that on test tiles if excessive heat was applied the tiles exploded - so protective gear is needed.
Otherwise caustic soda is proving to be an excellent cleaner - even weeds don't like it!

Nyge, April 2011

Thank you for your answer - why didn't I think of that?
As you say it is nasty stuff and will dissolve skin and the protein in the eyes. Have read that some murder victims have been dissolved in caustic soda. I do know of one teacher who had to have a leg amputated after a spillage. So ... I guess your advice is excellent. Thank you

Nyge, March 2011

I use a solution of Caustic Soda to clean the chrome shelves of my cooker - it's very nasty stuff and can damage paintwork and any body parts it touches - it stings the hands and needs to be washed off immediately.

In your kitchen there will undoubtedly be spillages on the floor - splashes and drips of all sorts of stuff.

In your situation I might try a test area of Caustic Soda and a wire brush to remove any build up of dirt, fat and protective layers you may have applied. Let the solution of caustic soda do its work for an hour or so before scrubbing.

Long-term it may be wise to put no protective layer on the floor - dirt may get trodden into it - and to mop the floor on a daily basis to keep it clean.

I am not permitted to advise a new floor but Amtico is excellent.

Use google - select images - enter Amtico - be impressed.

Good luck...

Peccavi, March 2011