Stone flags

[h2v9]

We have moved into a house with a basement which has stone slabs on the floor. These are beautiful but need a good clean as the previous owners of the house appear to have used the basement as a workshop - some of the flags have oil on them. Can anyone give me advice on cleaning them - I am happy to get on my hands and knees to scrub them but am not sure what would be best to put in the water.

[pederosa]

Sprinkle washing powder on the oil, let it soak in and then aggitate with a wet, stiff broom. If that doesn't work, buy some driveway cleaner from somewhere like Halfords. But beware, it stinks!

[smudge]

If the slabs were outside, I would have suggested buying/hiring a pressure washer. Our patio comes up a treat using our one. But if it's indoors, it's not advisable as the overspray from it would make all the walls wet.  

[2nd row]

  stone type flags/ slate type flags, much sought after, and worth money... so do not remove, and throw out.. as for cleaning, perhaps the oil stains may have penetrated deep, but go to your local builders merchants, there are so many products for sale that will do the job, ( remembering to follow the instructions, seeing that they are ' inside ' your home )... once brought back to their original state/colour, i would then ' seal them ',,, ask at  buil/merch's.....do not use parafine/petrol etc.... lot of elbow grease ! but worth it.

[2nd row]

 back again, apart from advice given already, and not knowing the 'flag ' area covered, or what they are laid on, or perhaps into ?,,, or what is between each flag ? another way  is to ( if possible ) lift one up, without chipping any of it edges, look at its underneath, can the flags be overturned and relaid ? altho' with older types. the best looking side was always ' on top ' still hard work lifting etc etc, but can save you cash, and any smells , if you can do it this way,,,,, hot soapy water, elbow grease.... remembering to ' seal them afterwards '