Soda crystals on slate floor

[Keefer]

Hi. Just wondered if anyone could help with this. I have a victorian slate floor in my kitchen that was getting pretty grubby. I'm trying to avoid using household chemicals so I cleaned it with a solution of soda crystals and hot water. When it dried it's left a white residue on the rougher parts of the stone and in the cracks and it looks terrible. I've rinsed it with warm water a couple of times to not much effect.

Have I completely ruined the slabs or is there something I can do?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[breezer]

its probably because the soda solution you used was too strong and you are seeing the residue.

you may want to try this in a test area, rub it with neat vinegar, it will fizz a bit, but it should remove the soda

 

[Moz]

breezer
white vinegar

 

[Keefer]

Thanks to you both. I only have malt vinegar so will buy some white tomorrow - that way my kitchen won't smell like a chip shop.