How to care for Slate

When it comes to how often you should clean your slate hearth, it does depend on how often you use your fire. Someone who lights their fire every day will have to clean their hearth more often than someone who only lights their fire occasionally. It is also worth noting that due to the reduced use of a fire in the summer you will not need to clean your hearth nearly as often as in the winter.

Quick Cleaning

One of the simplest ways of caring for slate is a quick sweep or hoover, it also makes it easier on you as it prevents potentially damaging build ups on dirt. 

Quick cleaning methods:

  • ·Dust slate with a non-abrasive cloth:

This can be done dry or wet.

If using a wet cloth, dampen with water, and gently wipe. Pat slate dry with a non-abrasive cloth/towel. 

  • Sweep with a soft brush.
  • Hoover using brush adapter.

Thorough Cleaning

A weekly clean is one of the best forms of preventative maintenance because it helps protect against build ups of dust, ash and other residues. For this reason, we advise that you clean your slate hearth with a very dilute solution of warm, soapy water once a week. 

You will need;

  • A soft brush.
  • A dustpan.
  • A bucket.
  • A mild washing up liquid.
  • A non-abrasive cloth.
  • A dry towel/cloth. 

Our recommended a thorough cleaning routine is as follows;

  • Sweep hearth with a soft brush to remove any dust or debris.
  • Fill a mop bucket with hot water and a few drops of a very mild washing up liquid. 
  • Wipe down hearth with a non-abrasive cloth. Do not be afraid to scrub hard, this is fine so long as the cloth is non-abrasive. 
  • Empty & rinse bucket before refilling with clean water (No soap this time).
  • Wipe down hearth with clean water, ensuring no soapy residue is left behind. 
  • Gently wipe/pat down hearth with a dry cloth. Try and get the slate as dry as possible.
  • Leave to dry overnight. 

Like in all our cleaning advice, the  regularity in which you do a thorough clean is dependant on how often you use your fire. During the winter period if you use your fire:

  • ·       Once or twice a week – We advise cleaning with soapy water every two weeks to 4 weeks dependant on build up.
  • ·       Three to seven days a week – We advise cleaning with soap and water once a week.

We do advise cleaning with soapy water once every month or so during the summer period even while the fire is out of use, to avoid any stubborn marks and stains forming. 

  If you feel it needs cleaning more often, then do not hesitate to do so.

Tips and tricks for common stains and marks (and how to avoid them). 

Liquid Spillages 
This is the most common cause of markings on slate hearths. If you spill water, a drink etc. clean it up as soon as possible. slate is porous so any liquid spillages can soak in and cause staining. To clean liquid spillages, follow the same cleaning instructions as you would for a weekly clean using a very dilute solution of warm, soapy water.
 

Food Spillages
If food gets spilt on your slate, clean it off as soon as possible. Due to slate being porous any oils in your food can soak into the stone. When food is spilt, follow the same instructions and the weekly clean. 

Watermarks
Watermarks are also a common occurrence, vases, glasses and mugs often leave this mark behind. To clean watermarks away, follow the weekly cleaning instructions, using very dilute, warm, soapy water solution.

 

If markings persist after repeated use of a very dilute solution of warm soapy water, then a deep clean will be needed. 

 

 

The best ways to avoid these marks is to;

  • Avoid placing anything containing a liquid on slate, however, we understand that this is not always avoidable or preferable. Therefore, you can also place non-combustible coasters (ceramic, stone etc.) or protective coverings under anything that contains a liquid (e.g. Vases, mugs, glasses etc.).
  • Avoid eating near slate.
  • We strongly advise not placing ashtrays or cigarettes near slate as it can cause brown scarring to the stone that is incredibly hard to remove.
  • Avoid standing logs and coal directly onto limestone, if you are using a coal hod/scuttle, we advise placing a non-combustible covering beneath it. 
  • Avoid standing candles directly on slate. 

 Deep Cleaning 

You can purchase specialist cleaners designed specifically for cleaning the slate. When purchasing, it is best to check that the cleaner can be used on slate hearths. Please be aware that some specialist slate cleaners can alter the natural state of the stone, such as changing the colour. So please take this into consideration before using a specialist cleaner. 

When you deep clean, ensure you sweep your hearth to remove any debris. We do recommend having done a clean with hot soapy water (weekly cleaning advise) a couple of days before deep cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using a specialist slate cleaner. 

 

If you light your fire daily in the winter, we advise a deep clean once a month. If you only light the occasional fire (once or twice a week) then you can stretch this to once every three months, so long as you sweep and clean with dilute, warm, soapy water regularly. 

Sealing

You can apply slate oil to your hearth, which will provide resistance to water, spillages and staining. However slate oils and sealants can change the natural effect of slate, such as darkening it in colour. 
When using slate oil or sealant on a slate hearth:

  • Ensure hearth is clean, we recommend a deep clean before sealing any natural stone.
  • Once hearth is completely dry, use a purpose made granite sealant and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

WARNINGS

  • Do not use acidic cleaners such as bleach on the slate as it can cause irreparable damage.
  • Do not use sharp objects or abrasive materials whilst cleaning slate, this can cause irreparable damage and scratches.
  • Sealing and deep cleaning can change the natural effect of the slate, such as colour or pattern.
  • If stains & markings persist after wet cleaning, please contact the showroom and we will advise how to proceed. Do not apply a sealant as this can seal the stain into the stone.
  • Due to slate being porous liquid spillages can soak in and stain slate, all liquid should be cleaned off as soon as possible to avoid this. 
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