How to Clean Slate Countertops

If you're re-doing your kitchen and aren't sure what type of countertop to have installed, you might want to consider slate. Slate countertops are becoming more popular for a variety of reasons, for everything from ease of installation to simple maintenance. You can clean slate countertops easily, so you can spend more time in the kitchen cooking rather than cleaning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Dust your slate countertops once or twice weekly. Use a soft, microfiber cloth or chamois. Add a small amount of a pH-neutral stone cleaner if desired, which can be purchased from a stone supplier.

2. Wipe slate countertops as needed with a soft, damp cloth or sponge dipped in warm water. Slate is very resistant to stains and should only need to be wiped down about once per week.

3. Apply mineral oil to slate countertops immediately after installation to keep them clean and protected. Regular applications of mineral oil should be needed only when the finish has dulled.

4. Remove small scratches by using a fine sandpaper and wiping with a damp cloth. As slate can be scratched easily, this may need to be done often to keep unsightly scratches from accumulating.

Tips & Warnings

• Use any non-abrasive household cleaner to clean slate countertops.
• Place a hotplate down when setting hot dishes or pots on slate countertops, even though slate is highly resistant to heat.
• Reseal slate countertops when water no longer beads on the surface.
• Do not use abrasives to clean slate countertops, as slate is susceptible to scratching.
• Do not use oily or dusting sprays to clean slate countertops.