Recently updated on October 25th, 2022 at 11:10 am
With the increasing popularity of granite and marble countertops, people choose slate countertops to give their kitchen or bathroom a new look. Not only does slate give a distinctive look, but also it is resistant to any other options. However, if it is not cleaned properly, you may etch its surface. Hence, you must know how to clean slate countertops to maintain their distinctive look.
In this post, find out how to clean and maintain your slate countertops:
How to clean slate countertops
Table of Contents
Slate countertops do not require much effort for cleaning. It can be done with ease if you know the right cleaning material. Here are a few ways on how to clean slate countertops.
1. Use ph-natural stone cleaners
Stones used in slate countertops are sensitive to chemicals. Therefore, avoid using harsh and acidic cleaners – they can scratch the surface of your countertop. Instead, stick only to ph-natural cleaners to clean your slate countertops.
2. Use a mild homemade solution.
For cleaning slate countertops, you can use homemade solutions. You only need two squirts of dish soap and then mix it with two cups of water in a spray bottle. The dish soap cuts through the grease without causing any damage to countertops.
3. Remove Stains Immediately
If any stain happens on your slate countertops, remove it instantly. The kitchen with a slate countertop has high chances of stains due to fruit juice, coffee, or other natural pigment substances. Clean such stances immediately to avoid permanent marks on your slate countertops. Also, do not chop vegetables directly on the slate.
Besides, a bathroom with a slate countertop risks stains due to makeup or facial creams. For this, you need to clean such stains with a natural stone cleaner. Oil stains do not come out instantly. Therefore, treat it with baking soda and acetone. This mixture should be left on the stain for about 24 hours. Then, wash off the mixture and reseal your slate countertop.
4. Avoid Scrubbing
When cleaning stains off the slate countertop, blot instead of scrubbing; as scrubbing can spread the stain further.
5. Wipe dry after cleaning
Once you clean the countertop with cleaner or water, dry them thoroughly with a dry cloth. It will ensure that the moisture does not damage or stain your slate countertop.
6. Avoid using homemade cleaners.
Regular homemade cleaners are not specifically designed to clean stones. It might be possible that it can dull the appearance of the slate countertop. Use a mild homemade solution instead of home cleaners.
7. Remove tough stains with a damp rag.
If the stains or spills on your slate countertop are stubborn, leave a damp rag on the stain for about 10 to 15 minutes and then clean them away.
How to Maintain your Slate Countertop
Slates are natural metamorphic rock and are one of the most beautiful natural stones. Being scratch and heat resistant, slate countertops also offer eco-friendly options for homes. In addition, when slate countertops are maintained properly, they can last a lifetime.
There are some measures you can take to maintain your slate countertop. For instance, cleaning spills instantly, applying teak oil, or sealing the stone every six months.
1. Regular Cleaning
Slate countertops need regular cleaning and maintenance. You can use Mild soaps and warm water to clean the countertops regularly. To clean the countertop’s surface from dust and other loose debris, you can use a microfiber cloth. However, a damp cloth with a mild cleaner is advisable as harsh cleaners can etch the countertop’s surface. Furthermore, avoid using products that include lemon and vinegar.
2. Protective Measures
Protecting your slate countertop is necessary to ensure that your countertop lasts a lifetime. Like any other natural stone, the slate must be protected from sealing every six months. In addition, since slate comprises a layered structure, it is most likely to be damaged by extreme heat.
To protect your countertop from extreme heat conditions, you can make sure that hot objects are not directly placed on the countertop—instead, place pans and hot pots on trivets to protect the slate. Or, if your slate countertop is placed in a bathroom, avoid placing hot hair styling items directly on the countertop’s surface. Instead, hang them on a hanging holder.
3. Keep them Dry
If your house has hard water, you must keep the slate countertops dry to avoid the build-up of hard water deposits. Such water deposits happen due to their high calcium carbonate content. In addition, the stains caused by hard water leave white stains that are difficult to remove from the dark texture of the slate countertops.
Therefore, maintain your slate countertop seal regularly and wipe away the water stain as soon as it happens. It will keep your countertop in good condition. If you have a highly polished countertop, the best way to protect them is to ensure no water is left on the surface.
4. Sealing The Countertop Surface
Even though slate countertops are resistant to stains and scratches, they require regular sealing to maintain their original look. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seal the slate countertop after installing it. The right time to reseal the countertop is when the water droplets on its surface fail to form droplets like they used to before.
5. Apply Slate or Teak Oil
After cleaning the slate countertop’s surface, apply slate or teak oil with a dry or soft cloth. Slate oil is expensive and is not easy to find. Therefore, use teak oil as it is available at reasonable prices.
Wrapping-Up
Now you know how to clean and maintain your slate countertops. So, clean them regularly, seal them every six months, dry them, handle kitchenware carefully or clean the spills immediately. Cleaning slate countertops is necessary to maintain their unique look. You just need to ensure that your slate countertops are protected from external damage.
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