The natural beauty of slate makes it a great choice for fireplace hearths. But, as with any natural stone, slate does require a bit of care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. This maintenance is well worth the effort though, as with proper care your slate hearth can last for decades.
Basic Cleaning for Slate Hearths
Slate is relatively easy to care for compared to other natural stones. For basic, regular cleaning the slate can be washed down with soapy water. You should avoid using harsh chemicals as these will damage the surface of the stone. As it is a porous stone, it soaks up liquid and so the wrong cleaning product can stain or damage the stone.
First, start by removing ash or debris build-up with a sweeping brush or a hoover.
Then, once you have removed all dirt, grease or ash, wash the slate with clean water and a clean cloth to remove the soap residue.
How Often Should You Clean Your Slate Hearth?
Preventative cleaning is the best option.
Weekly cleaning will help avoid the build-up of any excess ash, soot, or other residues. So, we recommend cleaning with warm soapy water once a week.
That being said, in summer you will be using your fireplace less often, so you might be able to stretch the time between cleans a little longer.
Deep Cleaning
If you want to deep clean your heart you can buy specialist slate cleaning products. However, do be aware that even though these products are designed for use on slate they can still alter the colour of the stone.
When you deep clean make sure you sweep/hoover first. It’s also a good idea to do a soapy water clean a few days before you do a deep clean.
Do Slate Hearths Need to be Sealed?
Usually, the slate doesn’t need to be sealed. But if it is used in a high-traffic area you might want to seal it to keep it looking its best.
If you want to seal your slate hearth you should use a proprietary sealer on the surface of the slate, to keep it looking good as new.
To seal your slate hearth, polish the sealer to remove any excess chemicals to give it a nice sheen finish. If you see that there are still some scratches you can polish these with very fine wire wool, followed by another coat of sealer.
How Often Does Slate Need to Be Sealed?
Slate only needs to be sealed about once a year. With slate hearths, you might find that frequency is even lower, as they do not get a lot of foot traffic.
Looking for a Slate Hearth?
Our slate hearths are timeless and versatile additions to your home. Whether you want something sleek and modern or more traditional, our hearths are the perfect finishing touch for your fireplace.
