How to Clean a Slate Fireplace Hearth

Slate hearths can make a big statement in your living room or bedroom. These stone accents are long-lasting and attractive, and keeping them looking beautiful is relatively simple. You can easily maintain your slate hearth with some common household items.

1. Create a cleaning solution of 1 teaspoonful of dish detergent and 4 cups of water. This will create a mild cleanser used for prepping your slate fireplace hearth.


2. Dip a cloth into the cleanser and squeeze most of the excess water out. Wipe down the entire slate hearth area to remove surface dust and dirt. Scrub the slate well to remove surface debris.


3. Allow the hearth to air dry for several hours or overnight. It must dry completely before continuing with the cleaning process.


4. Use a cleanser specially formulated for slate or stone use. Common household cleaners with the ingredient trisodium phosphate can also serve as a safe alternative to slate cleaners.


5. Wipe down the hearth with a clean wet towel to remove any leftover residue from the dish soap and slate cleanser. Residue can leave unsightly stains on your hearth, so make sure you wipe it thoroughly.


6. Allow the hearth to air dry again for several hours.


7. Use a cloth or brush to apply a thin layer of sealant or oil to the hearth. Mineral oil and teak oil both work well on slate surfaces.


8. Use a microfiber cloth to soak up excessive oil and polish your hearth.


9. Repeat this process as necessary to maintain a beautiful-looking slate hearth.