There’s nothing better than eating delicious cheese off a beautiful slate board, but the thought of cleanup after is enough to keep the board tucked away in storage. The oil and other residues from the cheese can leave the board stained and difficult to deal with.
But no need to worry, we’re here to help.
We found the best way to clean a slate cheese board is to:
- Hand wash with a soapy sponge
- Rinse with warm water
- Dry the board with a separate cloth or towel
- Use mineral oil to maintain a polished look
Continue reading below for more slate cheese board care.
4 Steps for Cleaning a Slate Cheese Board
Follow the steps below to learn how to clean a slate cheese board.
Hand Wash with a Soapy Sponge
Start by running the slate cheese board under warm water and gently scrubbing it with a soapy sponge. Pour a dish soap like Dawn directly on any tough oil spots and continue to thoroughly scrub the area with the sponge.
Rinse with Warm Water
Run the slate cheese board under warm water to get all the soap and remaining residue off the board. Don’t use water that is too hot or too cold as this could potentially damage the surface of your slate board.
If you don’t trust yourself not to drop the board while holding it under the sink, take a separate sponge or cloth, get it wet and wipe away all the soapy areas of the board. This will take a little more time, but it will help guarantee your board stays safe from any unnecessary chipping if it’s dropped in the sink.
Dry the Board with a Separate Cloth or Towel
Take a dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth or towel and thoroughly dry the slate cheese board. Remove any excess water stains for proper storage.
Use Mineral Oil to Maintain a Polished Look
In order to maintain a pristine and polished look, use a high-quality food-grade mineral oil on any scratches or other blemishes on your cheeseboard. This will also help protect the overall integrity of the slate material as well.
Repeat if Necessary
If you find your slate board is still not clean or has oil stains, repeat the three steps above as needed.
Slate Cheese Board Still Not Clean?
If your slate cheese board is still not clean after performing the above steps, you might want to try something a little extra.
A few suggestions include:
- Mix 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water and rub the specific area with a microfiber cloth or towel.
- Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle a little baking soda on top. Rub the lemon with the baking soda against the stained areas to create a paste-like substance to help remove the oil.
We do not recommend using any chemical products to clean your slate cheese board. These can easily damage both the materials used to protect the slate and the actual stone itself.
Can You Put Slate in the Dishwasher?
We don’t recommend putting your slate cheese board in the dishwasher. You could risk scratching or damaging the surface. Additionally, if your slate board has any type of backing, like cork feet, you’ll only want to hand wash as it most likely isn’t dishwasher safe.
Proper Slate Cheese Board Care
One of the reasons to use a slate cheese board is for the aesthetics, so it’s important to clean it the right way to ensure its beautiful look and appeal for a long time. Start by hand washing it with a soapy sponge, scrubbing any areas with excess oil or residue. Rinse the slate cheese board under warm water or use a separate wet sponge to wipe away any soapy areas. Thoroughly dry the board and apply mineral oil to any scratched areas to help keep your slate cheese board looking as new as ever.
