Natural slate is a rewarding material: sturdy, millions of years old and genuinely low-maintenance. Still, there are a few small things that keep your laser-engraved slate plate looking its best, with the pale engraving standing out as brightly as on day one. Here it is, step by step, with no chemistry kit required.
A slate plate is, at heart, a piece of honest stone. It likes things simple and needs no expensive special products. The steps below run from everyday quick care to the little refresh that brings the slate back to a rich, deep black. Take what you need.
For daily life, very little is needed. Wipe the plate dry or lightly damp with a soft cloth, such as a microfibre or cotton cloth. Dust, fingerprints and light marks are gone in seconds. Important: no scouring powder, no scratchy side of the sponge and no harsh chemicals. Natural slate has a fine, grown surface that sharp cleaners do not need and that they will dull over time.
If the plate does get properly dirty, say after a gathering or when it has stood as decor for a long while, you can do a little more. Use lukewarm water and, if needed, a drop of mild dish soap. Wipe with the soft cloth, rinse off any soap residue with clean water and, this is the key part, dry the slate well afterwards. Natural stone does not like standing moisture. A dry cloth at the end, and the plate is ready again.
This is the little trick many people do not know. Apply a very thin layer of care oil or a neutral cooking oil, for example with a soft cloth or kitchen paper. The oil deepens the black of the slate, the fine textures come out and the pale laser engraving stands out even more clearly. Less is more: simply buff away any excess until nothing rubs off. Depending on use, doing this every few months is plenty. Afterwards the plate looks fresh from the workshop.
Slate works especially well as decor. For standing it up, a small easel or plate stand is ideal, so the plate sits securely and slightly angled. To hang it on the wall, use a suitable holder or mount depending on the format; make sure the weight of the stone is safely carried. A spot without constant direct moisture is best.
In principle yes, slate is a natural stone and knows weather. In a sheltered spot, such as under an overhang, a covered terrace or in an entryway, it will feel at home. What you should avoid is constant rain and hard frost: when water seeps into fine pores and freezes, it can wear on any natural stone over time. So for winter, bring a purely decorative plate somewhere dry.
Here you can relax completely. The motifs are laser-engraved, meaning burned into the surface of the stone with heat, not printed on and not stuck on. This engraving does not fade, it does not wash off and it lasts as long as the stone itself. That is exactly why slate is such a rewarding carrier for runes, gods and Norse motifs: once it is burned in, it stays.
If you display your slate plate as an eye-catcher, give it the thin oil treatment once a quarter. A few drops of neutral oil, worked in with the cloth and buffed off, and the slate looks deep black again while the engraving stands out silvery and bright. It takes less than two minutes and makes the biggest visual difference.
Yes, in a sheltered spot. Under an overhang or on a covered terrace, slate holds up easily. Just avoid constant rain and severe frost, so no water freezes inside fine pores. For winter, bring a purely decorative plate indoors.
A thin film of neutral care oil or cooking oil is enough, applied with a soft cloth. Buff away the excess until nothing rubs off. This deepens the black and makes the pale engraving shine. Repeat every few months, depending on how often the plate is in use.
No. The engraving is burned into the stone with the laser, not printed on. It does not wash off and does not fade, neither from cleaning nor from sunlight. It lasts as long as the slate itself.
Slate is traditionally popular for serving, for example cheese, bread or a small starter. Clean the plate thoroughly with lukewarm water beforehand and dry it; for oiling then use a neutral cooking oil. If you want to use it both as a decorative piece and at the table, feel free to talk to us about a custom engraving, and we will advise you on the right use.
You will find more laser-engraved motifs on natural slate in our slate plates. And if you want to bring your very own idea, a name or a crest into stone, the custom engraving is your path. Skaal, and much joy with your piece of the North.
Slate, Wood or Glass? · Viking gifts for men · Runes & their meaning · Thor's Hammer.