Soapstone
General Care Tips
The only maintenance required for soapstone is ongoing applications of mineral oil. Soapstone is non-porous, and unlike marble and granite does not need to be sealed. However, applying mineral oil to soapstone surfaces will not only enhance its overall appearance, but it will also encourage its natural darkening and ensure that the stone will darken evenly.
There is no preferred method of applying mineral oil to your soapstone countertop, nor can you oil it too often. Applying mineral oil too little or in excess will not damage the soapstone. But you can make oiling your countertops that much easier. You’ll find that if you store your oiling cloth between uses in a plastic sealable bag, it will readily absorb the mineral oil, allowing it to spread the oil evenly on your countertops. Always remember to remove all of the excess oil so that you can keep your countertops from feeling slick to the touch.
Once the last application has begun to fade away you should apply another coat. You’ll notice that when you oil your soapstone countertops for the first time the stone will become significantly darker. That’s to be expected. Typically, after the first application of mineral oil most soapstone will begin to lighten again. That is the point when you can re-apply mineral oil to your countertops.
It will take approximately three coats for your soapstone countertops to reach their ultimate color. After each application the countertops will retain the oil for a longer period of time. You’ll find that your soapstone countertops will remain permanently dark within six to eight months of mineral oil applications.
Cleaning your soapstone countertops is simple. As chemicals and acids will not cause any damage to soapstone, any common household cleaner can be used. However, using these types of cleaning products will have a tendency to remove the oil. Soap and water will do just fine, and it will not strip the mineral oil from your soapstone surfaces.
Although soapstone is a soft stone and therefore prone to scratches, unlike marble and granite, scratches can be easily removed with sanding and (or) another application of mineral oil. If you discover a deep scratch, you can use a small piece of 120 grit sandpaper, and in a circular motion sand away the scratch until it has almost disappeared. Then, with 220 grit sandpaper and water, sand the scratched area again and apply mineral oil to the area. With subsequent applications of mineral oil, the original color will return within a few days.
There is no preferred method of applying mineral oil to your soapstone countertop, nor can you oil it too often. Applying mineral oil too little or in excess will not damage the soapstone. But you can make oiling your countertops that much easier. You’ll find that if you store your oiling cloth between uses in a plastic sealable bag, it will readily absorb the mineral oil, allowing it to spread the oil evenly on your countertops. Always remember to remove all of the excess oil so that you can keep your countertops from feeling slick to the touch.
Once the last application has begun to fade away you should apply another coat. You’ll notice that when you oil your soapstone countertops for the first time the stone will become significantly darker. That’s to be expected. Typically, after the first application of mineral oil most soapstone will begin to lighten again. That is the point when you can re-apply mineral oil to your countertops.
It will take approximately three coats for your soapstone countertops to reach their ultimate color. After each application the countertops will retain the oil for a longer period of time. You’ll find that your soapstone countertops will remain permanently dark within six to eight months of mineral oil applications.
Cleaning your soapstone countertops is simple. As chemicals and acids will not cause any damage to soapstone, any common household cleaner can be used. However, using these types of cleaning products will have a tendency to remove the oil. Soap and water will do just fine, and it will not strip the mineral oil from your soapstone surfaces.
Although soapstone is a soft stone and therefore prone to scratches, unlike marble and granite, scratches can be easily removed with sanding and (or) another application of mineral oil. If you discover a deep scratch, you can use a small piece of 120 grit sandpaper, and in a circular motion sand away the scratch until it has almost disappeared. Then, with 220 grit sandpaper and water, sand the scratched area again and apply mineral oil to the area. With subsequent applications of mineral oil, the original color will return within a few days.
