To care for soapstone, we recommend applying dry-wax, mineral or baby oil to the surface of your soapstone 24 hours after it is installed. We do not automatically apply anything because all the silicone and caulks used during installation need to cure for 24 hours after installation.
Soapstone Care & Maintenance. If you want to make your soapstone countertop or sink darker, you can simply apply some mineral oil. Periodic application of mineral oil will help it develop a dark patina and enhance the natural aging process of your soapstone.
Another popular alternative to mineral oil is this combination of beeswax and linseed oil. It also provides improvement to the colors of your soapstone countertops. Unlike mineral oils, with one application, you move faster towards that dark improved color. All you need to do is apply it using a cloth.
Soapstone is impermeable to heat, acid, and other alkalis and harsh chemicals as an inert material. You can use virtually any soapstone cleaner to care for this beautiful, indelicate product. Still, we recommend avoiding harsh cleaners that could exacerbate skin and sinus irritations in your guests.
No, you do not have to coat your soapstone with oil. The oils in your hands and food stuffs you prepare will oil your counter overtime and darken it naturally. This is called taking on a patina. You can remove the oil from your soapstone if you choose to.
Soapstone surfaces need not be sealed, but we recommend treatment with mineral oil if consistent surface darkening is desired. Without treatment, soapstone will darken in uneven regions around surface areas most frequently used. Leaving the soapstone untreated will develop a patina of age that many people enjoy.
With soapstone, if water droplets leave a dark spot, re-oil. Wax, on the other hand, is known for giving your soapstone an even richer, deeper color. The deep, charcoal gray created by these special waxes is breathtaking. Some homeowners claim the soapstone countertops treated with wax feel smoother to the touch.
This explains why soapstone is non-porous and therefore does not absorb any liquid, but it is darkened by mineral oil as it adsorbs it on its surface.
"It is a softer material, so it does scratch easier," Carbia says. Homes with children who drop things, or homeowners who prefer cutting straight on the countertop as opposed to using a cutting board, might damage soapstone.
Mineral Oil and Soapstone
To help expedite oxidation of the stone, we recommend that you treat it with mineral oil from time to time.
If you're still on the fence, castor, olive, and coconut oil have large molecules and naturally occlusive properties similar to mineral oil—without being petrolatum derivatives. For acne-prone skin, grapeseed and avocado oil are noncomedogenic options that shouldn't clog pores or result in breakouts.
The application of mineral oil is the most commonly mentioned method of restoring the look of soapstone counters. Mineral oil works to quicken the natural darkening process of soapstone and leaves off a soapy residue (that's why it's called soapstone!).
Therefore, practically any household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone. Unlike most natural stones, soapstone is not damaged by ammonia.
Polishing Soapstone with oil
Using a soft cloth, wipe on a light coat of boiled linseed oil. Tung oil or Danish oil can also be used.
Here's a list of items to avoid when cleaning with vinegar, as well as details on what kinds of cleaners you can use instead! Granite, marble, and soapstone countertops. Acids don't mix with natural stones like granite, marble and soapstone. It can cause pitting and make them lose their shine.
Soapstone is often used as an alternative natural stone countertop instead of granite or marble. In laboratories it is unaffected by acids and alkalis. In kitchens it is not stained or altered by tomatoes, wine, vinegar, grape juice, and other common food items. Soapstone is unaffected by heat.
Yes, you can put a hot pan on soapstone. It's always advisable to use a hot pad, but placing a hot pan directly on soapstone is unlikely to crack it.
If you don't have a coating on your natural stone surfaces but are still worried about disinfecting, regular Clorox Wipes can be used to give your counters a wipe down in a pinch, but don't let them sit directly on the stone!
If you leave it untreated, in time, the soapstone will darken around the surface areas most frequently used, particularly in a kitchen or food service environment. Leaving the soapstone untreated will develop a veneer of aging that many of our customers appreciate.
In the meantime, we've had our Mariana Reserve soapstone for 3 months. After enjoying a few weeks of the lovely un-oiled look, we figured out our daily habits required that we oil the stone. We have used both mineral oil alone, and the combo beeswax/mineral oil. We've oiled an average of 2-3 times per month.
Simply applying a thin coating of food-grade mineral oil to the stone on a regular basis will maintain its sheen and cover up any imperfections.
Adding beeswax to the mineral oil increases the staying power of the treatment by providing a stronger seal and a longer-lasting, subtle shine. This treatment will also help to lessen the time that new soapstone takes to darken to its aged glory.