Avoid using vinegar, citrus, or harsh chemical cleaners on soapstone. Cleaning products containing strong acids are a particularly big no-no. These can actually eat away at the soft stone over time, robbing it of its luster and leaving it vulnerable to serious damage like etching, pitting, or breaking.
Soapstone can't be damaged by any cleaners so don't worry. You can really use whatever you want. However, any cleaning solution which degreases will also remove some of the oil so the area may fade more quickly and require more frequent oiling.
Pour mineral oil onto a clean cloth, and rub the cloth over the soapstone surface. Make sure the surface is covered with a thin layer of mineral oil, and let it seep into the surface. Repeat this process every eight weeks to prevent new stains from showing up.
Because of the awesome fact that soapstone does not stain, you can leave the soapstone bare and let it patina over time. If at any time you do not like the natural darkening caused by the patina (which is created by the natural oils in your hands and foods), just wipe your counters down with soapy sponge or acetone.
Believe it or not, bleach will not harm it either. However, Bleach is not needed, since the soapstone's natural high density will not harbor bacteria of any kind. Simple soapstone and water or vinegar and water. Will work wonderfully well and clean any surface bacteria just as well as bleach or harsh cleaners.
It definitely does not stain. Soapstone is non porous. It is also inert. Consider: there is a reason that soapstone is often used as counters for science labs!
Once your soapstone countertop is installed, follow these simple care tips and maintenance instructions: Vacuum the countertop to remove any dust or dirt. Clean the countertop with a clean cloth and denatured alcohol. Once the alcohol dries apply mineral oil to the countertop with a soft cloth.
While many homeowners choose to oil soapstone to enhance its natural color and movement, this is not necessary. In fact, many people prefer the look of untreated soapstone.
Despite increased popularity, it does not optimize the look and feel of soapstone, and it's allergenic. Additionally, do not use the common household olive oils: they will go rancid and start to smell.
If you prefer, you can use a general all-purpose cleaner (such as 409® or Fantastik) on your soapstone. Soapstone is impervious to chemicals, so those types of cleaners will not harm it.
Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
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. Many customers choose to leave the stone untreated.
The grey look:
The grey look is achieved by applying and scrubbing your surfaces with a more aggressive cleaner. A good example of this is Simple Green. Anytime oils are spilled, dropped or splattered on a soapstone surface you can strip them off with a degreaser which will help maintain a greyer look.
Darkening With Oil or Wax
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 is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.
Without oiling, the wear on the stone will be uneven, and the stone will darken more quickly in the areas that get the most wear. This stone is ever evolving, so if you want your countertops to always be a uniform color, soapstone is not the material for you.
And when it begins to show wear, scratches may easily be disguised with an application of mineral oil. While soapstone requires no sealer like marble or granite do, a light coating of mineral oil will help to blend the scratch or scrape, and make the natural darkening happen more evenly.
Oil and grease can discolor new soapstone, so wipe up spills promptly and, if necessary, rub a bit of acetone (nail polish remover will suffice) on an oil stain to lighten it. Once your countertop reaches its full patina, oil discoloration won't be a problem.
To remove excess mineral oil from soapstone, you could use denatured alcohol or acetone, but the preferred choice would be to only apply a limited amount of mineral oil, as needed.
When you've got a brand new soapstone countertop, it's worth rubbing it down a day after installation. Before doing so, allow your counter to settle for a day so the silicon can set and dry. After that, you should plan to oil your stone once every month or when your counters start to get too light.
Linseed oil and beeswax will also enhance the deep rich colour of the soapstone countertop. Just allow it to set for a few hours and then wipe it dry. Most of the time you only need to do one application, but if you notice any areas begin to lighten again, there's no harm in applying it a second time.
Our new soapstone treatment is the best way to beautifully age your new soapstone. This treatment is a 100% food-safe blend of beeswax and mineral oil. Many new soapstone owners treat their stone with mineral oil alone, which provides a moderate seal.