If the surface of Soapstone picks up a stain or discolors, it is just on the surface and can be scrubbed or sanded off. Vinegar and other acidic materials may react with the mineral oil and discolor. Removal of oily stains is easily accomplished with StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover.
Oiling Soapstone Sinks
When the oil is applied, the sink looks great. But, with the use of dish detergents, often the oil is removed after a few washings.
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.
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 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.
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!
Any common household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone counter surfaces. Chemicals and acids do not harm it. However, we do recommend that you use regular soap and water because harsher solvents may remove the mineral oil treatment, therefore generating more maintenance.
"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.
Therefore, practically any household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone. Unlike most natural stones, soapstone is not damaged by ammonia.
Soapstone doesn't stain: Soapstone is non-porous, which means it won't stain and you don't have to worry about bacteria growing like you do with other countertop materials. It also doesn't react to acid, which often causes stains on other countertops.
While soapstone has that natural resistance to staining, there are still things you can do to help prevent any stains. For an extra layer of protection, most manufacturers recommend wiping down the countertop with a layer of oil as preventative maintenance against spills and stains.
Put a little household detergent onto the sandstone (being sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions in case you need to mix it with anything) and scrub with a hard bristled brush in a circular motion until you can no longer see the oil stain. To finish, you will need to carefully rinse the stone.
Dish soap can be applied to stains before you run the wash, to better prevent them from settling into the fabric. Handwashing small loads: Dawn® Platinum can help remove stubborn oil and food stains, making it an ideal option for handwashing small loads of laundry.
Oxidation is the process the soapstone undergoes as it darkens and often gets accelerated by contact with water and other surfaces. Soapstone is a nonporous, chemically inert substance, so oxidation doesn't damage the material, but mineral oil helps keep the counters beautiful throughout their lifespan.
Since soapstone is non-porous, it is easy to clean. However, you need to use mild soap and a soft sponge.
However with sticky oil residue just cleaning with washing soap or liquid and scrubbers may not work. Sometimes it work if the oil residue is very mild. However the use of white vinegar and a little patience plus some salt or baking soda and regular washing with washing soap will just do the trick.
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.
Unlike other kinds of stone, soapstone doesn't require any sealant, making it easier for you to walk on even while wet. However, it would be best if you considered installing a showerpan with soapstone tile layered on top instead of solid slabs of the stone for your shower area.
You do not have to commit to oiling soapstone the day it is installed. You can remove oil from the surface with rubbing alcohol or acetone if you have an accidental oil spill on an un-oiled counter without any negative effects.