Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a bucket (or sink full) of warm water, working it until suds form. Wet your sponge or cloth with the soapy water and wipe the soapstone surface thoroughly. Rinse out your sponge or cloth with plain water and wipe away any sudsy residue from the soapstone surface.
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.
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.
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.
Soapstone is non-porous and, unlike marble and granite, does not need to be sealed. You can purchase our special formulated Soapstone Care Mineral Oil from our online store.
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.
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.
Walnut oil is one of these. 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.
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!
Cleaning Your Soapstone
Mix just a few drops of mild detergent with water in a small dish. Dip the soft cloth in the mixture and rub it over the surface of your carving. Rinse the cloth out so it is free from detergent, and clean off the entire statue to get rid of residue. Let your carving air dry.
Removing Rust Stains from Stone:
You should also avoid using vinegar, lemon juice and other home remedies and these are acidic too. Acidic products can easily damage the sheen and outer coating of your natural stone, making them look dull. Also, avoid using steel scrubbers as these can cause abrasion.
Fresh lemon juice and white vinegar can both remove rust stains. For either vinegar or lemon juice, pour or squeeze it directly over the stained area and let it sit for approximately five minutes. Before the liquid dries, scrub the area with a nylon bristled brush and then rinse with water.
At such pH levels, baking soda can be described as being caustic, which means it isn't safe to use on natural stone.
Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
If you constantly find yourself placing hot materials on kitchen countertops, then a soapstone countertop is ideal for your space. Soapstone countertops are heat resistant. As such, you do not need to worry about discolorations or damage from heat. This makes soapstone countertops ideal in most kitchens.
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.
We recommend using a mild dish detergent and water. If stronger cleaning agents are used, the surface mineral oil treatment may be affected and need reapplied for consistency. Even if powerful industrial cleaners are used, soapstone is chemically inert and will not be harmed.
Fortunately, it's easy to disguise any small scratches which appear on the surface, and to preserve the luster of soapstone. 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.
The porous nature of soapstone makes it ideal for dyeing and staining, because it is porous and absorbs paints easily. In addition to gold and silver, marble, limestone, and gemstones might also be painted.
After the scratch has been sanded out, apply a light coat of the mineral oil or soapstone enhancer to the sanded area. The mineral oil application should be repeated 2-3 times over a 2-3 day period until the sanded area matches the coloration of the rest of the stone.
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.