Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
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.
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.
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.
Soapstone Countertop Care
Enhance your counter's natural darkening progression by applying mineral oil to the surface every week or two and rubbing it in thoroughly. The mineral oil treatment will make the patina more uniform. It usually takes seven to nine months for the countertop to reach its full patina.
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.
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.
First Oiling
With a few clean, dry rags at the ready, simply pour the mineral oil directly from the bottle onto the surface of the soapstone, rubbing it on to the entire surface with one of the rags (a small paint brush can be handy for corners). Once you've covered the stone with oil, let it sit for a half hour or so.
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.
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. Do not apply heavy coats or the oil will become gummy and hard to polish. Wipe off the excess oil and allow drying.
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!
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.
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.
Break the loose piece of soapstone into fine chips and mix with the epoxy. Fill the gap in the soapstone with the mixture and allow to dry as per the manufacturer's instructions. (If the chip appears on the corner or edge of the soapstone, use masking tape to create a mold to hold the epoxy mixture in place.)
Alberene Soapstone wax can be applied as frequently as needed depending on the shade of black that you desire. Zajac suggests applying the wax weekly in the beginning to make the soapstone darken faster than normal.
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.
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.
A matt one can be achieved by rubbing emery, sandstone or pumice over the surface of the stone, usually with water to help lubricate the process. Finer levels of polish can then be achieved by using finer substances, like sand and burnt and crushed animal bones mixed with water into a paste.
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.