"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.
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.
Soapstone is primarily composed of the mineral talc, the softest mineral there is. The talc content of a given slab of soapstone dictates just how easily it can be scratched during everyday use.
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.
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.
Therefore, practically any household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone. Unlike most natural stones, soapstone is not damaged by ammonia.
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!
You should apply it with a clean cloth, then wipe the excess away—it's that simple. Although soapstone is naturally nonporous, it will benefit from a beautifying sealer like SimpleCoat to make the colors pop and protect it from staining. Water, oil and greasy substances can cause it to become discolored and stained.
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!).
Real soapstone is inert to acids, chemicals, and heat, which means that soapstone will not stain, burn, or be harmed by acids. These properties make it very useful for a wide variety of applications, such as residential and commercial kitchen countertops, sinks, and floor tiles.
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.
Soapstone is non-porous and, unlike marble and granite, does not need to be sealed. You can purchase our specially formulated Soapstone Care Mineral Oil from our online store. This is a lighter-grade mineral oil, which is easier to apply than standard drugstore mineral oil.
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.
Soapstone is used because it's heat resistant and needs little maintenance.
Soapstone is dense, without pores, does not stain, and repels water.
While it may appear soft, soapstone countertops do not crack easily. This is however a problem when it comes to scratches. The softness makes it easily susceptible to scratches but protects it from cracking.
Mineral Oil and Soapstone
To help expedite oxidation of the stone, we recommend that you treat it with mineral oil from time to time.
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.
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.
After that, you should plan to oil your stone once every month or when your counters start to get too light. If your sink happens to lighten up quicker than the rest of your countertops, we recommend our mineral oil and bee's wax combination. It may take a bit more elbow grease, but it's sure to last longer.
The application of oil or wax isn't a must to protect the soapstone from stains and it isn't something that it has to have in order to protect it. You will hear Scott say this as his recommendation: Apply mineral oil to your coutertops twice a week for one month and then decide what you want to do from there.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
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.
Soapstone is chemically inert, meaning it will not react to any chemicals or other substances on your countertops, i.e. acids just as lemon juice, wine, etc. This also means that you can use a harsher anti-bacterial treatment such as Lysol or bleach and it will have no negative reaction.