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.
We recommend oiling the countertops as soon as the previous coat of mineral oil has started fading. Once you oil the countertop for the first time you will see the stone will become much darker. A few days from the first oiling, most soapstone will lighten. You can re-treat your countertops every time this happens.
The stone will naturally darken unevenly, with time. It will appear more noticeably around the sink and countertop areas (those used more frequently). Leaving soapstone untreated, it will develop a rustic look which many clients prefer. The stone can always be oiled later on if the untreated results are not desirable.
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 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.
Stains are easily cleaned by scrubbing or even sanding the stains away. However soapstone is a very soft stone and is prone to scratches. Minor scratches are easily repaired with an FDA approved food grade mineral oil or enhancer.
Maintenance: Soapstone doesn't stain, although it will naturally darken with use. Since soapstone is inert and non-porous, it doesn't need to be sealed, although it's sometimes treated with mineral oil to achieve a dark, even appearance.
Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
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.
If moisture gets inside natural stone, it weakens the strength properties of almost all types of stone. If a stone gets wet unevenly, it can bend. Soapstone's high density prevents moisture and chemicals from entering the stone, and it is therefore not prone to the previously-mentioned problems.
Since the stone doesn't absorb the oil, over time it will evaporate and need replenishment. Now that you have brought out the character of your soapstone, it's ready to use.
Designer Anissa Zajac used Polycor's Alberene Dry Wax to help her soapstone countertops turn dark, and stay dark. (Polycor's Bedrock Blog:) Use mild dish soap and water to clean then apply the wax by rubbing it into the stone with a dry towel, or even your hands.
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.
Soapstone is a relatively soft material, and it will scratch. 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.
Because it requires no sealing, soapstone is relatively low-maintenance. With minimum care, your new countertop can retain its good looks for many years. Enhance your counter's natural darkening progression by applying mineral oil to the surface every week or two and rubbing it in thoroughly.
Soapstone countertops do not stain
Porosity is an important factor when choosing your countertop material. Imagine being worried every time some wine spills on the countertop. This is a non-issue with soapstone countertops on any liquids including acidic liquids such as vinegar and coffee.
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.
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.
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.
Soapstone is functional, durable and beautiful. Even after 100 years of hard use, soapstone can be refinished to a looks-like-it-was-just-installed state.
Natural soapstone colors come in a selection of hues. Typically, the color options range from a palette gray, green, black, or blue-ish gray. Additionally, there some options may have swirls of quartz and white.
Soapstone is typically gray, bluish, green, or brown in color, often variegated. Its name is derived from its "soapy" feel and softness. The name "soapstone" is often used in other ways. Miners and drillers use the name for any soft rock that is soapy or slippery to the touch.
SOAPSTone (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone) is an acronym for a series of questions that students must first ask themselves, and then answer, as they begin to plan their compositions.