Soapstone is a nonporous, metamorphic rock composed mainly of talc, magnesium, silicate and chlorate. It is one of the most stain-resistant and easy to maintain surfaces you can have in your home. Soapstone is so impervious to heat that is used to make pizza stones, oven interiors, cooking pots, and masonry heaters. The heat resistant qualities coupled with its stain resistant qualities make soapstone a highly desirable addition to any home.
Daily Cleaning
You Will Need:
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Bucket
- Dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
- Dry towel
The Cleaning Process:
- 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.
- Surface can either be allowed to air dry or can be wiped dry with a soft towel.
- 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.
Periodic Maintenance
You Will Need:
- Mineral oil
- Soft cloth
- Soft towel
The Cleaning Process:
- Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto your cloth.
- Rub the mineral oil onto the soapstone surface.
- After the oiling, you can wipe away the excess so that the surface will not feel slick. (The oil will not soak in—soapstone is impermeable)
- During the first year of using your soapstone surface, this should be done about every two weeks to help the stone oxidize (darken) evenly. Thereafter, it should be done about every two months.
Repairing Scratches
You Will Need:
- Fine sandpaper
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Soft cloth
- Mineral Oil
The Repairing Process:
- Soapstone is prone to scratches. If the surface of your soapstone gets scratched, gently go over the scratch with a piece of fine sandpaper, using a smooth, circular motion.
- Wet the sandpaper, and sand the scratch again, using a smooth, circular motion.
- Wet a sponge with warm water, and wipe away any residual dust.
- Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto a soft cloth and rub it into the area that was sanded to help restore its luster and natural dark color. The sanding will remove the mineral oil and make the color lighter, so you may need to apply the mineral oil several times to even out the color of the scratched and sanded area.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If your soapstone is new, you can expect that it will darken over time. This is a natural occurrence as the stone oxidizes and actually adds to the beauty of the surface. Most soapstone will darken to a charcoal gray, although some may remain lighter and retain a greenish hue.
- Unlike marble or granite, soapstone is not porous in nature (thus its natural stain resistance) and does not need to be sealed.
- To make oiling even easier, keep your oiled cloth in a ziplock baggie. Over time, the cloth will absorb the oil and will therefore spread more easily and evenly on the soapstone surface.
- Since soapstone is prone to scratches, it is not recommended that you use any type of abrasive cleanser or steel wool products on your soapstone surfaces.
