Caring for
Your Soapstone Countertop
Homeowners are generally surprised how easy it is to
care for their Maine Soapstone countertops. There are just a
few things you should know.
Mineral Oil
In order to achieve a rich, dark color most homeowners
prefer to oil their countertops - but keeping the stone
un-oiled is also an option. Mineral oil acts as a color
enhancer and protects from uneven weathering. Countertops
are exposed to oil in the kitchen everyday and an un-oiled
countertop can develop dark spots when it comes in contact
with these kitchen oils. Pre-treating your countertop with
Mineral Oil diminishes this effect.
Our Mineral Oil is specially made and mixed
to achieve a unique viscosity specially suited to seasoning
soapstone. The oil we provide is easier to apply and of
higher quality than mineral oil you might typically find in
a drug store.
Mineral oil treatments change the color of
soapstone, but the change is not permanent. Soapstone is
non-porous. After application most of the oil evaporates
leaving behind just a thin layer on the stone surface. To
achieve the desired color you should apply mineral oil a few
times a week over the course of one week to one month
depending on the type of stone and the humidity in the
home. The thin layers slowly build to change the color.
The process is similar to seasoning a cast iron frying pan.
Soapstone slab treated with mineral oil (left) and
natural (right).
If the stone is too dark or oil is spilled
and darkens and area, this color change can be reversed.
Remember the oil is never absorbed into the stone! By
applying household rubbing alcohol to oiled soapstone you
can remove all oil residue and start from scratch.
Scratches
Soapstone is softer than granite
or marble and therefore is more susceptible to scuffs and
scratches than these harder stones. But there is good
news! While a scratch on a granite countertop is permanent,
a scratch on a soapstone countertop is easily removed using
steel wool or sandpaper.
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