Stone countertops, flooring, or any other home upgrade is an investment. It’s only natural that you want to protect that investment so it can last for years and years to come. The good news is that soapstone is impressively durable, so it does not require a ton of care. If you want to keep your soapstone in good shape, it will need a bit of help here and there, though. With the proper care and maintenance, your soapstone can last for years and years. Let Dorado Soapstone show you how easy it is to care for your soapstone investment and ensure that it looks as beautiful as the day it was installed. Contact one of our three locations near you for maintenance assistance and keep reading to discover what you need to know about caring for soapstone, broken down by the different soapstone uses out there.
Kitchen Counters
Kitchen countertops are, arguably, the single most popular soapstone uses out there, so we’ll start by touching on the one most of you are concerned with. The good news is that soapstone kitchen counters do not need a whole lot of help to look great and hold up over time. You can place hot dishes directly onto soapstone counters without worry, and you can chop fruits and veg without wearing away at the counter’s surface like you might have seen on Formica counters — though, you might want to use a cutting board anyway, for the long-term health of your knives.
In terms of daily care, just use your counters as you normally would. Wipe off crumbs and spills, obviously, but do it for the sake of cleanliness, not necessarily for your counters! Soapstone kitchen counters are also non-porous, so they won’t absorb stains or odors, and they won’t need to be sealed like granite or marble. And the material is soft, so you can generally buff out any scratches with a little elbow grease, if necessary.
Over time, you may notice minor scuffs and dings on your soapstone counters, especially if you like to chop straight on the countertops without grabbing a cutting board. Any dings and scuffs can be buffed out with fine-grit sandpaper or with the gentle use of steel wool. However, this isn’t necessary for the care of your soapstone counters. Those scuffs and marks will eventually give your counters the patina that soapstone is known for, so you may just want to leave them alone! You can also oil your soapstone every once in a while. This will bring out a better depth of colors and patterns in your soapstone but, since it’s a non-porous stone, it will need to be re-oiled on occasion. But, again, this isn’t a necessary step, just one that boosts the visual appeal. Otherwise, that’s it. That’s all the care that your soapstone kitchen counters really need.
However, if you are more hyperattentive to the maintenance of your soapstone kitchen countertops, here are some additional tips from Dorado Soapstone to treat them with extra special care:
- Clean regularly with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner: To keep your soapstone kitchen countertops looking their best, it’s important to clean them regularly with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner.
- Seal the surface: To protect your soapstone kitchen countertops, it’s important to seal the surface with high-quality mineral oil. This will help protect the stone from staining and damage, and will also help to maintain its natural beauty. (Read this blog to learn more.)
- Avoid exposing the countertops to extreme temperatures: To protect your soapstone kitchen countertops, it’s important to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures. This can cause the stone to crack or chip, so it’s important to keep the countertop away from extreme heat or cold.
By following the simple steps outlined above, you can ensure that your soapstone kitchen countertops are kept in top condition without spending a lot of time and effort. Now all you have to do is enjoy your beautiful and timeless soapstone kitchen countertops!
Bathroom Counters
Caring for soapstone bathroom counters is going to be pretty similar to the above things we mentioned for kitchen counters. Of course, since these are counters in the bathroom, we understand that germs and bacteria are even more of a concern than in the kitchen. The good news is that, just like with the kitchen, the fact that soapstone is non-porous is a big benefit in terms of keeping things clean. It basically means that there are fewer places to harbor germs, and it is easier to clear all of that ick away.
The other important factor here is that soapstone is chemically inert, which basically means that it’s non-reactive to other solutions. In the kitchen, this is a great thing because it means soapstone is pretty much stain-proof. In the bathroom — and everywhere else, of course — the fact that soapstone is non-reactive means you don’t need to worry about which cleaners you use. Simply pick your preferred anti-bacterial cleaner and go to town. Household cleaners aren’t about to damage your soapstone counters.
Outside of cleaning concerns, you’ll care for soapstone bathroom counters the same way you would kitchen counters. You may need to buff out the occasional ding, and you may want to oil the surfaces, but those steps aren’t necessary. Just keep them clean for the sake of sanitation!
Soapstone Sinks
Surprise, surprise, soapstone sinks are going to be pretty similar to counters as far as care is concerned. Since they’re non-porous, you don’t need to worry about staining or funky smells soaking into the pores of a soapstone farmhouse sink. Nearly all gunk and grime will just rinse out. Likewise, standing water isn’t a problem, so don’t worry about the damage that might occur from load after soapy load of doing dishes in a soapstone sink. You can expect your soapstone sink to hold up well, even with a lot of use.
The one big difference between caring for a soapstone kitchen sink and a countertop is the question of oiling. Since it is not a necessary step, you don’t need to worry much at all. But if you do like the sheen you get from oiled soapstone, you may notice that you have to oil your sink more frequently than you would soapstone counters. This is because the warm water and degreasing soaps commonly used on dishes also break up the oil used to give your soapstone a good sheen. If you want to skip oiling your soapstone sink, go ahead; it won’t really make a difference. More often than not, your soapstone sink will darken up a bit just from age and use, so the oil isn’t necessary. But if you do like the way it looks, just be aware that you may need to oil your soapstone sink more often.
Soapstone sinks are the perfect addition to any kitchen or bathroom, and with their easy maintenance, they can last a lifetime. By following a few simple steps from Dorado Soapstone, your sink can stay beautiful and retain its natural shine and appearance for years to come.
Soapstone Flooring
Overall, caring for soapstone tile flooring is pretty similar to caring for countertops — just, with a few little differences. As we already mentioned, you don’t need to worry about reactions or staining, so choose your preferred household cleaner when it’s time to mop your soapstone floors. We recommend sweeping regularly, but that’s mostly so that there will be less grime to scuff up the tiles. Soapstone tile is still non-porous, so grime isn’t going to work its way into the stone and wear it down faster; it will just create the potential for a bit of scuffing.
The one big thing to note with cleaning soapstone floors is more of a safety concern than it is a recommendation for care. Since soapstone is non-porous, liquids won’t seep into the tiles. This is great when someone spills a glass of wine because the mess is easier to clean up. On the other hand, when it comes time to mop, you will want to be careful. Wring the mop out more thoroughly in order to prevent too much water from sitting on top of the stone. When wet, soapstone floors can be slick, so you’ll want to keep everyone off until they dry. Also, keep in mind that you will likely need to use less soap than on other types of flooring. Too much soap will leave a semi-opaque residue on the soapstone. If that happens, just go over everything with plain water to clear away the film.
In terms of oiling, this is again a question of choice. Just be careful that you do not use too much oil so that the floors do not get slick. Again, since soapstone isn’t porous, it will not soak up the extra oil. If you use too much oil and the tiles feel oily or slick, use a dry towel to wipe away the excess. It can be a good idea to oil your soapstone floors regularly, as it will help them oxidize more evenly. You can likely expect to oil them every couple of weeks for the first year or so, and then taper to oiling every couple of months.
At Dorado Soapstone, we understand that maintaining a beautiful soapstone floor can be a daunting task. That’s why we offer a variety of helpful maintenance tips and products to help keep your soapstone floor looking like new. We make it easy for you to care for your soapstone floor, so you can enjoy its unique beauty for years to come. With the right maintenance, you can have a stunning soapstone floor that will last for generations. Let Dorado Soapstone help you keep your soapstone floor in top condition.
Soapstone Fireplace Surround
Caring for a soapstone wood stove or fireplace surround is a bit more complex, just because of the soot and grime created by burning wood. The good news is that your soapstone fireplace is not going to cling interminably to the ash, so it can be pretty easy to clean. However, you will want to clean the area more frequently, just to prevent unsafe buildup. If you use your soapstone stove or fireplace regularly, expect to clean it at least once a week in order to get rid of the accumulating ash. You can start by going over everything with warm water and a small amount of soap to break up the grime, and then keep wiping until your cloth comes away clear. You will likely want to do one last once-over with plain, warm water just to wipe away any residual soap.
You will not want to oil or polish your soapstone fireplace or stove. These have the potential to be flammable, especially if too much of the substance is used, so it is safer to skip that step. The stone will get a lovely natural patina over time that provides a similar result. The other concern is what to do about any scuffs or dings. Especially since fireplace tools are hearty, they can cause scratches. If this happens, use fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool to gently buff the scratch out, and then wipe down everything with warm water to clean up the dust.
As you clean your soapstone fireplace, this is a good time to ensure that everything else is functioning properly. Check that doors still fit snugly, and that nothing is off balance or loose. You should also schedule an inspection by a professional chimney sweeper at least once a year, but that is the same level of care that you would give for any wood-burning stove or fireplace.
Find Your Ideal Soapstone
Soapstone is a wonderful choice of material to use for your home or office and has a range of hardness that makes it ideal for different uses. It can last for decades with hardly any maintenance, and its beauty cannot be denied. With the right care, your soapstone installation will remain in pristine condition and provide you with years of pleasure and satisfaction. Learn more about what soapstone can do, and find the right soapstone for you! Connect with Dorado Soapstone today to explore the many soapstone uses and get planning with the help of our experienced team! For more information on soapstone maintenance and installation, contact Dorado Soapstone and let our experts help you bring your dream project to life!
