How to Care For Soapstone Countertops
Now that you have finished your kitchen remodel and have the soapstone kitchen countertops of your dreams, now comes the thought of having to clean and care for them. Unfortunately, finding valuable tips and tricks to take good care of your soapstone and prolong its lifespan can be difficult if you don’t know who to ask.
Bucks County Soapstone understands the importance of maintaining our countertops as a top-rated installer of natural stone countertops. While our soapstone countertops have a reputation for being durable, proper care is still necessary to preserve their beauty and function for years to come. Check out this video on a few things every new soapstone countertop owner needs to know and keep reading for more information about proper maintenance.
Daily Cleaning
The easiest way to start caring for and maintaining your soapstone countertop is to develop a daily cleaning routine. Since the kitchen is one of the most highly trafficked areas in your home, creating a set routine to keep your soapstone countertop in good condition can significantly prolong its longevity.
Soapstone is nonporous, which means it is bacteria-resistant and won’t stain. Also, since it’s chemically neutral, acidic substances like lemon juice won’t leave blemishes. It’s also heat-resistant, which means hot cookware won’t scorch it.
Cleaning your soapstone countertop is a breeze! Use a sponge dipped in soapy water. If you see blemishes, you can remove them with a coat of mineral oil.
Applying Mineral Oil
For the first few months, you should use a clean rag to apply a coat of mineral oil to your countertop about once a week. Once it’s evenly coated, you can wipe the excess oil off with another clean rag or paper towel.
Mineral oil can be found in any hardware store or pharmacy, although we recommend this mineral oil. It’s a thinner oil than the ones you would find at hardware stores and doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind. How frequently you apply mineral oil depends on how dark you want the stone to be! Oil helps the soapstone to oxidize, which leads to a rich charcoal color.
Daily Use Goes A Long Way
Using mineral oil on your soapstone countertops can help establish that rich charcoal color that homeowners love about soapstone, but how often should you apply oil? The answer to this question surprisingly rests with how often you use your countertops.
Soapstone is a material that loves to be used. The more often you spend prepping, cooking, and cleaning up meals on your countertops, the longer you can go in between oil applications.
Scratches on the Countertop
When choosing the right counter material for your kitchen, you want to pick a stone that can withstand the rigors of a busy kitchen. With high heat, heavy pots, pans, and other hazards commonly found in the kitchen, you need something durable that can put up with the occasional beating. Soapstone fits the bill, but with a few conditions.
Soapstone is relatively soft, but that does not mean it is any less durable. If you accidentally scratch the surface or nick an edge, don’t worry; you can use fairly coarse sandpaper over the area to even everything out. Mineral oil can also disguise or repair minor scratches. While scratches and slight dents over time may add to a well-worn patina that your soapstone countertop wears proudly, remember to use a cutting board!
How Does A Dedicated Cleaning Routine Affect The Color of Countertops?
Soapstone has a light gray coloring from the second it is mined from a quarry. However, the colors change once they are introduced to water, grease, and oils often found in modern kitchens. Once your counter begins to interact with these substances, the color starts to change to the more distinctive charcoal gray color that homeowners associate with soapstone.
A Soapstone Dealer You Can Trust
Finding the right place to get your soapstone from means more than finding the best deal. You want a business that has extensive experience in the proper installation and maintenance of soapstone countertops. They represent a hefty investment in your home, and you want to know the best ways to take care of them in the long run.
While there are many reasons to get a soapstone countertop, learning about proper treatment will help its beauty withstand the test of time (and all the meals you’ll prepare on it). So if you are looking for more information about properly caring for sandstone or black countertop options, contact us today!
