Keep it Simple: Soapstone Upkeep Tips and Tricks

Soapstone is one of the most popular materials for countertops and other traditionally stone surfaces in your home. One of the biggest benefits of owning soapstone kitchen countertops in King of Prussia, PA, is how easy it is to care for them. Much like granite and marble, soapstone is durable. However, it is much more forgiving under stress, meaning, unlike these other materials, it is very unlikely to chip or crack. It’s even impervious to acids, chemicals, and heat, so using it in the kitchen or any other stone counter area is an obvious choice.

So what’s the best way to care for soapstone in day-to-day use? Here, we break down the best ways to care for soapstone.

Preservation Through Oil

Keeping your soapstone looking fresh starts with oil. Soapstone is naturally light gray in color. It becomes its famous black color because of the oxidation process that occurs when it is exposed to water, oils, and grease. Many people choose to oil their soapstone in an effort to bring about a look that is visually stunning and has character as well.

Your soapstone countertop will absorb and retain the black coating after one application of mineral oil, but we recommend re-applying mineral oil once per month for the first year of owning your soapstone. This process will build a denser coat of oil that will keep your soapstone the desired color for a longer time. After the first year of application, you can apply oil as needed.

Cleaning Soapstone

Cleaning soapstone is a straightforward process and can be done with almost any mild cleaner, such as Comet or Ajax. Your soapstone will retain its oil treatment with any of these cleaners, and you should be able to remove any mess or buildup with mild cleaners or typical in-home dishwashing liquids. We don’t recommend cleaners that are much harsher than the aforementioned, as it will strip back more of the mineral oil.

Fixing Scrapes

When granite or marble is scraped, it’s done for good. Soapstone, however, can be easily repaired. With high-grit sandpaper, you can quickly repair harsh damage to your soapstone from any source of damage. Here’s a video we took displaying how you can easily restore any significant damages: