Maintaining Soapstone Counters
It’s always so satisfying to check off home-keeping tasks from the "to-do" list - one of ours was to oil the soapstone kitchen counters.
Soapstone is a naturally quarried material that is metamorphic, like marble, and comes from magnesium rich mineral talc. Its colors vary from light gray and darker black, with some having green and blue undertones. I love soapstone and have long used it as a surface material in my kitchens. I chose soapstone for all the countertops and sinks in my studio kitchen located in a guest house here at my Bedford, New York farm. It is easy to care for and only needs a light treatment of mineral oil every few months to keep it looking its best.
Here are some photos and tips, enjoy.
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- This is my studio kitchen. A couple of years ago, I painted all the cabinetry black and replaced all the appliances. I love how the black gives the kitchen a more modern feel. It also looks great with the soapstone counters.
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- The kitchen has long soapstone counters along two walls of the kitchen and a large soapstone island. These crocks house wooden spoons and other cooking utensils for easy access and sit in one corner.
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- I also have two large soapstone sinks. To coordinate with all the black, I used brass finishes including two Waterworks “Regulator” style faucets. Both have single spouts with black spray nozzles. I also display many pieces from my copper collection in this kitchen.
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- The countertops are in great condition in part because of the maintenance we do. Periodic application of mineral oil will help it develop a dark patina and enhance the natural aging process of the soapstone.
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- Here is one of the soapstone sinks that could also use a coating of mineral oil.
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- First, Carlos cleans everything with regular dish soap and a soft sponge. I like using an unscented non-abrasive dish soap, but if needed, one can use a harder scouring soap to remove any stuck on food – it won’t hurt the stone.
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- Carlos goes over every area of the counters and the sinks. It’s important to clean the tight corners and edges.
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- Next, he uses clean cotton towels to dry the surface thoroughly.
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- This part of the job may take a few towels, so be sure to have several on hand.
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- Next, Carlos oils the counters and sink with mineral oil. Mineral oil can be found in any hardware store, grocery store, or pharmacy; it’s nontoxic, and not harmful if ingested. Basically, mineral oil is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of higher alkanes from a mineral source, such as petroleum. It is often used as a lubricant and a laxative.
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- One can just pour the mineral oil on a section of counter and rub it in evenly with a low-lint rag.
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- Once mineral oil is applied, the stone turns a very dark charcoal gray, sometimes black. Some stone varieties contain a hint of green and when oil is applied turn a rich deep green color.
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- Carlos is very careful to coat every area and every crevice of the soapstone.
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- This is the inside of the sink after it is oiled – looks as good as new.
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- After everything is covered, Carlos goes over every surface again with a clean towel to remove any excess oil. Because soapstone is made primarily from talc, it has an extremely high resistance to chemicals and acids. It does not absorb water and soapstone retains heat and will not scorch when in contact with any cookware.
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- Carlos uses wide even strokes, so any oil remaining covers the surface or is evenly removed.
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- Soapstone, being softer than granite and marble, is prone to scratches, but scratches can be easily removed with a light sanding and coating of mineral oil.
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- Carlos wipes any excess oil from the sinks.
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- And every time the countertops are oiled, the stone will hold the oil longer than the last time.
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- On new soapstone, oiling it once a month for the first year will give it a beautiful dark appearance, but for maintenance, we do this treatment every few months. This counter looks great and with the proper care, is sure to last many more years to come. If you have soapstone counters, maybe it’s time give them a little oil this weekend.
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