Soapstone is a very beautiful and popular material for kitchen countertops and some people prefer it over marble and granite countertops. It has an amazing slippery feel and it comes in a lot of colors and designs. Here is everything you need to know about soapstone countertops and what you should and shouldn’t do.
Do’s Of Soapstone Countertops
Use Mineral Oil
Soapstone is naturally light in color. Mineral oil has been used for a long time to get a nice tint on the countertop as well as clean the material. The same goes for soapstone. If you want to add a natural and quick tint to your countertops, then mineral oil is great.
You can even do it at home and the oil dries up pretty quickly as well. You don’t need a whole lot of supplies either. Just some good quality dark, food-safe mineral oil and thin and soft material, like a sponge or cloth to apply the oil.
Use Something To Protect The Stone
Soapstone is a very soft material. It can get scratched very easily. The more you use knives and sharp objects on the surface of soapstone, the deeper it will scratch. So, it’s best to use some sort of barrier to protect the stone and preserve its beautiful look.
So, using a cutting board or some sort of plate to cut your fruits, vegetables, and meat will save your countertops from getting ruined and deeply scratched. So, if you have soapstone countertops, it is recommended that you use a cutting board at all times.
Clean Every Day
This goes for all sorts of countertops, but for light-colored soapstone, this is especially important. You need to clean your countertops every day, otherwise, they will accumulate a lot of dirt, gunk, and food residue. This doesn’t only affect the appearance of the countertop, but it also leads to contamination and if you clean it after long periods of time, the process will be hard and the results won’t be as good.
So, try to clean it every day after you are done working in the kitchen. Just use your regular detergent and a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface.
Don’ts Of Soapstone Countertops
Worry About Maintaining It
Soapstone is a very low-maintenance material. It doesn’t need a whole lot of maintenance and it is also quite robust. Aside from regular cleaning and application of mineral oil, it doesn’t need anything else, in order to be durable. If you want, you can also seal the countertops, in order to get extra protection and make them waterproof.
Your countertops, with these few yet important steps, can be made more durable and they will last longer. So, you don’t need to worry about changing or replacing the countertops, every now and then.
Just Use In The Kitchen
Who says that soapstone can only be used in the kitchen? These countertops have great resistance to acid and water, so they can be used virtually anywhere. They are a great addition to your bathroom or any other place where you need countertops.
The look of soapstone is very similar to marble kitchen counters and it gives a luxurious feel to your space. Why not incorporate this material in your bathroom as well? You will be pleased by the results and the variety of colors soapstone has, will have you thinking hard about making a decision. So, soapstone is a great overall house countertop material.
Use Scrubbing Materials
Soapstone is a delicate stone and although it is quite durable, you don’t want to use abrasive cleaning products on the stone. This is going to buff the top layer of the stone and it will not look good. Abrasive cleaners and rough pads can also lead to a lot of scratches on the countertop surface, which you don’t want.
Try to use soft and non-abrasive things on the surface of soapstone. This is going to make your countertops look beautiful for longer and it is going to prevent scratches in the near future.
Conclusion
There you have it! Soapstone can be a delicate and very soft material by nature, so you need to be careful when cleaning and maintaining it. If they are cracked or you need replacement, get in touch with granite countertop installers Potomac.
