Soapstone
WHAT IS SOAPSTONE?
Soapstone is made up of mineral deposits created by nature and quarried from the earth. The main mineral components in soapstone include talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnetite, giving a warm, soft feeling to the touch.
Soapstone has a unique soft color with light flowing veins. When cut, it oxidizes from light gray to dark charcoal in color. A protective coat of mineral oil makes its color even more dramatic.
CARE OF SOAPSTONE
Cleaning:
Use a damp cloth or sponge with a non abrasive cleanser or liquid soap. Pour mineral oil onto the stone and use a soft cloth to spread it evenly on the surface. Keep buffing until the surface is dry to the touch.
Scratches:
Most all scratches will disappear to permanently remove a scratch, rub the area with 300 grit sandpaper, The scratch will be removed. At least 2-3 applications of mineral oil will be needed on the sanded area over a 2-3 day period to match the coloration of the rest of the stone.
If your soapstone becomes scratched follow these 3 easy steps:
STEP 1 - Sanding Scratches
Most all scratches will disappear with a direct dab of mineral oil. To permanently remove a deep scratch, apply medium pressure to the scratched area with 300 grit sandpaper. A sanding sponge is recommended. The deeper the scratch, the more sanding will be needed.
STEP 2 - Oiling
After the scratch has been sanded out, you will need to apply a light
coat of mineral oil to the sanded area. The mineral oil application should be repeated 2-3 times over a 2-3 day period to match the coloration of the rest of the stone.
STEP 3 - Returned to it's former beauty…
To maintain your soapstone use a damp cloth or sponge with cleanser. Oiling will enhance the luster and color of the stone and restore that brand new look once again. Re-apply monthly
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOAPSTONE PRODUCTS
Why is it called “soapstone”?
People have referred to this natural stone as soapstone because of its smooth, silky feel. It really has nothing to do with soap other than texture. But remember, ‘softness’ does not equal porosity: soapstone is non-porous and very dense.
Where does soapstone come from?
The best soapstone currently in use comes from Brazil. There are also deposits in Finland and India as well.
What is architectural soapstone?
Architectural soapstone is used for countertops, sinks and other building projects. It is stronger than ‘artistic’ soapstone, which is used for creating statuettes. Native cultures of Alaska and the Arctic frequently
use artistic soapstone to portray animals from their environment.
How do I clean my soapstone?
Soapstone can be cleaned using any cleaning products, from liquid detergents to abrasive cleansers. The stone is inert and cannot harbor bacteria once it is clean.
How often should I seal my soapstone?
Soapstone does not require sealing. It does not require polish, either. To enhance the color of the stone, most people like to darken its surface with mineral oil.
Why use mineral oil on soapstone?
Oxidation occurs when any oil is applied to the surface of soapstone. This causes a temporary deepening of the color of the stone. Because soapstone will react to any oil, customers usually choose to deepen the color uniformly with regular applications of mineral oil. Mineral oil does not support the growth of bacteria or other organisms and that is why it’s used.
How do I apply mineral oil to my stone?
Simply pour or spray the oil to the surface of the stone as evenly as possible. Then wipe away excess oil with a soft cloth, until the surface feels dry to the touch. It’s that simple!
How much does soapstone cost?
In order to give an accurate quotation on the price of an installation, we need information. First, we need a sketch of the project with accurate dimensions that shows the placement of major appliances and gives us information about your sink: is it an under mount sink? A drop-in? Are your cabinets new or will you be using your original cabinets? Will the installation be done on the ground floor or another floor? You can Fax your information to us at (727)321-1266 certain
you put your name and phone number on the sheet so we can reach you when the quote is ready.
Besides countertops and sinks, what other uses does soapstone have?
Soapstone is used for vanities and bar tops, shelves and cabinet knobs. It’s used for floor and wall tiles, cooking pots, pizza pans, shower bases, fireplace surrounds and hearths, tabletops, planters, and inside wood stoves and bake ovens. And as you may remember, it’s used for the tops of tables and desks in science labs.
Does soapstone come in different colors?
The appearance of soapstone differs somewhat from piece to piece according to its mineral concentrations. Colors generally vary from light to dark gray and some stone has a lovely green color. The appearance is also changed by the amount of natural graining in each slab of stone. Depth of color is enhanced by the application of mineral
oil.
Green Mountain Soapstone is supplied in Classic Original.
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