This is brilliant! Use a paint pad with a styrofoam handle, to spread your mineral oil or wax, so you don’t get your hands all greasy!! Keep it in tupperware under the sink, for easy access.
Category Archives: Tips
What kind of oil to use for your soapstone countertops.
Oiling Tips:
We recommend oiling your countertops to ensure that the stone will evenly darken. The oil is not sealing or protecting the stone, it is only “speeding up” the natural darkening process that steatite (soapstone) goes through. Soapstone is non-porous and, unlike marble and granite, does not need to be sealed.
CARING FOR SOAPSTONE
The only maintenance required for soapstone (steatite) is the application of mineral oil to enhance the natural darkening process the stone goes through. You can also use butcher block conditioner. It last longer, appears more even & its not quite as messy. Once mineral oil/wax is applied, the stone will turn into a very dark charcoal gray, sometimes black. Often times, varieties of soapstone will keep a hint of green. Steatite (soapstone or soap-rock) is virtually heat proof and used in the construction of masonry heaters because of its excellent thermal qualities. It is also used in creating pizza stones, cooking pots, oven interiors and numerous related applications. You can take a pot right from your stove and place it on your soapstone countertops without harm.
HEARING MIXED REVIEWS ON SOAPSTONE?
So I’ve come to the conclusion, that it really depends on an individuals personality, whether Soapstone would be a good fit. You can decide what kind of tone you want these counter-tops to exude. Whether you want them to have a new DANIA type look, or let them accumulate patina w/an antiqued ANTHROPOLOGIE charm. It all depends on how often you want to apply mineral oil. What leather chair do you like?
Conditioning Soapstone
Did you know you could use butcher block conditioner on your soapstone, instead of mineral oil? Not only does it last longer; its not as messy, its still food safe AND the overall look of your soapstone appears more even!
Stone tips
What should I use to clean my stone countertops?
The rule of thumb is never use anything you wouldn’t use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even “soft scrub” type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone and could damage your stone countertops, and/or floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. We use a product called 511 Impregnator, which you can purchase here at Crocodile Rocks or from your local Home depot.
1 Pint of 511 Impregnator $20.00