We sell the soapstone slabs and the tools you need to create your dream kitchen at an economical price . Soapstone (steatite) is a practical, dark-colored, nonporous stone used for countertops and fireplaces. It resists high temperatures, and unlike granite or marble, you can't ruin it with common kitchen ingredients like red wine, lemon or vinegar. Soapstone wears well and gives your kitchen a ru
stic, homey look. Why Oil Soapstone? The purpose of oiling soapstone is to maintain an even color. Oil does not protect or seal soapstone. Instead, oiling oxidizes the surface of the stone and makes it uniformly dark. Un-oiled soapstone is usually light gray, while oiled soapstone is charcoal black, often with a greenish tinge. If you prefer the lighter color, you can oil it less frequently, but the stone's surface will be unevenly light and dark depending on which parts of it are used more often. It's not really possible to under-oil or over-oil soapstone because the oil is not actually absorbed. Instead, you should just try to maintain the color you want. To maintain soapstone's dark color, oil it regularly. Oil covers many of the stains that appear on soapstone from normal use, such as fingerprints and oily food stains. Soapstone scratches easily, and regular oiling hides most fine scratches. Although almost any oil will do, mineral oil is generally recommended to keep soapstone looking its best. Vegetable oils can go rancid unless they are thoroughly buffed away, and linseed oil leaves a sticky surface. When To Oil
When you first get your soapstone installed, you should oil it about once a week for the first month. On new soapstone, the color will become lighter as the oil evaporates. When this happens, oil it again to restore the black color. After the soapstone has been oiled several times, the dark color will stay longer and you won't have to oil it as frequently. For the first year, you can expect to oil the soapstone once a month or so. After a year, the dark color will be permanent and you will need to oil only scratches. How To Oil
Oiling the soapstone is a simple task. You can either pour the oil over the countertop and wipe it across the surface with a rag, or you can soak a rag with oil and wipe it over the countertop. Just make sure to wipe away all the excess oil to avoid staining your clothing. To make touch-up jobs easier, keep a rag used just for oiling in a re-sealable bag under the sink for easy access. The leftover oil on the rag will be enough for most small spots, and it will save you from having to wipe up a lot of excess oil every time. By Sarah Metzker Erdemir
