Have you Soapstone in your house?
Those bad-looking water rings on Soapstone are quite visible in your house, making you wonder about how can you get rid of those marks, right?
Then this post is for you to guide you through getting rid of those cloudy spots on Soapstone big time.
But how to remove it once and for all naturally? Well, let’s dig deeper into it.
What Causes Those Spots In Soapstone
For a few days, you have been watching the surface of your sink and the disturbing watermark on it.
You know how you are using the soapstone in your house, so you already have some idea about what may be the reason for the stains.
However, generally, it is not so easy to cause stains on the surface of the Soapstone. Wondered? what might be the reason?
Well, unlike materials like granite and marble, soapstone is non-porous. It implies that this stone does not contain pockets of air throughout the slab of stone, so when something gets spilled on the surface of it, the stone material does not soak it.
So, after some accidental spill if you wipe it off then there is a less likely chance that the stain would remain for so long.
Still, when you see when those stubborn spots on the surface of water or other stains, it is normally due to the regular usage of the stone. The stain normally gets visible due to the lack of regular maintaining work of the Soapstone.
If you clean it regularly and don’t keep any spill of liquid unattended, then there is a very low chance of having those stains in the first place.
In case the stains get visible, then you have the option to get them removed just by polishing the surface or by doing some other treatments.
The ways of cleaning Soapstone stains are elaborately discussed in the following section of this write-up.
Does Soapstone Stain Easily?
While soapstone won’t actually stain, the appearance of water rings and marks means it can look dirty or discolored easily. The more prone a stone is to water markings, the more stained it will appear.
Soapstone stain susceptibility
- Less porous types = fewer water marks
- Higher talc content = increased marking
- Lighter colors hide rings better
- Unsealed stone allows more absorption
With proper prep, sealing, and maintenance, soapstone’s susceptibility to water markings can be minimized for a cleaner, more uniform look.
But some sensitivity to moisture is inherent.
How To Get Rid Of The Stains And Water Rings On Soapstone
Now that you know it is not easy to get a permanent stain on the surface of the Soapstone, you must have an idea that there are plenty of ways of getting rid of it.
When you are not very late to take action, then mere water may do the job for you.
But when you figure out the spots are stubborn to let go easily, then you may have to embrace other ways. Over the internet, you may find different confusing ways regarding it.
You may find some people telling you to pour mineral oil in it, some may tell you to clean the surface with ordinary cleaner. A good number of people may tell you to polish the stained surface entirely.
Lucky people who did not have any stubborn stains would tell you to wipe it off with a piece of fabric and soap.
I know …I know … you may be finding it confusing and a little overwhelming.
Do not worry. I have got you covered!
I am here sharing what worked for me to get rid of this problem.
This process may come in handy when you are thinking about how to polish Soapstone countertops.
So, without any further delay, let’s jump into it.
To make the process easy to understand, I will divide it step by step.
- Pouring the oil
You can pour mineral oil on the surface of the Soapstone where the stain is. You can choose to dampen a cloth with oil as well. You can use other substitutes for mineral oil for your soapstone too.
Likewise, you would treat all the surfaces, in the same way, no matter how you are using it for your home. It is not difficult to find mineral oil from different brands to do the job.
There is no need to worry about the measurement of the oil. You can use your judgment.
- Spreading the oil
Now is the time to spread the oil on the surface with the cloth. While doing so, the change of color on the surface.
You will see the color is turning into dark gray and sometimes black color.
- Remove the oil
Once you are done wiping the surface off by spreading the oil, now it is the type to get rid of this oil. It is better to remain cautious regarding not leaving any greasy feel.
Since the Soapstone is not porous, you don’t have to be worried about the soaking in of the oil in the process.
- Storing the used cloth
It is a good idea to store the cloth you have used during the process other than throwing it out.
You can use it for doing the same job next time. It will do the job better than a new cloth as the oil got saturated on this one.
So, naturally, the old cloth will be a better polisher for the Soapstone surface for cleaning any sort of stains.
An ounce of prevention is absolutely key when working to minimize water rings on soapstone countertops.
Proactive Steps for Prevention:
Sealing
- Seal soapstone with an impregnating sealer, ideally before installation
- Reapply sealer once or twice per year
- Sealing reduces moisture absorption
Daily Maintenance
- Immediately wipe up spills and splashes
- Avoid letting water pool on surface
- Don’t let glasses sit directly on stone
- Use trivets and hot pads under cookware
Routine Cleaning
- Use damp, well-wrung cloth for wiping
- Dry surface thoroughly after cleaning
- Avoid excessive water and steam
Sealing, prompt wipe-ups, coasters, and proper cleaning habits make a huge difference in minimizing soapstone’s water marking tendencies.
Removing Water Rings from Soapstone
Despite best efforts, water rings still tend to develop on soapstone over time. The good news is that there are ways to remove water stains and restore soapstone’s even patina. Here are a few effective options:
Baking Soda Paste
- Make a paste with baking soda and water
- Gently rub onto rings with soft cloth
- Rinse paste thoroughly after scrubbing
Mineral Oil
- Dab undiluted mineral oil on water marks
- Allow to sit 5-10 minutes
- Wipe away oil and buff dry
Nylon Brush
- Use a soft nylon brush and baking soda paste
- Lightly scrub marks in a circular motion
- Rinse soapstone after scrubbing
Restoration Services
- Hire professional stone restoration services annually
- Services use specialized equipment to deep clean and remove stains
For tougher water rings, repeat treatments may be needed. Take care not to scrub too aggressively.
This is the process that worked for me, so I keep doing the process after a few months. Now, watch the official cleaning video!
My Thought Regarding SoapStone
If you are reading this then you must have an idea regarding this.
Soapstone is a very well-known stone that we choose for our home. There are other names of it, for instance, soaprock or steatite. It is one type of metamorphic rock.
For ages, people have been using this stone for building tile, sculpture, sinks, wall tile, kitchen countertops, fireplaces, woodstoves, and so on.
The reason for picking this stone for our regular usage is due to its durability of this stone. Soapstone usually lasts for more than 20 years.
Though Soapstone has a long life, over the years cloudy spots on Soapstone and stains. However, there are different natural ways of cleaning Soapstone stains as you have seen above.
If you clean the Soapstone regularly, then there should not be any stains.
When this is not the case, then you can try out the process I have been following. If you are not convinced about this particular process, then you can try out another one.
Most of the time those stains are not that stubborn to deal with those in the harder way.
I am sure you can get rid of those stains without having many issues pretty easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Soapstone is a natural product quarried from the ground in blocks, like marble and granite.
Yes, vinegar is a readily available in-home ingredient to clean the surface of the soapstone. Just a simple mixture of water and vinegar can work as a wonder for combating the bacteria on the surface of the Soapstone. Bleach and normal cleaner can do the same job as well.
This stone is particularly soft compared to the other stone. The reason behind it is that it has because of its high talc content. Having this feature, this stone got the name of Soapstone.
It is advisable to use mineral oil only. Using olive oil will not serve the purpose, instead, it may cause an uncomfortable smell from it.
Gently scrub with a baking soda paste. Mineral oil and soft nylon brushes also help remove soapstone water stains. Hire a pro stone restoration service for a deep clean.
Yes, the minerals in soapstone can interact with water and leave light colored rings on the surface as it dries. Proper sealing and quick wipe-ups help minimize water marks.
Wrapping up
It is never very comforting for any homeowner to find water rings on Soapstone on the surface of it. It looks significantly unappealing.
If you are having this problem, after going through this article you must have some idea about the steps that need to be taken regarding it.
So, without any further delay, get rid of those annoying stains on the Soapstones of your home.