We are building a new house and are planning to use soapstone on the kitchen counter-top and master vanity and unpolished white marble in two of the other bathroom vanities (we do not mind the European "aging" look). Do we need to use an impregnator on either of these materials (assuming they pass the lemon/oil test) and what should we use for regular cleaning? Thanks.

 

Dear Hubbard:

As far as soapstone is concerned it has only one Achilles' heel: it is very soft and scratches easily (on the other hand, a few strokes of sandpaper will take care of the scratches in not time). Other than that it's as bullet proof as they come: liquid proof (and therefore impossible to stain and to seal) and acid-resistant like nobody's business. That is why they still use soapstone in chemistry labs. All you will need to do is treat it periodically with mineral oil (unscented baby oil will do), and use a spray stone cleaner for routine care, like MB-5. Don't bother with the lemon juice test with soapstone.

Don't bother with the lemon juice test with the hone-finished marble, either. That you may want to consider to seal with a good-quality stone impregnator like MB-4, if you think that staining agents could be possibly spilled onto it and let sit there for a while. For routine care, the same cleaning product you'd be using for the soapstone will do fine.

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The Only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!