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Does the oil on your soapstone soak your paper?

15 years ago

Weird question, I know. I'm still wrestling with making up my mind on a surface for my island. I know that soapstone is non-porous so I'm assuming when you oil it that the oil stays on the surface until it dries? If my little one does her homework at the island will the oil soak into her paper? What about people's sleeves?

I know for sure that if I do go for a black surface instead of white marble that I want something black, not grey or greyish green.

E

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Comments (5)

elizpiz
15 years ago
Hey Erika - when I oil my soapstone with an oily rag, I do a second quick wipe with a microfibre cloth. Soaks up the "excess" oil (of which there really isn't a lot). Best thing to do though would be to get a small piece and do your own tests - everyone's tolerance level is different.

Eliz
pluckymama
15 years ago
Hi Erika,
There's a learning curve to oiling soapstone. At first people tend to put too much oil on, forgetting that soapstone is nonporous and the oil cannot be absorbed. Once you realize that the oil is only to help keep your stone a uniform color across the surface (as soapstone can turn dark in spots when exposed to oil or grease from cooking, etc.)then you use a very small amount of oil and buff it up afterward so that the stone does not feel greasy to the touch. I usually oil later in the evening and by morning there is no danger of smudged paper or material.
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erikanh
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks eliz and Mary!

Mary, I know you did a lot of research into soapstone. What do you think is the best type for me if I want something very black? I don't mind veins, but I want something with an overall look of black, not grey or green.

E
pluckymama
15 years ago
Much of soapstone has green in it, even if the overall effect is black. I have Minas and when you walk in my kitchen, it looks black. But when you get close to it, you can see green in it. Beleza when oiled, looks black, but when not oiled looks green. Julia is green unoiled, but more black when oiled. Cobra turns solid black when oiled. Santa Rita would look black with white veining, but tends to be soft. If you choose to go with soapstone, really check out the individual slabs to make sure they are hard enough for you, as some can be easily scratched and dinged while others never get a mark.

The Nordic Black Antique granite that Catsam has on her island and Jen4268 has in her kitchen is a great choice if you want a granite that looks black but has texture and subtle movement in it and is low maintenance.
debsan
15 years ago
I wanted black and was disappointed when I couldn't get what I thought I wanted. I ended up with Green Mtn. which is greenish black. However, after finally getting it oil-cured (which took about 6 weeks, it appears to be black. It seems impossible that it could have ever appeared green.

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