How To Clean Soapstone Carvings

Allow the piece to air dry.

How to clean soapstone carvings. A large Chinese soapstone carving of Taoist immortals late 19thEarly 20th century depicting nine immortals including Shou Lao in the upper centre each immortal separately carved and fixed to the rocky base 345 cm high 34 cm wide 5 cm deep. Soapstone is impervious to chemicals so those types of cleaners will not harm it. It brings out the stones colour protects it from scratches and gives it that glassy look.

We will be applying the oil by hand and will use the heat of our hands to help with the absorption process. Spread the wax over the carving with a small soft piece of cloth. Melt the bees wax onto the carving by holding it against the hot stone.

Keep the stone clean keep dust off it with a soft cloth and fully support the sculpture. Hold on to your carving as wet smooth soapstone can be very slippery. If you want to make your soapstone countertop or sink darker you can simply apply some mineral oil.

Be sure to gently rub the sandpaper onto the carving at the exact location of the scratch to remove the thinnest layer of soapstone and buff out the scratches. If you do happen to see residue of some kind on your carving you can easily clean it by. Rinse the cloth and rub it over the surface with clean water to remove any excess soapy residue.

Like wood soapstone has a tendency to absorb oil. Simply use mild dish soap and never use any harsh cleaners on it. Periodic application of mineral oil will help it develop a dark patina and enhance the natural aging process of your soapstone.

How to Care Maintain and Clean Soapstone Countertops. Cleaning Your Soapstone. If needed repeat this for 2 - 3 days and it should gradually remove the mark.