Care Tips For Soapstone Bathroom Tiles
Category: Bathroom Remodeling
If you’re thinking about installing soapstone bathroom tiles for a Saginaw remodeling project, you may be wondering what type of care it will need. Is soapstone a durable bathroom tile? Will it be a good choice for the bathroom tile?
Soapstone is a great bathroom remodeling material because of its durability. However, it is able to scratch easily so it is polished and sealed prior to installation. Using abrasive methods to care for your new soapstone bathroom tile will remove the finish making the material vulnerable to damages.
Soapstone is a hard substance that’s resistant to bacteria so it makes a great choice for bathroom tile and kitchen tile as well as to accent walls. It is also commonly seen on fireplace surrounds and hearths. More every year is being installed for outdoor kitchen areas.
One of the reasons people love soapstone bathroom tiles is how good it feels under bare feet. The texture is just lovely as you step on the soft stone. It also looks as if it belongs in a bathroom.
Once your new soapstone bathroom tiles are installed, you’ll need to know how to take good care of it. Here are a few care tips from our Saginaw remodeling company, RVA Construction.
Cleaning Soapstone Bathroom Tiles
For cleaning purposes, all you need do is keep the area clear of debris by vacuuming (on flooring) and then clean with a damp mop using pure hot water. If you don’t vacuum first, you’ll just be spreading sand and other scratchy materials around on it and cause damage.
There is a type of soapstone called architectural soapstone that’s used for kitchen sinks and countertops. It’s both stain and heat resistant, but it does require periodic maintenance. This material takes special care when restoring its natural beauty. It’s composed of talc, quartz, and other minerals and gets its name from the soapy feeling that comes from it when you touch it. This is because of the talc content.
When soapstone is quarried from the ground, it is a light gray color. But over time it becomes a deep charcoal shade when it’s exposed to things such as water, oils, and grease.
Soapstone Bathroom Tile Care Is Easy
To care for soapstone, manufacturers usually will recommend the regular use of mineral oil during the first year or more. Mineral oil helps to oxidize the surface, causing it to darken evenly.
With this method, you first clean the soapstone with a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Then you apply the mineral oil to the soapstone with a clean and dry cloth. When that is finished, wipe away the excess.
You always want to be careful when cleaning soapstone and other natural stone materials. There are cleaners on the market that claim to be safe, but these are misleading because they really aren’t and they say they are, “made for stone cleaning,” and “safe to use on polished stone or polished surfaces”.
Soapstone Bathroom Tile Maintenance For Long Lasting Beauty
What happens most often is for one reason or another the soapstone will go without any attention and lose the polish or seal over time (anywhere from 2-10 years to wear down). During that time and after, you will find it easy to scratch until it gets repolished and resealed. Once sealed again, it will be easy to care for as it was when new.
When the soapstone bathroom tile has lost its shine, it’s time to have it resealed. This may happen one year later or a couple of years after the soapstone bathroom tiles are installed.
Bathroom Tile Remodeling Service In Saginaw
As a home builder in Saginaw, RVA Construction provides all types of home remodeling services. We are a design and build general contractor who helps local homeowners improve their homes.
Bathroom remodeling can be really fun if you have the right contractor working for you. If you have plans to revamp an old bathroom, an outdated kitchen, or your entire home, give us a call. You will be in the best of hands with all the great advice you need.
