Do I oil my soapstone or not?

Did you know that the first day of applying oil or wax to your soapstone will most likely be green? Don’t worry, this won’t last. It takes a day to oxidize the surface. The photo shows the 1st day of oil, which is the greenest & the busiest. The 2nd day, which is the darkest, least busy & has a flat/matte look. The next photo shows water, which helps show where the veins are prominent, but doesn’t do justice to the color once its oiled. The water verses the oil, is about 3 shades lighter. The very last photo is of the stone dry, often referred to raw.Remember when oiling, this isn’t “staining” or “sealing” the stone. Because soapstone will not stain and does not need sealing. When applying oil or wax, it is merely for appearance/aesthetics. You do not need to oil or wax your soapstone countertops. Its inevitable that oils will darken (oxidize) the stone, so you can either remove the oil mark with comet, or just oil the whole counter-top. The choice is yours. If you oil them and you decide that they appear too dark, then take the oil off by using comet and a scotch brite pad, or 22o sandpaper and a bit of water, using a circular motion. That is the beauty of these countertops, is that you can mold the look as you go!!! They are definitely for the more laid back personality :-) In that you can leave them alone and let them gain patina. OR- you can oil them and they look brand new! Most people just apply the oil whenever “company” comes over. There isn’t a normal or recommended amount of oiling. Because it material literally doesn’t “need” maintenance whatsoever. This decision is yours..