Take soapstone, for instance. While it looks like soap, it is not going to dissolve in the presence of water. That said, not all soapstone is suitable for kitchen use. Soapstone comes in many grades, mainly based on its talc content.
And, because soapstone is nonporous, it is weatherproof, which makes it popular as a countertop surface for outdoor kitchens, or even swimming pool borders. Soapstone is not only used in kitchens as a countertop surface, but it is also used as a material for upscale kitchen sinks.
Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a metamorphic rock, a talc-schist. It is largely composed of the mineral talc and is rich in magnesium.
Examine soapstone samples and put them to the test to ensure the stone is stainproof and acid-resistant—if the sample section stains or if undiluted white vinegar left on the surface for an hour causes etching or damage, it's not authentic soapstone.
Real soapstone is inert to acids, chemicals, and heat, which means that soapstone will not stain, burn, or be harmed by acids. These properties make it very useful for a wide variety of applications, such as residential and commercial kitchen countertops, sinks, and floor tiles.
Effects of overexposure Exposure to soapstone may cause scarring of the lungs. Shortness of breath, cough, enlargement of the ends of the fingers and heart failure may occur with this condition. Workers exposed to soapstone have been found to have an increased amount of cancer of the lungs and pleura.
Soapstone counters can scratch easily, and they require routine oiling to maintain their appearance. They also come in limited color options and are more expensive than other countertop materials.
Talc and soapstone may contain asbestos. In a longitudinal study in Germany samples of materials used have been taken over a periode of 10 years. Only very small quantities of asbestos have been detected.
Large intricately carved pieces of Chinese soapstone (depictions of mountains, villages and the like) can bring serious money, but smaller pieces such as this one are much more common and less expensive.
It has been reported that roughly 40 to 50 percent of the soapstone contains some asbestos. The only way to know for sure is to have the stone tested by a laboratory.
Soapstone is found in the Appalachian range from Maine to Georgia with significant deposits in Vermont and Virginia. Finland and Brazil are the largest international producers of soapstone.
Soapstone is a rare stone. This makes it relatively more expensive compared to man-made countertop materials. The average cost of soapstone countertops ranges between $70 to $120 per square foot, excluding installation.
Soapstone is a little more expensive than granite, although not by much. The prices can be comparable, depending on the stone. A high-end soapstone may be very expensive but also improves property values significantly.
If you don't have a coating on your natural stone surfaces but are still worried about disinfecting, regular Clorox Wipes can be used to give your counters a wipe down in a pinch, but don't let them sit directly on the stone!
Soapstone does not emit radon. This make it desirable as a building material for homes because it does not release a toxic gas into the living environment of human beings. It is advantageous in that regard to granite which does emit radon.
Soapstone Countertop Lifespan
With the right maintenance, soapstone countertops can easily last for 20 years or longer. Scratches can be buffed out with mineral oil while dents and chips can get filled in relatively easily.
Soapstone does not crack easily
While it may appear soft, soapstone countertops do not crack easily. This is however a problem when it comes to scratches. The softness makes it easily susceptible to scratches but protects it from cracking.
Stormy Black Soapstone
This low-talc soapstone variety is harder than others. Ash gray with prominent white veins before treatment, Stormy Black soapstone darkens dramatically after the application of oils.
If you leave it untreated, in time, the soapstone will darken around the surface areas most frequently used, particularly in a kitchen or food service environment. Leaving the soapstone untreated will develop a veneer of aging that many of our customers appreciate.
It's durable like granite and marble, but it's more forgiving under stress, soapstone has a tendency to dent rather than chip or crack. Soapstone is recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a suitable surface material for contact with food.
Soapstone is of course non-flammable with a super high melting point, and talc is not chemically reactive to the caustic gasses emitted by burning wood, so it won't stain or discolor in the same way as marble or limestone. Soapstone is also non-porous so it won't trap soot.
Talc is a major constituent of soapstone; toxic effects of Talc that are described in the literature result from chronic exposures to this substance. PEL of 6 mg/m3 TWA (total dust) and 3 mg/m3 TWA (respirable dust) for soapstone.
Soapstone is non-porous and, unlike marble and granite, does not need to be sealed. You can purchase our specially formulated Soapstone Care Mineral Oil from our online store. This is a lighter-grade mineral oil, which is easier to apply than standard drugstore mineral oil.
Soapstone is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.
The nonporous, stain-resistant properties of soapstone make it ideal for kitchen surfaces. This dense material doesn't harbor bacteria, so you can easily wipe germs and contaminants from your countertop, sink, and backsplash.