Yes, soapstone scratches easily because it is a naturally soft stone composed primarily of talc. It can easily be marked by everyday items like fingernails, house keys, or metal utensils.
The 3 Drawbacks of Choosing Soapstone for Your Kitchen
Mineral Oil is Your Friend
Having a dedicated routine to clean and maintain your soapstone can help minimize the chance for your countertops to get scratched over time. The most essential cleaning tool in your arsenal to help reduce any scratches or scuffing is finding and using the right mineral oil.
Soapstone is extremely soft. It's a 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means that it can be scratched by an object as soft as a house key or even a fingernail.
Yes, Dawn is safe on soapstone. It's a pH-neutral dish soap, which is exactly what's recommended for daily cleaning. Use a few drops in warm water with a soft cloth, then dry with a towel to prevent water spots.
Any common household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone counter surfaces. Chemicals and acids do not harm it. However, we do recommend that you use regular soap and water because harsher solvents may remove the mineral oil treatment, therefore generating more maintenance.
Countertops in 2026 are shifting away from sterile, cool grays toward warm, organic, and dramatic looks. The biggest trends prioritize inviting neutrals (creams, beiges, and taupes), sweeping natural veins, and bold, earth-toned statement stones.
With fake soapstone products more common than ever, it's important to know how to spot the real thing. Authentic soapstone has a smooth, cool, soap-like feel, resists acids and stains, and features natural gray to charcoal tones with white veining; if it etches, stains, or lacks talc, it's likely not the real thing.
Expect to pay anywhere from $70 to $120 per foot for soapstone countertops. 1 By contrast, granite and marble cost $40 to $100 per square foot,2 while quartz can be more expensive than granite. To save money, look for remnant soapstone slabs.
ETCHING: Rarely, some materials may etch the surface of the stone, especially those containing acids (e.g. citrus juices, vinegar). This can be avoided by keeping the stone's surface clean.
Mineral Oil and Soapstone
These liquids cause the stone to oxidize, which darkens the stone's color and really brings out its natural beauty. To help expedite oxidation of the stone, we recommend that you treat it with mineral oil from time to time. This treatment will keep oxidation uniform across the entire surface.
This makes quartz a perfect soapstone alternativeopens in a new tab for your space. Busy families and home cooks will love the durability of quartz countertops that are able to withstand daily use while resisting scratches, chips, and stains. Quartz is also nonabsorbent, so it doesn't harbor bacteria.
One note: some granite can emit low levels of radiation due to naturally occurring radioactive elements. While the health risk is debated and likely minimal, it's not a concern with soapstone.
The healthiest countertops prioritize non-toxic, non-porous, and zero-VOC materials. Top choices include natural stone (like granite and quartzite), stainless steel, and solid wood (butcher block). These do not off-gas harmful chemicals and naturally resist bacterial growth when properly maintained.
The soft, natural look of soapstone works with nearly every design aesthetic- from traditional to modern. It's a material that will never go out of style.
Yes, you can absolutely put hot pans on soapstone. It is highly heat-resistant and won't scorch, crack, or suffer thermal shock from high temperatures. In fact, it is often used for this exact reason.
Quartz and Quartzite Are Top Countertop Choices
Quartz is still the number one material choice for countertops, according to 78% of the respondents. (Its popularity makes sense, though! You get the look of natural stone with none of the maintenance.) Quartzite—aka the real stuff—is in second place.
Soapstone is a beautiful, heat-resistant natural stone, but it has notable drawbacks. The primary cons include its softness, which leads to scratching and denting, the need for regular oiling to maintain an even color, limited design options, and a premium price tag.
Stormy Black is one of the harder soapstone varieties, so it easily withstands everyday use in the kitchen.
Yes, you can use vinegar on quartz countertops, but it must be equal parts vinegar and water. Diluting the vinegar helps minimize the acidity, reducing the risk of dulling the surface or breaking down the resin in quartz. Use the solution sparingly and wipe the area afterward with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
Soapstone dust is considered hazardous when inhaled because it can contain crystalline silica and trace amounts of asbestos fibers. While the raw stone in your home is perfectly safe, breathing in the fine dust created during cutting, sanding, or polishing can lead to severe, irreversible lung diseases over time.
A kitchen is typically considered outdated when it suffers from a combination of failing appliances, poor lighting, worn-out surfaces, and an isolating, disjointed layout. Trends evolve, and what was once fashionable can make the entire heart of the home feel less functional and visually unappealing.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is safe for quartz countertops. It is one of the best everyday cleaners you can use, provided it is heavily diluted with warm water.
Dark floors pair particularly well with lighter countertops in large kitchens, where there is enough natural light to prevent the space from feeling heavy. Charcoal tiles, dark-stained engineered wood, or concrete-effect porcelain are often used to create a strong architectural base.