Soapstone is a gorgeous natural surface. When left as-is, it's a light gray slate-like shade. And while soapstone will gradually darken over time, some prefer to have the darker look straight out of the starting gate. By adding oil or wax, the result is a shiny onyx-hued black with a bit more richness.
What many do not know, is that Soapstone will naturally turn or patina dark through day to day use over time. An immediate and more uniform matte black or green black look (depending on the look of the stone mined) can be achieved through a simple oiling process right away.
Soapstone darkens and develops a natural patina over time. It will change from month to month and develop character over the years. For instance, a light gray will sink into a rich, dark gray, and a black will simply get deeper. Some homeowners love this—and some don't.
Because it's a natural metamorphic stone, it almost always comes with random veining. The veins of color add a distinctive look. When first quarried, the stone is gray, but it gets darker with age as it begins to oxidize. My soapstone countertops, when wet or oiled, look a dark green.
Your soapstone countertop will absorb and retain the black coating after one application of mineral oil, but we recommend re-applying mineral oil once per month for the first year of owning your soapstone. This process will build a denser coat of oil that will keep your soapstone the desired color for a longer time.
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.
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.
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.
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 is impermeable to heat, acid, and other alkalis and harsh chemicals as an inert material. You can use virtually any soapstone cleaner to care for this beautiful, indelicate product. Still, we recommend avoiding harsh cleaners that could exacerbate skin and sinus irritations in your guests.
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 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.
Ease of cleaning and maintenance
Since soapstone is non-porous, it is easy to clean. However, you need to use mild soap and a soft sponge. When it comes to maintenance, soapstone countertops need regular oiling to maintain their natural look.
Soapstone Countertop Care
Enhance your counter's natural darkening progression by applying mineral oil to the surface every week or two and rubbing it in thoroughly. The mineral oil treatment will make the patina more uniform. It usually takes seven to nine months for the countertop to reach its full patina.
Soapstone Countertops Maintenance
The application of oil will help develop a balanced patina over its surface. It takes around seven to nine months until your soapstone countertops develops its full-patina color. With regards to other maintenance, there will be less because this stone is naturally non-porous.
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.
Soapstone surfaces need not be sealed, but we recommend treatment with mineral oil if consistent surface darkening is desired. Without treatment, soapstone will darken in uneven regions around surface areas most frequently used. Leaving the soapstone untreated will develop a patina of age that many people enjoy.
Scratches on soapstone are, however, not particularly difficult to remove though. The fact that it is a non-porous material, prevents it from experiencing the same damages from abrasive substances such as vinegar, Windex, ammonia, and bleach that other countertops typically experience.
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.
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 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.
Here's a list of items to avoid when cleaning with vinegar, as well as details on what kinds of cleaners you can use instead! Granite, marble, and soapstone countertops. Acids don't mix with natural stones like granite, marble and soapstone. It can cause pitting and make them lose their shine.
To preserve the color of your soapstone, it should be resealed every three or four years. The frequency may depend on the amount of stress the sealant is exposed to; however, scratches on the surface of the sealant usually only require application to the affected area.
"It is a softer material, so it does scratch easier," Carbia says. Homes with children who drop things, or homeowners who prefer cutting straight on the countertop as opposed to using a cutting board, might damage soapstone.