When it comes to natural stone countertops, there are more options out there than just marble and granite. If you love the dark beauty of granite and the light veining of marble, consider soapstone instead. It's durable, relatively low-maintenance, and has a lovely, old-world feel.
Soapstone is valued for it the way it helps one prepare for changes in life. It is also thought to promote truth, logic as well as rational and creative thinking. Soapstone's physical benefits are said to be balancing the digestive system, reducing irritation and skin rashes, sun burns and allergies.
The Durability of Soapstone
While not as hard as granite, this material is more pliable. That means it is less brittle, so it won't crack unexpectedly from stress or weight. In addition, soapstone is very non-porous, another important strength that sets it apart from granite, sandstone and slate.
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.
Simple soapstone and water or vinegar and water. Will work wonderfully well and clean any surface bacteria just as well as bleach or harsh cleaners.
Soapstone is the common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite is at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mostly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure and time. It is called soapstone because the talc gives the stone a soapy feel.
Soapstone (also known as Steatite) is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc. Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, it also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite and carbonates.
Another benefit of cooking in soapstone is the capacity to retain nutrients is higher than in modern utensils, says Harini Balasubramanian, a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. “It retains 98% nutrients of the food cooked in it. It cooks food in 15% less time than modern cookware.
If moisture gets inside natural stone, it weakens the strength properties of almost all types of stone. If a stone gets wet unevenly, it can bend. Soapstone's high density prevents moisture and chemicals from entering the stone, and it is therefore not prone to the previously-mentioned problems.
Soapstone, being softer than granite and marble, is also more prone to scratches. The great advantage is that any scratches can be easily removed with a light sanding and/or mineral oil. Light scratches can be hidden by lightly applying some mineral oil.
We strongly recommend soapstone in the bathroom because it's much easier to disinfect than other stone options — something with major value in a space as potentially germ-infested as the bathroom!
Natural soapstone is an environmentally friendly choice for kitchen countertops. The slabs are simply taken from the earth and cut to custom specifications to fit perfectly into your kitchen. No sealers or toxic chemicals will be introduced into your home with soapstone, as it is all natural and completely recyclable.
The Soapstone Hill Mine was closed at the time of data entry with no known plans to re-open. Production size when active was considered to be small. The ore mined is composed of gold with waste material consisting primarily of quartz. The host rock in this area is granite.
Limestone, soapstone, and marble countertops do not pose a radon concern, according to Kitto. If you have granite countertops and want to test them for radon, place a short-term home radon test kit near the granite and another kit in the basement or lowest usable level of the home.
Most stone dealers are aware of this problem, and only carry stone that is known to be asbestos-free. Some soapstone contains silica, which can cause silicosis when inhaled. This should likewise be avoided, but is not as serious a hazard as asbestos.
Soapstone resists heat and is commonly used as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, and flooring, but there are many other less known ways that soapstone is used today. This remarkable stone maintains cold temperatures as steady as it does heat.
Scratch the surface of the stone with your fingernail. Soapstone is very soft; it is assigned a rating of 2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This means that simply by drawing your fingernail across the surface of the stone you should be able to mark it.
Natural stones with high energy density and excellent thermal conductivity are soapstone (by far the best) and marble. These are perhaps the best stones for absorbing large amounts of heat quickly.
The natural qualities of soapstone make it a stunning choice for your outdoor kitchen. It withstands rain, sunlight, and cold temperatures. Because it is a dark stone, under direct sunlight it can get very hot to the touch. Use caution if it has been sitting under the sun all day.
When fully loaded, the new Heritage will burn for up to 8 hours, providing up to 12 hours of sustained heat.
Polish Soapstone to Remove Stains & Scratches
Stains are easily cleaned by scrubbing or even sanding the stains away. However soapstone is a very soft stone and is prone to scratches. Minor scratches are easily repaired with an FDA approved food grade mineral oil or enhancer.
Oil and grease can discolor new soapstone, so wipe up spills promptly and, if necessary, rub a bit of acetone (nail polish remover will suffice) on an oil stain to lighten it. Once your countertop reaches its full patina, oil discoloration won't be a problem.