SOAPSTONE

Soapstone is a great choice for a wonderful countertop surface. With its characteristics, Soapstone is a perfect fit for a contemporary look or for a rustic look. But, most of times, consumers are misinformed about Soapstone.

Some myths about Soapstone:

• it scratches too easily
• it chips
• it stains
• it doesn't take heat well
• it doesn't react well to humidity
• it can't be repaired

• There are many different varieties of Soapstone. These range from very soft Soapstone, which are used for purposes like carvings, to quite hard Soapstone that are suitable for counters. Just about all Soapstone CAN suffer scratches, or chips, but scratches and chips definitely do not happen as often as some extreme opinions would suggest.
• Soapstone does not really need sealing of any sort, because it does not stain. You can oil or otherwise treat the surface, but that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Oiling has nothing to do with sealing or protecting the stone.
• Soapstone is absolutely fine with both heat and water/humidity. That is why you find 100+ year old soapstone sinks in salvage yards! That is also why you find soapstone in fireplaces and stoves. It is not damaged by heat.
• Soapstone can be repaired more easily by the average homeowner than most other counter surfaces. Minor scratches will wear away on their own over a few days. Most deep scratches or dings can easily be repaired by sanding. That said, part of the allure/character of soapstone, for some owners, are the scratches and dings.

• The main reason, really, is that homeowners really like it.
• Soapstone is the only truly "organic" countertop (other than wood). It is a counter that does not require any level of synthetic material. Granites and other stones require sealers. Quartz composite and other man-made counters (concrete, recycled material) have resins/binders/etc. Soapstone is a completely natural product and the only typical treatment is oil (mineral oil, bees oil, being popular choices).
• Of the organic counter choices (soapstone and wood), Soapstone is the only one that can take a hot pot set directly on the counter without burning or cracking.
• With the same counter, you can get the unfinished lighter natural stone look, or the oiled darker stone look. It's kind of nice to have that choice, at least at the beginning. (Not so much a choice later on when the stone has naturally darkened.)
• Homeowners love the calm matte of Soapstone. It is easy to clean and maintain.
• Soapstone is resistant to stain. It does not harbor bacteria. You don't have to reapply sealer once every year or two. If you choose to have the oiled look, you will have to reapply oil during the first couple years. But eventually your stone will naturally darken and you don't even need to oil it. If you choose not to oil, then the counters are zero-maintenance.

Soapstone is not for everyone. If you don't want patina, it's a bad choice. If you want/like gloss, Soapstone is not for you.