Counter Intelligence: Durable, Easy-Clean Soapstone

Granite Grannies This is a great article. Soapstone is such a wonderful material! We love working with it. I think my favorite part about it is that it is so timeless. It looks equally at home in an historic home or a uber modern, minimalist space.

bubblyjock Soapstone is also milled - harvested? - successfully in Quebec, Canada.

I have no idea whether the Quebec soapstone process is environmentally conscientious: perhaps the author, Michelle Jeresek, might like to expand upon the ecological harm she mentioned in the article?

lonnaj We have had a soapstone countertop on our island for four years now and we LOVE it! It is Quebec soapstone - we're Canadians :-)

Rough Linen I just love soapstone, though I have the manmade lab. counter stuff called FireSlate, looks very similar, costs less!

departure: architecture planning interiors llc @Granite Grannies - I couldn't agree more!

@catrionacatriona: Good question. Regardless of where the mining takes place, it's the harvesting of a finite, non-replenishable resource. Stone takes millennia to form and harvesting it without any way to replace or renew this natural resource makes it (literally) unsustainable. The disruption to the ecosystems in/around the mine location is also harmful. Canadian soapstone does have an advantage, as transportation-related energy is reduced.

olldbobbi It's a good thing it's timeless, because at $80-$100/sq ft it would cost me over $6,000 to have it in my kitchen! But if I had the money, I would have the soapstone in a flash. It's gorgeous!

Becky Harris Like Julia Child, I love soapstone! I remember when my cousin was renovating her house, she searched far and wide for blacker soapstone counters and finally found them somewhere in New Jersey. they are absolutely stunning:

olldbobbi Becky - I LOVE that kitchen! WOW!

Granite Grannies @Bobbi P It may sound like a lot because you are used to hearing companies advertise in the $40 per square foot range, but honestly, at the end of the day, unless you are getting extremely inferior work or product, all natural stone countertops are going to run between 70-100 a square foot installed. Interestingly, Cambria (man made quartz) has a higher starting price than soapstone! We pay more for man made quartz than natural soapstone!

Vermont Custom Cabinetry A logical inconsistency: If soapstone is extremely dense and stains can't penetrate it, how does oiling it darken the stone and not just sit on the surface?

bubblyjock Michelle - I have to admit, the local environmental impact of mining any stone hadn't really occurred to me. So I'm guessing you'd have the same issue with granite, slate, marble, gravel roads, stone buildings, etc?!

Granite Grannies @ Vermont Custom Cabinetry: the process used for oiling the stone is not something that could ever be replicated in the kitchen. We couldn't even do it here at our fabrication shop. Many many granites have some sort of sealer/ resin pressed into their pours while still in solid blocks of unpolished stone. It just requires huge, expensive technology.

As far as the ecological impact, while the quarrying of the stone does, as mentioned, of course have an impact, I have trouble believing that the environmental cons of quarrying a natural stone outweigh the factory processes of man mades. Even the quartz surfaces are made from granite and resin, so you are merely adding to the original impact.

departure: architecture planning interiors llc Great dialogue!

@catrionacatriona: You are right about other stone having the same impact. Everyone needs to weigh out the pros and cons for themselves. It's also worth knowing from which country the stone is being harvested, as different nations have varying environmental regulations that can mitigate damage to the ecosystems.

@Granite Grannies: I agree. An alternative is counters made of mostly recycled content.

Kristin H. I have had my soapstone countertops for over 5 years now and absolutely love them. My slabs are in the green family as they were the only ones I could find long enough to not have a seam in my long islands. Having endured years of cooking they still look great. My only nick is from dropping a pan on one of the edges during move in. I used to use mineral oil weekly, but now only occasionally. I like the natural patina just fine.

Tina McGuire I love soapstone and searched it out for our kitchen remodel. We brought home a sample piece to see how we felt about it and did some tests (next to a gray piece of granite). We ended up not getting it based on a couple foods left on it. A few chip crumbs left oil marks that we couldn't wash out. With a 2 year old and another child on the way we feared having too many spots we couldn't clean off. I love the light color of it and didn't want to oil it to make it darker to hide those spots. Otherwise it's a gorgeous material.

hometipster Nice article and some stunning examples.

Laura Hayes Well I too have small children and there is nothing that stays behind on my soapstone! You can clean it with just about any product and if it scratches you can take fine grade sand paper and sand it away. It does need mineral oil now and again but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

jacqc51 I too love soapstone but when doing my kitchen remodel, the "experts" talked me out of it. Obviously they weren't experts. Everything I've read since has said the opposite. So don't be afraid as I was, go for it. It is beautiful. I do love my quartz also.

Amanda Simons Yay for soapstone! This article has confirmed my gut instinct toward this material. I can't wait until I can remodel my kitchen- my design includes a 5X7 soapstone island which is going to run me about $3000. But since I don't have to buy new appliances I feel like I can splurge there.

xerocada I have a very large island with a soapstone counter top (it was in the house when I bought it). Yes, it is impervious to stains and heat, but it's not attractive and I would love to replace it.

crdublu I used soapstone for a client's large island counter and it is not as dense and stainproof as you mention. It is not the dark gray but green and shows effervescing from anything citrus, vinegar and wine. We have applied sealer on it and it still stains. We have resorted to having it refinished and resurfaced about every 6 months.
On another job we used all soapstone counters, the dark gray variety, and used oil as a sealer. It would be absorbed differently in different areas and eventually had to be completely stripped because it became tacky to the touch. Again we have applied good sealers to help eleviate this issue.
Thus I am not sold on the product for most domestic situations.

freedomwarrior All the comments regarding the mining of soapstone...for goodness sake...God put all of His beautiful creations on this planet for us to USE! So use it!

idhindsight well this looks wonderful but where can you buy it?

departure: architecture planning interiors llc @idhindsight: Start by contacting your local stone counter supplier. Search for granite or marble suppliers, who will often carry many kinds of stone. If they don't carry it, they can likely point you towards someone who does. Alternatively, you can contact one of many soapstone suppliers (like Green Mountain Soapstone) and inquire about local distributors. Happy hunting! I have three clients with this in their kitchens, and they're all smitten!

olliek As two other commenters noted: soapstone is definitely NOT impenetrable or stainproof as the article states. In fact, it will readily stain, especially from oils. With the gray soapstones, the stains can be quite noticable and unattractive. Laboratory countertops that use soapstone have a varnish-type sealer applied to prevent this.....thus, the shininess of a lab counter versus the flat sheen of unsealed soapstone.

kfryk1 I have dark gray soapstone countertops and love them. The only downside is that it does chip and scratch easily especially along the edges. It can be sanded down. You also need to know that the look is not the shiny granite-like look but a duller finish. Oiling does give it a darker and more finished look. It does not stain at all and tolerates very hot pans.

tractormama I installed 12" x 12" soapstone tile on the kitchen and bath counters, instead of slabs, in my new house. Fabulous, bullet-proof material! The cost for material was $11.50 per square foot, including shipping! It is easy to cut and install. We used a tile saw, but one could use regular wood-working equipment with a diamond bit. The surface can get a little dried out with scrubbing and the mineral oil helps with that, but it isn't necessary. Soapstone is the most forgiving countertop I've ever been around, and it never goes out of style. I would post pix but DSL in my new rural area is too slow.

maggiesetler I used FireSlate in my kitchen (because I didn't want boring granite).
It showed every mark and scratch and I hated it!!!

I put up with it for 10 years --but when we put our house on the market the one thing I was advised to do was to replace the counter. I replaced it with granite. I like the look of FireSlate (and soapstone) but (boring) granite doesn't mark so I'm much happier with it.

beasgirl We have a summer home in Upstate New York and purchased the soapstone in Vermont - a tad on the green side. At first I oiled it and it looked fantastic - shiny and very rich looking. The only drawback was when I would wipe off crumbs, etc. from it, it was no longer shiney and looked streaked. Consequently, I decided to go "natural" and I LOVE IT!! It doesn't stain and is so easy to keep clean by just using a wet sponge or spraying a little Cinch on it and whhiping it off. That's all - Can't recommend it enough!.

davidlwilliamson Soapstone is very dense and impervious to liquids, even under pressure. It is chemically inert: it is not affected by alkalis or acids. Water and oils cause the surface of the stone to oxidize, thus the darkened appearance. There are several dry waxes available that will last longer than mineral oil.

dawnmattozzi Ugh! My dark soapstone countertops are a maintenance nightmare! Sure they look great but they have absorbed stains like crazy and I've had to have to have them rehoned and re-sealed after only 4 years of very light use (I use my house only a few weeks a year!) I would NEVER recommend soapstone countertops to anyone (unless you don't care about dark stains all over)

jacqc51 According to the soapstone experts I spoke to, for any stain wait a few days and the stain will evaporate.

kfryk1 yours must be a less dense quality because mine doesn't stain even with daily use. Oil will make it darker but that's why you oil it.

Latitude 38 We bought and installed our own local Central Virginia soapstone (from http://soapstoneventures.com/). They mainly sell slabs that were quarried years if not decades ago, so it is great environmentally. We did not put a sealer on the slabs and oil stains are very prominent until you rub them in and/or put on a whole coat of mineral oil, which makes them dark and beautiful. Over time they will just get better. A bit soft, but I like that we live 40 minutes from the mountain where the stone comes from (Charlottesville).

departure: architecture planning interiors llc @laurenprato: Did you mean 'silestone'? If so, silestone (and other engineered quartz counters) fares well with mold as the resin makes the material non-porous, and thus there aren't nooks and crannies to play host to bacteria (as long as the surface is properly cleaned). Soapstone, which is also non-porous, works the same way, leaving it mold-resistant too.

Jennifer Lamson I have soapstone countertops and I love them. Natural oils will show up but if you oil your countertop with mineral oil that won't be a problem. I oil them about every other month. After oiling I wipe them down with a dry rag. Nothing bothers them! There's no work to keeping them cleaned and they don't streak when you clean them like polished granite does. They are spectacular.

wildturkey450 Well I have to disagree with most of the comments about soapstone here. I've had soapstone as a sink and countertop in a bathroom for about 25 years. It came from Vermont and has a light grey color which I mineral oiled because I wanted a darker color. Whenever a soap solution hits the oiled countertop or sink, it lifts the oil from the soapstone and allows the light grey color to show through. If one doesn't keep up with the oiling, the soapstone gets a mottled look and to my eyes, appears dirty. And everytime one really cleans the soapstone, it needs re-oiled. The manufacturer says keep an oiled rag under the sink for touch-ups--that should tell you something. If you like soapstone, get a color you can live with without oiling but I still don't see how you can keep oils from cooking and hand washing from marring the color of the soapstone. I oil at least once a week and sometimes more.

Shirley Corwin I live in an 1850 house. When I had my kitchen renovated they tried to talk me into granite but I'm so glad I held my ground for soapstone. It is the perfect look for a century house. I've had it 3 years and it is wonderful. Doesn't stain, and you can set the hottest pots on there right off the stove. It does scratch which adds to the aged look. But the scratches almost disappear with a little dab of oil. There are waxes out there for soapstone now that last longer than mineral oil. I hardly ever do anything to mine now after 3 years. My soapstone counters are one of the most precious things in my home!!!

wildturkey450 A little dab of oil--hard to believe!

susanbosch who is the manufacturer of that beautiful brass faucet?

Haskell Design We have added soapstone counters to four high-end client kitchens and to our own cabin and home. LOVE them and prefer over anything else. Dream to take care of...

wildturkey450 I can only say that I bought my soapstone from a highly reputable dealer in VT. I am truthfully reporting what I have experienced with my soapstone in the 25 years of ownership. So I guess it is safe to say that not all soapstone is created equal and let the buyer beware.

morgana44 Interesting ideabook and as usual a great discussion based on experience.

bklipping Rather than just mineral oil, try mixing 1/3 mineral oil and 2/3 bees wax on light heat. Last way longer than mineral oil alone and feels and smells awesome. Don't attempt to seal Soapstone as it is not porous enough for the seal to hold. That may be why stains are showing, the seal is coming up inconsistently. Be careful with the soft surface – we have a couple indentations from opening wine bottles on the counters but decided to leave them to show some age in our 1920s house. They could easily be sanded out. One thing I love is how thick they are – no need for fake bull-nose which looks great around a farmhouse sink. If you want a consistent shinny look search elsewhere. If you want authenticity and natural patina soapstone is a good option.

wildturkey450 I appreciate the advice about the mineral oil/ bees wax combo but life is too short to spend time maintaining a countertop. I'd rather be spending my valuable time in my garden.

Amanda Simons @ xerocada- If you ever get rid of it, let me know! :)

trntogl We're preparing a project for doing our kitchen right now, wish we could afford soapstone and even find it!!! We're in Sonoma, can't find too much of anything except typical Home Depot granite/quartz/laminate etc. but the granite will work, absolute black it is.

apennameandthata I'm going to get soapstone and I love Houzz. But, if soapstone really was inert and impervious, then it would not darken over time.

davidlwilliamson It is inert and impervious. Soapstone is a very dense metamorphic rock. The stone darkens due to oxidation. I suggest you do a little research on the net or discuss the matter with a chemist. It is a wonderful countertop material, and I hope that you will be as pleased with yours as I have been with mine.

apennameandthata @davidwilliamson, from the online dictionary:

in·ert (n-ûrt)
adj.
1. Unable to move or act.
2. Sluggish in action or motion; lethargic. See Synonyms at inactive.
3. Chemistry Not readily reactive with other elements; forming few or no chemical compounds

Oxidation is a chemical reaction. I'm not sure the point you're trying to make. You might be saying that it only reacts SLOWLY with oxygen to oxidise. But that would be misleading because it seems to react more quickly than other materials because they do not darken with time. For example I have stainless steel at home and it has not rusted/oxidised at all. Stating the same thing differently, part of soapstone's charm is that it is not inert and that it oxidises over time and becomes darker.

I do not know what I would ask a chemist and I think I have done enough research on the net. Please enlighten me about how it can be right to call this bench top inert when it changes colour more than other bench tops.

ALPINE CONSTRUCTION i like

memama Thanks for the photo above! We're considering soapstone with a dark veined marble backsplash. Choosing the countertop has been the toughest decision during our house build.

Debra Jessup I've read all the comments and I'm more confused now than ever. We saw a soapstone counter at a home store in Honolulu. We thought the look was perfect. I have a shinny granite now and it's horrible with streaks and water stains. Can anyone post a picture of what the water or oil stains on the soapstone counters look like? I would leave it natural. I'm not sure I want to be oiling all the time. However, I do have to clean the granite with a special cleaner EVERY time I wipe it down. Pics anyone?

xiaos Michelle- have you used soapstone grout in your projects before? (crushed soapstone mixed with expoxy grout) If so, curious to get your opinion on it. Thanks!

momo5 Actually I think you may have it wrong. Green hues do not necessarily mean a softer soapstone- actually the stones with green undertones are usually more dense and harder. Look at Julia, Belvedere and many other harder varieties and you will usually find a hint of green. The Moh's scale is a better indication of stone denseness and therefore hardness. Do a little research and find a quality fabricator who can give you more education into soapstone hardness and you will find the beautiful soapstone that meets your needs.
Lori

nagoose We have soapstone in our kitchen and opted to leave it unoiled. We liked the grey green look rather than the black, oiled soapstone look and I really didn't want to oil it.

After it was installed I was surprised to see that any oil spills will darken our unoiled countertop, but of course it does since people generally oil their soapstone countertop to darken it. To combat the oil "stains" I put some diluted dish soap in a spray bottle and spray it on the oil stain and leave it for a half hour or longer. It does not matter if it dries out. Then I come back and wash the soap off and that gets rid of the stain.

Or you can put blue painter's tape on it for a few hours and that removes the oil too.

So they say that it is non porous and does not stain. I would have to say that this is true. Any oil does not wash off with water or even with a soapy rag. But if you leave a puddle of soapy water on it the stain seems to rise to the top and washes away.

I would say that our unoiled soapstone countertop is a bit high maintenance just because of the oil "stains" that I have to clean, but it looks and feels so nice, so organic or natural. It's an extra step, but not a big one really. It depends if you use a lot of oil in your cooking! And how much the stains bother you.

Conversely, some people who have oiled their soapstone countertop run into problems with water stains. If you leave anything wet on the countertop, the countertop will lighten in colour or turn back to grey, eg, a grey ring mark from a wet glass. Some people say that after time and after oiling it this does not happen after a while. I don't know since we are keeping ours grey and unoiled.

Our soapstone sink is all blotchy and dark with oil stains, but it doesn't bother me. I don't bother with trying to get it pristine since it will always turn black from washing up oily pots, etc. after a while you just kind of appreciate how variable it is. And if I don't clean the countertop with soapy water well enough the oil blends in and you don't know if it is a stain or the natural variation of the countertop.

The feel of soapstone is really nice. I don't like the glassy feel and look of granite or quartz. It does not seem so natural compared to soapstone since granite and quartz is so glass-like or so polished.

After all is said and done I would have to say I still love our soapstone countertops warts and all. If you like an unpolished countertop, soapstone is good for that. But if you want your countertop to look pristine you had better look at something else.

Somerset Interior Design Trntogl, check out Terresina Soapstone in Rocklin, just outside Sacramento. Gorgeous showroom, and they can recommend a fabricator in your area.

cloudcity Soapstone is not the right counter for people who like everything to look pristine all the time. We have had soapstone in our kitchen for 2 years now. At first we oiled it religiously to keep it black, but then gradually let it dry out so that now it is somewhere in the middle, sort of a dark grey. It does stain to black if you splash some oil on it, and it fades to a lighter grey around the sink where it comes into contact with soapy water on a regular basis. It will retain ring stains from glasses of water or steamy pan lids being placed on it. All that said, I love it. It looks used and lived in but still beautiful in the way that only a natural material can. It's like having an old piece of wood furniture with a few dings in it versus an Ikea dresser with perfect veneer that looks terrible at the first sign of wear.

And if you like to bake and cook, the ability to put a hot pan or tray anywhere in your kitchen is amazing. Soapstone all the way.

oldblackdog In a former bungalow type home, we reused soapstone salvaged from an old laboratory for the bathroom counter - the only cutout was for the sink, the full length went from wall to wall. The place and bath were rustic and the counter was a great touch - actually literally a great touch - I agree with other posts that it had a wonderful hand feel - satiny. I like that it isn't shiny and reflective. But it's a casual look whenleft natural.

jmolson525 I have had soapstone counters/sink for 10 years and have mixed feelings. It only looks good with my cabinets when oiled and very black. But when it's black, EVERY CRUMB is highly visible, even 2 or 3 can make the counter look dirty. If you are someone who likes things looking pristine, I would steer away from dark, solid countertops no matter what they're made of. PS my wonderful cook of a husband loves the counters and thinks I am nuts.

mcmai only some varieties will show water marks if you oil it, apparently. see http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0815275631359.html for detailed discussion. our kitchen had it installed 13 years ago and it looks great still, we basically do nothing except wipe it down occasionally with a little soap, but we often ignore clear liquid spills for hours, no problem. a couple times we've had whitish marks (efflorescence?) that didn't come out for a long time, and then they finally did; not sure if acidic liquid caused it as one online comment suggests. some chips on the edges from previous owners (ours is the soft, green kind) are the only real downside. it was probably oiled in the past, but not in the year we've lived with it, except when we get cooking oil on it by mistake, and that doesn't seem to be an issue. the somewhat dull surface is good camouflage if you don't like to clean constantly.

wildturkey450 SINCE SOAPSTONE SEEMS TO HAVE SO MANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES, WHY NOT CHOOSE ANOTHER MATERIAL THAT COMES CLOSE TO MIMICIKING SOAPSTONE WITH LESS PROBLEMS?

ellielouwho Over the past 50 yrs, I have lived in 2 apartments and 10 homes. I've never personally had soapstone but my grandmother did in her 1800s farmhouse. She had little time for fuss and thus I never saw her oiling her counters and sink or fussing over them in any way save simply wiping them clean with her dish cloth. It always looked very mottled and not something I would want. I lived with marble in a bathroom counter and once again, the upkeep was just extra work I didn't need while raising 4 children and holding a full time job. I lived with granite and hated it. Proper upkeep was ridiculous and you never could tell whether it was a dead fly on it, a large burnt toast crumb or part of the natural design. Small coffee drips and other food spills were also covered by the natural markings. I want to be able to LOOK at a kitchen counter and tell whether or not it is relatively clean without flies or other bugs hidden by the design. Now, many of you will ridicule me here but take me right back to the days of Formica or whatever the generic name for it is. It's ONLY drawback is that you can't put a scalding hot frying pan on it and you should use a cutting board. Otherwise one can choose from every color under the sun and every imaginable design as well. I can easily remove stains, even from pure white and I choose pale colors on which I can easily determine its cleanliness. I do not know about the use of bleach on all these other counter possibilities but there is no damage done from bleaching a laminated counter. Lastly, if you want a far less expensive alternative to granite OR soapstone, I guarantee you can find a laminate that will fool all but the most discerning eye. Now I'll sit back and listen to the muffled laughter and read the opposing opinions, all with good humor.

wildturkey450 I'm not sure one can assume that the old chemistry lab counters were soapstone. In researching someone stated that up until the 1980's most of these old counters were composed of asbestos fibers. I've also read a number of people refer to these old lab counters as made of a resin material. Does anyone know for sure? Any old chemistry lab teachers out there?

jaayno We are in Northern California. Bought our soapstone from a dealer in SF. It was pricey and there is a crack in it now. I know we can have it repaired, but it is so fine, I don't see any reason to do so right now. It is beautiful, but VERY soft. We have several nicks and scratches and it has only been about two years. Do not use this product if you are a perfectionist....you will freak out with every nick and scratch...and we have the gray/black marbled type.

bubblyjock I brought home a soapstone sample to play with for the weekend. The dealer says they can cut a 96" x 25" slab into two 48" x 25" slabs and sit them together to give me an approx 48" x 48" square for an island and I won't even see or notice the seam.

Given soapstone's famed "softness," what do you reckon: will I notice the seam? I won't be oiling the soapstone, but leaving it natural, stains and all. I'm more concerned that, because it's so soft, the seam will begin to chip, and then becomes a nuisance to keep clean. This will be the surface I'll use for rolling out pasta, pastry, etc, so I'm suspecting I'll get thoroughly fed up with cleaning flour and so on out of the seam.

nagoose Re: Seams

You should have a look at examples of seams by your fabricator. Our seams are practically undetectable. But if the fabricator does not have the right equipment the seam might not be seamless!

If you leave the countertop unoiled, the seam will show, but since you are rolling pastries on it, oil will "stain" or darken the countertop and will make a good seam virtually undetectable.

After it is glued together and sanded a good seam will be flat and should not chip - only as much as the rest of the countertop.

Good luck!

judysai422 I have soapstone too and while I love the look, I was not happy when the edge chipped so easily. In response to oiling, the oil does not penetrate... It simply sits on top. The more sun the slab gets, the faster it evaporates. I try to oil mine Avery week or so. When newly oiled, it is not a good place to put purses, papers, etc. helps me be less messy!

Tenant Proof ellielouwho I am right there with you. It may be beautiful when new and perfect but the maintenance is too much. We have an old fashioned unfitted kitchen and the white Formica counters work well even for kneading bread which we do several times a week. Our granite looking laminate counter is both a pain and a blessing. because I can't tell when it needs wiping because it hides things so well. The only thing I don't like Formica for is around the kitchen sink area, here I choose a double drainboard sink with integral backsplash.

michee627 Mineral oil evens out any marks. Clearly ifs real oil makes it darker then oil will leave a darker spot until you clean it wig mild soapy water and then even it out with mineral oil. Doesn't stain. Have two little kids. Love it. Love it. However. Does scratch so if you want perfect get granite