About Soapstone

What Is Soapstone?

What is it about soapstone counter tops that we love? It's soft and warm to the touch. It's smooth and slippery yet silky. This stone is a traditional and old fashioned natural stone with a warm and inviting look.

Charming, rustic, and rich looking yet versatile enough to fit comfortably within a modern home. Soapstone has been used for centuries in our homes. It's also the counter top of choice in our science labs. This is a simple and subtle stone which conveys grounding and harmony. It emits old world charm.

What is it about soapstone colors? They're rich and beautiful. The colors convey calmness. From ash gray to smoky blue-grays to a rich charcoal black. Some stones have flecks of green and blue and contrasting veins twisting throughout the stone.

Soapstone is a natural stone which consists mainly of talc and chlorite.
There are actually TWO TYPES of soapstone.

1. Artistic Soapstone - The artistic soapstone is used for carvings & sculptures and contains a higher talc content.


2. Architectural Soapstone - Also known as steatite, this type is used for architectural purposes... counter tops, sinks, and vanities. Architectural soapstone contains a lesser amount of talc.

The more talc the stone contains, the softer the stone is.

Soapstone is unaffected by acids contained in items such as wine, lemons, colas, vinegar, etc. Special cleaners aren't required either. Any household cleaner will do!

About soapstone weight... this is a very dense stone. Soapstone weighs an average of 20 lbs. per square foot! It's a nonporous stone and will not absorb liquids and stains like other natural stones will.

It's also heat resistant. Setting a hot pot on your soapstone counter top won't scorch it or burn it. In fact, some cookware is made of soapstone.

If you put in a soapstone counter top, don't cut on it. Soapstone is soft. It's so soft it can be scratched with a fingernail.

Over time, the edges will soften and you'll start to see small nicks, scratches, and indentations. If you like the aged antique look, the patina of this natural stone might be perfect for you. It will age gradually and gracefully.

If you don't care for the small nicks and scratches, a little mineral oil or a light sanding will smooth out the stone.

Why Use Mineral Oil?

• To enhance and deepen the color. The stones' color becomes more dramatic.
• To darken the stone evenly.
• To bring out its natural beauty.
• To get rid of light scratches.

You don't have to use mineral oil. Soapstone will eventually take on its own patina with time and use. It will darken with age. Usually it takes about a year to realize the full depth of color of your soapstone.

What Is Soapstone Used For?

It has a variety of uses. Soapstone is best known for it's heat retention. It's used extensively for fireplace wood stoves, masonry fireplaces, fireplace liners, and pizza ovens.

It's also used for sinks, countertops, island tops, chess sets, sills, flooring, and shower stalls.

It's used for mixing bowls, carvings, sculptures, benches, and planters.

Soapstone comes in the form of slabs or tiles. What is it about soapstone that makes it easy to work with? It's a soft stone and that means it's easy to carve and to work with.

It will develop it's own unique patina based on you and your lifestyle.

It's a soft stone, softer than other natural stones. But it doesn't burn, it isn't porous, it won't stain, and acids won't etch it. Soapstone will last many lifetimes.

ADD Shine

ERASE Scratches

Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

REPAIR Etch Marks

You'll find More Info On Soapstone Below:

• Do you know how to hire a quality soapstone contractor? Here's a step by step guide.
• What are the benefits of a soapstone counter top?
  We came up with OVER twenty benefits!
• AND finally, a few FUN soapstone facts.

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