SOAPSTONE

Although soft, soapstone is a very dense (non-porous) stone, more so than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. Since soapstone is impenetrable, it will not stain, no liquid will permeate its surface. As a result, soapstone is commonly used for kitchen countertops, sinks, and fireplaces.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOAPSTONE

Soapstone has been used for centuries in our homes, it’s also the countertop of choice in our science labs. This is a simple and subtle stone which conveys grounding and harmony, and truly emits old world charm.

Soapstone is a softer variety of dimension stone, and is not known for particularly high abrasion or scratch resistance, yet it is used in flooring and countertop products. Soapstone is highly heat resistant, and has frequently been used in fireplace surrounds. The colors of soapstone are rich and beautiful, 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 soft and warm to the touch. It’s smooth, slippery, and silky. It is a traditional and old fashioned natural stone. Charming, rustic, and rich looking yet versatile enough to fit comfortably within the modern home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Soapstone is non-porous, so it does not need to be sealed. Mineral oil should be applied every month or so keep a uniform color, but this provides no additional protection or functional purpose. Non-porous stones don’t absorb liquids, so they do not stain or etch in the same way an unsealed porous stone would.​

Yes. Soapstone is one of the most heat-resistant stone available. You can place hot pots and pans directly on the stone with little to no risk of cracking or discoloration.  In technical terms, it has a low modulus of thermal expansion.

Soapstone is a softer stone that granite or marble. Scratches do happen. Soapstone is composed of talc which is soft, but dense. So while soapstone does scratch and dent easily, it is also resilient. Many scratches can be repaired by applying mineral oil, or by sanding. If you want to retain a pristine countertop, soapstone is not a good choice. If you like a more worn look and a natural antique patina that develops over time, you will enjoy soapstone. For many soapstone owners, scratches, nicks and imperfections are part of the stone’s charm.

Soapstone costs about the same as most granite and marble options, though slightly more expensive than mass produced quartz and low-end granite. Pricing varies based on availability, the thickness of the stone, the uniqueness of the stone slab, the number of slabs required to create your layout, and the number of cuts that need to be made in the stone.

Using mineral oil is not “required”, but suggested for most homeowners. New soapstone countertops will darken naturally over time. Applying mineral oil helps to expedite the process. The oil will give your stone a more uniform color across the surface. It will also help darken the stone. Untreated soapstone may have darker spots and patterns, particularly around the sink, cooktop and heavily used areas, which may stand out compared to the rest of the countertop. Oil minimizes this difference in tone and darkens the stone more evenly.

If you decide to use mineral oil, new countertops can be oiled every 2-3 weeks. Over time oil can be applied less often. How often depends on how much use your kitchen gets, but every few months is common. Oiling is more about the look you want to achieve, so you’ll have to use your own discretion. Oil can also help reduce the visibility of scratches and imperfections on the stone’s surface.

Soapstone is non-porous, so it naturally resists liquids and foods that can cause stains. You can clean soapstone with a mixture of warm water and a mild dish detergent. Use a rag or sponge to apply the soap mixture, and then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap. The stone can air dry, or you can use a soft towel. Unlike marble and granite, soapstone is not damaged by acid foods and cleaners, or by ammonia based products, so you can use household cleaners if needed.

Soapstone will experience more scratching, as well as general wearing because of it is a softer stone. It is common for sharp corners to wear down when compared to granite or quartz. For many people the natural patina and wearing are part of the stone’s charm. Most wearing can be repaired by oiling, or light sanding. It is a very resilient stone, so even with the wear and tear, most soapstone countertops last for generations. ​

Soapstone is a versatile stone, often used for countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, table tops, showers, floors and for accent pieces.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?

Get in touch with one of our stone experts to have all your questions about this material answered.

MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS

ABRASION RESISTANCE

Low

Soapstone is a softer stone that granite or marble coming in around 1-2 on the Moh’s Scale of Relative Hardness. Scratches do happen. Soapstone is composed of talc which is soft, but dense. So while soapstone does scratch and dent easily, it is also resilient. Many scratches can be repaired by applying mineral oil, or by sanding.

ABSORPTION/STAINING

Low

Soapstone is non-porous, which means it doesn’t have all of those little nooks and crannies for liquids to seep into. Which means it won’t stain! So when your toddler gets really excited about their red juice drink or their finger paints, it’s no big deal. Just spritz on a bit of household cleaner and wipe the mess away.

ACID SENSITIVITY

Minimal

Soapstone is chemically inert natural stone, which means it is neither acidic or alkaline. In household terms, it means you don’t have worry about whether foods or cleaners are acidic because soapstone counters won’t react to them. Use whichever cleaners you want, and don’t worry if you slosh lemon juice; your counters will be just fine.

HEAT RESISTANCE

High

Soapstone counters are heat-resistant enough that you can pull dishes out of the oven and put them straight onto the countertop without worrying that your counters will melt or discolor. Your soapstone counters will simply absorb that heat and slowly release it back to the surrounding air. This is also what makes soapstone great for fireplaces.

What Our Customers Say

Our experience with Delta Granite has been a terrific one. Not knowing much about the process, I felt that Conrad was very thorough in explaining everything. The installation was great also. They did a great job. Thanks for a very calm and not stressful time.

Mark K., San Antonio, TX
I hired Delta Granite and Marble, Inc. to do work on my bathroom and to install kitchen counters. I was definitely entirely pleased with their service, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others! They were very well-prepared and they have a very fair price. Everything was completed properly and on time, and there were never any problems, at all. Thank you, Delta Granite and Marble, Inc.! Great work!
Caroline G., Boerne, TX
First of all, let me say that I thought Delta Granite and Marble, Inc.did a very good job in the installation and I think they really worked diligently to get me on their project schedule. We were kind of against a deadline and they worked very diligently to accommodate us, which we really appreciated. The quality of the work was excellent and the gentleman who did the installation was polite, he was clean in the way how he expedited the work and he cleaned up nicely afterwords. I would also like to mention that we have used them for gosh, at least 4 projects previously, so we are returning customers and it’s not like we are basing this off of a 1 time service, we are actually say that they are very good, they are thorough and the quality of their work is excellent from start to completion, which is also very good because they clean up well. It’s very nice to see somebody that takes pride in their work in the way that they do and they are also very nice people.
Sam B., San Antonio, TX

SOAPSTONE GALLERY

Here are a few of our favorite soapstone installations, click the images to learn more about each project. For our full gallery of projects click the button.