Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is a natural surface material offered by Creative In Counters. Since it’s completely natural, it can be a rarer material for countertops. Soapstone countertops are steatite stone, containing dolomite, magnesite, and chlorite. It has a rustic appearance, bringing a unique element to your kitchen.

As far as colors go, soapstone is prominently available in whites and grays. Some have hints of other colors throughout. Soapstone also darkens over time, so it’s important to consider this when you’re choosing a color for your kitchen. One of the best things about soapstone is that it’s truly unique. But this does mean that you won’t find two slabs that are exactly the same. There will always be some differences.

A Durable Material

Porosity is one of the biggest factors to consider when you’re choosing your countertop material. If the countertop is porous, liquids left on the surface can seep down through the material. Staining liquids like wine or coffee can immediately stain the material before you get a chance to wipe it off. Porous countertops can even lead to bacteria and fungus growth. Soapstone is non-porous, so these things aren’t an issue.

Soapstone is one of the more durable natural stone countertop materials. It doesn’t crack easily and is harder to break than some other natural stones. It doesn’t stain either, which is something else you don’t have to worry about. However, it is a soft stone. While it doesn’t crack easily, it does scratch easily.

On the hardness scale, soapstone rates somewhere around marble, much softer than quartz. But while it isn’t as hard as quartz, it’s very dense, giving it more stability and reliability for your needs.

It’s natural to sometimes be setting hot things down on the kitchen counter. Usually we have to scramble for a pot holder to set down to be safe. But soapstone is resistant to heat. You don’t have to worry about discoloration or damage to your countertop if you set something hot on it.

It Makes Things Easy

Natural stone countertops are usually harder to install than their man-made counterparts. But soapstone is one of the easiest to install. The cost of installation is less than other natural stones. However, you do pay a bit more for the stone itself, due to the rarity and the benefits it provides.

Soapstone is easy to clean and maintain as well. You don’t have to frequently seal the material because it’s non-porous and doesn’t require it. All you need to use to clean it is a mild soap and soft sponge. While it doesn’t need to be sealed, it does have to be oiled regularly to maintain its signature look.

A Good Return on Investment

When you’re building or renovating your home, this is always something you want to keep in the back of your mind. If you ever want to sell in the future, you want to keep adding to the equity of your home. Soapstone offers a high return on investment, increasing your home’s value. You may even have a 50% return on investment with your soapstone countertops down the road.

Taking Care of Your Soapstone Countertop

As with any countertop material, you have to take care of it in the proper way to ensure it has a long lifetime. The soapstone darkens over time, taking around 7-9 months to reach its full patina. Use mineral oil to help enhance the patina during the progression. Apply mineral oil every week or two and ensure you rub it in thoroughly. It helps to even it out and make the finished result more uniform.

When the patina is finished, you only need to add mineral oil maybe 1-2 times a year. If the appearance of your countertop looks dry, mineral oil helps make it beautiful again. It gives it back the sheen it had when you first got it.

Certain products claim to be able to seal your soapstone surface so that it doesn’t darken. But since this material is non-porous, these products can’t actually soak through and guarantee that. If you worry about this, the product will need to be applied at least 1-2 times a month.

You only need a soft sponge or dishrag and mild soap when you need to clean the countertop.