Soapstone

This is the softest stone that scratches easily. However, light sanding and/or mineral oil can remove these scratches easily. Although soft, it is very dense and does not require sealing. The mineral oil or soapstone wax can be used for a darker, aged look, but it is not necessary.

Soapstone

This is the softest stone that scratches easily. However, light sanding and/or mineral oil can remove these scratches easily. Although soft, it is very dense and does not require sealing. The mineral oil or soapstone wax can be used for a darker, aged look, but it is not necessary.

Why Choose Soapstone?

Soapstone offers a unique combination of natural beauty and heavy-duty resilience.

  • Chemical & Stain Resistant

    Soapstone is a very dense, nonporous stone. In laboratories, it is unaffected by acids and alkalis. In kitchens, it is not stained or altered by tomatoes, wine, vinegar, grape juice, and other common food items.

  • Nonporous & No Sealing Required

    Soapstone is naturally dense and nonporous, so it does not require sealing to protect against everyday spills and moisture. Unlike more porous natural stones, it is highly resistant to staining and can be easily maintained with simple cleaning.

  • Pliable & Crack Resistant

     Because it is a softer stone, it yields slightly under pressure, making it much more resistant to cracking than rigid materials.

Care and Maintenance

While incredibly durable against chemicals and heat, soapstone is a soft rock and is easily scratched in countertop use. For example, preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it. It is not suitable for use as a workbench top where it will receive rough treatment or where sharp, abrasive objects will be placed upon it.

  • Do I need to seal soapstone?

    No. We do not recommend sealing soapstone. Sealers are intended to seal porous stones like marble and granite, which can stain. Because soapstone is dense and nonporous, it does not need to be sealed.

  • How do I treat scratches and color changes?

    We recommend treatment with mineral oil if consistent surface darkening is desired. Without treatment, soapstone will naturally darken in uneven regions around the surface areas most frequently used. If you do get a scratch, a gentle sanding and treatment with mineral oil will easily remove shallow scratches.

Ideal Applications

The special properties of soapstone make it suitable, or the material of choice, for a wide variety of unique uses. Common applications include:


  • Kitchen & Laboratory Countertops
  • Sinks
  • Fireplace Surrounds, Hearths & Woodstoves
  • Facing Stone

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