Soapstone

Soapstone is a substance known for its soft, silky texture and wide range of natural colors. It has been used to create everything from quality cookware to enormous temples and statues. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why many prefer to use soapstone for their countertops and sinks as well.

Why should you choose soapstone for your kitchen or bathroom? For one, its range of colors and pleasant texture make it a welcome addition to any home. Better still, it’s surface is nonporous as well, which means that not only is it resistant toward food stains, but it also means that water can’t penetrate it, thus effectively eliminating any chances of mildew or mold forming

Soapstone is also known for being heat resistant, making it ideal for kitchens with hot ovens. Many even use soapstone to build their fireplaces due to its tendency to not only withstand immense heat, but disperse it evenly as well. This allows you to work with hot dishes, pots, and pans without worry of accidentally scorching or staining your countertop. Unlike other stones, you can actually set a sizzling pot or pan directly on your soapstone counters without having to hunt for a heating pad.

Many mistakenly believe that soapstone is a soft substance. Don’t be fooled by its name or its texture. Believe it or not, in comparison to other stones such as granite or limestone, soapstone is actually much harder and denser, resulting in a countertop that will last for ages.

Best of all, unlike other surfaces, soapstone is not vulnerable toward certain chemicals or acids. This means that you are free to use everything from acidic foods and drinks to common household chemicals without fear of bleaching, staining, or damaging your stone.

When it comes to performing maintenance on your soapstone counters, you only have a few small tasks ahead. While you don’t need to apply sealers to this stone, you will want to apply regular coats of mineral oil to its surface. This will darken the stone and keep it looking fantastic.

With regular coatings, the dark color will become permanent. To keep your color looking great, it’s ideal to stick with soap and water when washing. While chemical solutions won’t harm the stone itself, it may strip the mineral oil, resulting in fading. Additionally, you can easily remove any scratches by simply rubbing at them with sandpaper.

Whether you’re building a new kitchen or bathroom or want to replace your old counters and other stone surfaces with something that is beautiful and build to last, soapstone surfaces are an ideal choice.