Buying Kitchen Countertops: What You Should Know about Soapstone | Soapstone International, Inc.

Buying Kitchen Countertops: What You Should Know about Soapstone

Soapstone is elegant, but can also add a boldness to any decor. With its light gray surface and subtle veins, soapstone merges old-world charm with modern beauty. Hot pans won't damage the stone, lemon and tomato juice won't discolor it, and it highly sanitary. Homeowners use this stone in several decor styles such as contemporary, country, traditional and french.

What Is Soapstone? 

Soapstone is also known as steatite or soaprock, and consists of metamorphic rock. It is composed primarily of talc, as well as magnesium, mica, quartz, chlorite and iron. These natural stones were made over time and under extreme pressure, due to the harsh enviroment, soapstone is extrememly durable, with standing heat up to 2000 degrees and will not discolor or stain.

View Soapstone Kitchen Countertops

A beautiful and industructable stone, meant for your home!

Considerations When Choosing Soapstone Countertops

Highlights of Soapstone

Destinct texture and color. Smooth surface. Will not permantly stain. Not affected by acids. Inhibits bacteria. Long lasting.

Cons of Soapstone

Can Sratch or dent but can be fixed with 220 grit sand paper. Requires regular maintenance.

Costs / Maintenance

$60 to $90 per square foot, installed. Wipe with soft cloth and warm water daily. Mild household cleaners work well.

Thickness and Edges. Most manufacturers of soapstone recommend an inch and a quarter thick countertops. Seams are virtually invisible. Preferred edge options include squared, eased, beveled, bullnose, radius and double radius.

Care and Maintenance. Unlike other stones, soapstone won't absorb stains and discolorations, so it simply doesn't require sealers. Stains and blemishes are only skin deep and can be removed with gentle sanding. Applications of mineral oil will remove most scratches. Light gray soapstone darkens over time, accentuating its gray veining. Regular applications of mineral oil enhance its beauty.

Wipe the countertop with a soft cloth and warm water. Mild household cleansers are suitable. Soapstone benefits from regular applications of mineral oil and will darken over time.

The Bottom Line. An age-old option, soapstone is at home in any style, from traditional to contemporary. Soft to the touch, the surface ages gracefully and lasts for years.

The Indestructable Kitchen Countertop - Soapstone | Soapstone International, Inc.

The Indestructable Kitchen Countertop - Soapstone

If you spent any time in high school chemistry class, you probably remember the black indistructable countertop. Those countertops were made of soapstone. It had to be indistructable if fire, chemicals and rowdy school children we involved. Soapstone has been a must have in science labs for ages because it's extremely durable and impervious to virtually all chemicals. Yes even battery acid! 


Your soapstone countertop weither in your indoor or outdoor kitchen, bathroom or whatever room you envision a soapstone countertop in, will with stand any heat, liquid or chemical that it comes into contact with. Many homeowners use soapstone for countertops, fireplace mantels, bathroom showers and bath tubs, sinks and back splashes. The list goes on, if you can think it, we can do it.

Unlike granite and marble, it's nonporous and chemically neutral, so problem spills - red wine, lemon acid, tomato sauce, olive oil, and such - just aren't a problem. The stone is also temperature neutral, so red hot cookware placed on top won't even phase the stone. This is why more homeowners prefer soapstone over granite or other stones.

Soapstone Countertops Sizes

& Pricing Options

For kitchen and bathroom soapstone countertops, we recommend using 
1 1/4" thick soapstone which, unlike thinner material, doesn't require a sub-base on your cabinets. 

Most backsplash soapstone material is made of 1-1/4" thick soapstone.

Generally, our slabs run 30" x 84", be aware that slabs longer than seven feet require more than one piece, which means there will be a seam. When done properly, seams are virtually invisible.

For exact estimates, please contact us at info@soapstonintl.com

Granite vs. Soapstone for a Kitchen or Bathroom Countertop? | Soapstone International, Inc.

Soapstone International, Inc. - Soapstone is often, widely misunderstood. What is Soapstone? Should I use soapstone in my bathroom or kitchen? We have the answers to many questions people commonly ask us about Soapstone. 

Q: Is Soapstone too soft of a stone to use for a kitchen or bathroom countertop? 
No. Soapstone is not too soft of a stone for your kitchen or bathroom countertop. SSoapstone is often for carving and sculpture. The carving Soapstone is much softer and comes in more colors than the hard architectural Soapstone that is used for countertops. Soapstone is often used for carving and sculpture, and this may throw people off, too. But this is a different, softer type of soapstone, not the countertop material soapstone. 

Q: Why is it called soapstone? 
Soapstone, Soaprock, also known as Steatite has a high amount of the mineral talc and is rich in magnesium. A very long time ago it was decided that Soapstone feels much like a bar of soap to the touch. Hence the name.Soapstone is also known by other names depending on the region where it is from.   


Q: Soapstone vs. Granite—which should I choose? 
It depends on your needs, but let's mention one strong feature of soapstone: it is nearly impervious to staining. Many people feel granite is best type of kitchen or bathroom countertop material available, although, this reputation is largely unfounded because granite can stain very easily. On other hand, Soapstone is very dense and resists staining, altogether! Few other countertop materials can claim this.

Q: What does Soapstone look like? 
Soapstone varies in color and veining, depending on the soapstone slab you purchase. It's one of a kind! Which makes it unique - no one will have your same soapstone countertop look! View our current Inventory of Soapstone.  

Q: Does soapstone scratch and dent?  

Yes, Soapstone like other countertops can scratch or dent. The difference is that Soapstone 

Is not harmed by a scratch, chip or dent. It can be easily and quickly repaired or oiled/waxed 

to cover.  Anytime you want to make your countertop look like the day of installation, you would 

Lightly sand the entire surface and it will become the original color again. The counter will look new and you can oil/wax the surface of the Soapstone to darken.

Q: Do you need to seal soapstone? 

No. Soapstone should never be sealed. It is inert and sealed by nature. Oil or wax can be applied to enhance the colors already present on the surface. The oil/wax causes the surface to darken becoming black or charcoal gray in the background while the veining and anomalies become very visible against the darker color.  Oiling/waxing is not necessary to preserve Soapstone and it will darken with age gradually. Soapstone seems to love oil/wax and so whenever it comes in contact with oil/wax it darkens. Some persons choose to never oil, allowing Soapstone to patinate slowly and comfortably in its own environment without enhancement.

Q: What color is soapstone? 

Soapstone is a light to charcoal gray in its raw form. With oiling/waxing it will become a deeper charcoal gray to black in the background highlighting the veins and other swirls and ribbons of white, cream, caramel, green and brown in a beautiful way. It seems to say "I am Soapstone".

Q: Are soapstone countertops hard to install? 

Not for an experienced Soapstone fabricator. Some persons decide to go with the DIY route 

with Soapstone. This is fine under certain circumstances. Keep in mind that Soapstone weighs nearly 20 pounds per square foot so will be very heavy to maneuver. Soapstone International will be happy to recommend a skilled and experienced Soapstone fabricator in your area.

Q: Where can I purchase soapstone slabs for my countertops? 

Soapstone International, Inc.  has a selection of Soapstone slabs for purchase by the public.

We have a location in North San Diego County and Anaheim in Orange County.

Click Here to get a FREE Soapstone Estimate Online! 

Email Us at Soapstone International, Inc. for further questions or inquiry about your Soapstone needs. 

Soapstone is Cost Effective, Durable and Easy to Maintain | Soapstone International, Inc.

Soapstone International, Inc. offers a wide range of expertly crafted soapstone to fit your needs and your budget. We are the choice distributor for Southern California including: San Diego, San Bernadino, Orange County, Riverside, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Redlands, Upland, Bakersfield and Santa Barbara.

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As Soapstone Specialists, our goal is to match your personal vision with our beautiful soapstone collection and surpassing customer service. We are proud and privileged to offer Barroca soapstone, [the classic look in Soapstone] Santa Rita Venata soapstone, Belvedere soapstone, Python soapstone from Brazil. We share years of experience in the soapstone industry with our supplier that travels the globe searching for quality Soapstone.

Soapstone is Cost Effective, Durable and Easy to Maintain

Homeowners are generally surprised how easy it is to care for their Soapstone countertops. Because Soapstone is non-porous, it is chemical; stain, and weather resistant. There are just a few things you should know before you buy and install soapstone kitchen countertops, soapstone kitchen sinks, soapstone fireplace mantles or soapstone bathroom tubs or showers from Soapstone International, Inc. if you have any questions, please 

call us at: 877-732-2180.

Use Soapstone for your Coutnertops: Soapstone is Durable and Easy to Maintain!

How to Care and Maintain a Soapstone Countertop

For those that want to enjoy the darker color of a soapstone countertop, mineral oil can be used to bring out the rich beauty of the stone. Once your soapstone countertop is installed you can follow these simple instructions:

1. Vacuum the countertop to remove any dust or dirt.
2. Clean the countertop with a clean cloth and 

denatured alcohol.
3. Once the alcohol dries, apply mineral oil to the 

countertop with a soft cloth. 
4. Wipe off any access with paper towel.
5. Continue to apply the oil twice a week until the desired color is acquired.
6. Follow-up with an application every 1-3 months to maintain the desired effect.

M. Teixeira Soapstone has available for online purchase a lighter grade of mineral oil perfect for maintaining a soapstone countertop. You’ll find this oil much easier to apply than the standard drugstore mineral oil. Visit our online store where you can purchase Soapstone mineral oil.

Soapstone International Inc. maintains a stock of grade A Soapstone from Brazil and India. Our inventory stock changes as we move the stone through our warehouse. We work closely with M. Teixeira Soapstone to bring you the best soapstone variety for your individual design preferences.

Click Here to get a FREE Soapstone Estimate Online!

Email Us at Soapstone International, Inc. for further questions or inquiry about your Soapstone needs.