Kitchen Counters: Durable, Easy-Clean Soapstone
Give bacteria the boot and say sayonara to stains with this long-lasting material that's a great choice for kitchen and bath countertops
Chemistry class might’ve been your first experience with soapstone, where it was the countertop material of choice due to its chemically inert composition (meaning chemicals won’t mar it) and high density, making it impervious to stains and bacteria. If soapstone can hold up to high school students and Bunsen burners, it might be the right choice for your kitchen or bathroom.
Take a look at these soapstone counters and learn more about this unique stone to see if it can work in your home.
Take a look at these soapstone counters and learn more about this unique stone to see if it can work in your home.
Pros: Durability is soapstone's top bragging right. It's not unusual in the northeast parts of the U.S. to find soapstone sinks and wood-burning stoves from the 1800s that are still functioning today, so consider this countertop a lifetime investment. Soapstone is a terrific material for the kitchen, as it's unaffected by heat (proven by its historical use for stoves). Being chemically neutral means that acids like tomatoes and lemon juice won't damage it, and its density makes it impenetrable by everything, including bacteria and would-be stains.
Cons: Its talc content makes soapstone softer than some other stone counters, which leads to edges and corners being eased over time. Nicks and scratches may accumulate too, which can be sanded out or considered part of its living patina. When selecting your slab, it's good to know that the greener the slab, the softer it is. So seek out slabs with less of a green cast if you want a harder slab.
Cons: Its talc content makes soapstone softer than some other stone counters, which leads to edges and corners being eased over time. Nicks and scratches may accumulate too, which can be sanded out or considered part of its living patina. When selecting your slab, it's good to know that the greener the slab, the softer it is. So seek out slabs with less of a green cast if you want a harder slab.
Special considerations: Make sure your soapstone is architectural grade, which is denser than the artistic grade often used for sculpture.
Maintenance: Mild soap and water will take care of routine cleanup. Regular application of food-grade mineral oil is typically recommended, as it darkens the stone and makes the appearance more consistent, but know that applying the oil is solely for aesthetics.
Sustainability: Soapstone gets green kudos for being a material that will last for generations.
However, the mining of soapstone is ecologically harmful. And though soapstone was once mined domestically in Vermont and Appalachia, most countertop material is now mined in Brazil, resulting in significant transportation-related energy expenditure.
More guides to choosing kitchen counters
However, the mining of soapstone is ecologically harmful. And though soapstone was once mined domestically in Vermont and Appalachia, most countertop material is now mined in Brazil, resulting in significant transportation-related energy expenditure.
More guides to choosing kitchen counters
Sponsored
Cost: $80 to $100 per square foot, installed