Soapstone is my favorite countertop material. I do not think I will ever put in any other type of counter for the rest of my life. Here are the reasons:

Soapstone Benefits

- Soapstone is non-porous which means it cannot stain and does not have to be sealed unlike granite which can stain.
- Soapstone will not crack if an extremely hot pot is put on it as it dissipates heat extremely well. Remember the black soapstone countertops in your Chemistry lab?
- Soapstone has a matte finish. It blends in with the rest of the kitchen instead of being the center of attention.
- Soapstone is easy to maintain. Scratches can be sanded out by hand.
- Soapstone will last a lifetime. Have you ever seen a 200 year old farmhouse? Most likely the counters are soapstone.

Soapstone Will Not Stain

Many countertop materials such as granite need to be sealed to prevent staining. Soapstone does not have that problem due to its density (20 lbs./sq ft); it just won't absorb liquids meaning you don't have to baby it.

Scratches Are Easily Removed

Soapstone, although very dense, is also soft to the touch (ground soapstone is talcum powder). It is soft enough that it can be scratched with a fingernail. While some people may see this as a problem, I see it as a benefit as you can just get a piece of fine sandpaper or steel wool and rub it out.

Maintaining and Oiling the Soapstone Countertop

Soapstone may be oiled with mineral oil to deepen the grays into black and bring out any color veins in the stone. The only time I oil it is two days before a party as I hate clearing off the counters. I really only did this for the first year until the oils from peoples' hands naturally darkened the stone and it was not necessary anymore. Since soapstone is very dense it will not absorb applied mineral oil or body oils, but over time and multiple applications it will form a molecular bond with the surface. Over time, the bond degrades and oil needs to be reapplied unless, of course, there is a lot of daily use and touching of the countertop. This is unlike granite which will absorb a sealer.

The recommended oiling schedule for soapstone is as follows:

- 3 times per week for the first month
- 2 times per week for the second month
- Once a week for the third month
- As needed after the third month to keep the color

Application of the mineral oil should be done with a soft rag or paper towel. Make sure you do not apply too much oil! You want just enough to change the color.

Let it sit overnight and then, with a clean cloth, wipe off any excess mineral oil until it is dry.

So you see, to keep the oiled look it is a one to two day process. I think it looks great both ways which is why I only oil for parties. Pictures in the Craftsman Home Remodeling Blog show the soapstone just after installation. It has never had oil on it and has a very light gray color to it. The later pictures show the same counter only three days after oiling and it is a rich, charcoal matte color with brilliant caramel and green veins.

It should be noted that the occasional oiling of a few times a year maintains the counter at a tone about half way between the two extremes until enough normal use maintains the look.