The Truth About Soapstone

When we decided to renovate the kitchen, we knew from the beginning that soapstone was going to be the material we used for the counters. We’ve always had this affinity for black soapstone. Adding this natural stone to our kitchen has always been a dream. Though throughout the process of finding the exact slab, we learned that a lot of professionals don’t know the true facts about this stone. Honestly, it was pretty surprising and would have made us think twice had we not known the truth for ourselves.

For starters, soapstone is non-porous. That means it’s not going to absorb liquids like other types of stones. Repeat after us — DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU IT IS POROUS. We can’t even begin to tell you how many professionals told us that this stone was porous and that we should think twice about the choice. More specifically, that liquids would absorb. Unfortunately, we’ve learned that there is a lot of misinformation out there in the stone industry. Just another reminder to always do your own research and know what you are talking about. Just because someone claims to know the facts, doesn’t mean they are correct. Soapstone is a softer stone which will allow it to wear more easily but also making it quite durable. It’s also more pliable than granite. That means it is less brittle and won’t crack unexpectedly from stress or weight. It is important to know you can expect to see some scratches or marks over time but nothing major. We actually like it when the kitchen looks used so that’s a plus for us. It feels lived in and represents memories for us. It is also important to know it doesn’t require sealing and is much less likely to stain from wine or oil spills. Since it is non-porous, mild soap and a sponge/rag is all you need for cleaning. Super easy!