Soapstone Hot-Rocks | Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone Company (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of soapstone? ›

Soapstone cons and drawbacks

If you are looking for a pristine surface, soapstone may not be right for you. It is also prone to chipping and gouging and discoloration and while many view these as acceptable imperfections that add character, for some homeowners it can be a concern.

Soapstone costs roughly $70 to $120 per square foot installed, making it pricier than many other natural stone countertop materials. Also a high-quality natural stone, granite will not cost you as much soapstone. The material typically costs in the range of $40 to $100 per square foot installed.

With the right maintenance, soapstone countertops can easily last for 20 years or longer. Scratches can be buffed out with mineral oil while dents and chips can get filled in relatively easily.

Sandstone, soapstone, and granite are highly toxic by inhalation because they contain large amounts of free silica.

People can be exposed to soapstone dust in the workplace via inhalation and skin or eye contact. Exposure above safe limits can lead to symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, cyanosis, crackles, and pulmonary heart disease.

While it may appear soft, soapstone countertops do not crack easily. This is however a problem when it comes to scratches. The softness makes it easily susceptible to scratches but protects it from cracking.

Soapstone costs approximately $55 to $120 per square foot and granite comes in a bit lower at $45 to $110 per square foot.

Soapstone surfaces need not be sealed, but we recommend treatment with mineral oil if consistent surface darkening is desired. Without treatment, soapstone will darken in uneven regions around surface areas most frequently used. Leaving the soapstone untreated will develop a patina of age that many people enjoy.

Second: heat.

In years past the soapstone bed warmer would have been hung by the fireplace or wood stove all day. Today heat it to 105-110 degrees in the oven or even place on a sunny window sill for the day. The only thing we don't recommend is a microwave.

Soapstone is nonporous so it will not absorb substances that will stain it—including bleach and acids. Spills sit on top of the stone and are easily wiped away. Quartz is stain-resistant, but not stain-proof. The resins mixed with the stone discolor from bleach, acid, and prolonged exposure to UV light.

Is soapstone matte or glossy? ›

In its natural state, soapstone has a gray color and a smooth matte feeling. It's also available in various color options, with veined patterns that create a unique focal point in the room. Oiled soapstone has a slight sheen, but it doesn't look as glossy as polished granite.

True Soapstone is chemically inert.

Alkalis, caustics, bleaches and acids won't affect Soapstone as they will granite, marble, limestone or slate.

Avoid using vinegar, citrus, or harsh chemical cleaners on soapstone. Cleaning products containing strong acids are a particularly big no-no. These can actually eat away at the soft stone over time, robbing it of its luster and leaving it vulnerable to serious damage like etching, pitting, or breaking.

Soapstone is very soft and weak. It can be scratched by fingernail and easily crushed by small pressure or hammering.

Soapstone is impermeable to heat, acid, and other alkalis and harsh chemicals as an inert material. You can use virtually any soapstone cleaner to care for this beautiful, indelicate product. Still, we recommend avoiding harsh cleaners that could exacerbate skin and sinus irritations in your guests.

The hardness/durability of soapstone can be compared to high-end marbles; however it is relatively easy to fabricate. As a metamorphic rock, it is very resistant to heat. In fact, soapstone is often used for casting metals, such as lead, pewter and silver.