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| The Carpenter Shop |
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful. " William Morris
or believe to be beautiful. " William Morris
Copyright The Carpenter Shop, 2007.
| 358 N. Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127 |
| 405.942.2644 |
| Office Hours: M - F 7 a.m. to 3:30 Sat 10 - 1 Please call to make an appointment for any other time. |
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- There is no maintenance required for soapstone other than ongoing applications of mineral oil. Soapstone is non-porous, and
unlike marble and granite does not need to be sealed. However, applying mineral oil to soapstone surfaces will not only
enhance its overall appearance, it will encourage its natural darkening and ensure that the stone will darken evenly.
- There is no preferred method of applying mineral oil to your soapstone countertop, nor can you oil it too often. Applying mineral
oil too little or in excess will not damage the soapstone. But you can make oiling your countertops that much easier. You’ll find
that if you store your oiling cloth between uses in a plastic sealable bag, it will readily absorb the mineral oil, allowing it to
spread the oil evenly on your countertops. Always remember to remove all of the excess oil so that you can keep your
countertops from feeling slick to the touch.
- Once the last application has begun to fade away you should apply another coat. You’ll notice that when you oil your soapstone
countertops for the first time the stone will become significantly darker. That’s to be expected. Typically, after the first application
of mineral oil most soapstone will begin to lighten again. That is the point when you can re-apply mineral oil to your countertops.
- It will take approximately three coats for your soapstone countertops to reach their ultimate colour. After each application the
countertops will retain the oil for a longer period of time. You’ll find that your soapstone countertops will remain permanently
dark within six to eight months of mineral oil applications.
- Cleaning your soapstone countertops is simple. As chemicals and acids will not cause any damage to soapstone, any
common household cleaner can be used. However, using these types of cleaning products will have a tendency to remove the
oil. Soap and water will do just fine, and it will not strip the mineral oil from your soapstone surfaces.
- Although soapstone is a soft stone and therefore prone to scratches, unlike marble and granite, scratches can be easily
removed with sanding and (or) another application of mineral oil. If you discover a deep scratch, you can use a small piece of
120 grit sandpaper, and in a circular motion sand away the scratch until it has almost disappeared. Then, with 220 grit
sandpaper and water, sand the scratched area again and apply mineral oil to the area. With subsequent applications of
mineral oil the original colour will return within a few days.
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock ranging in age from 300 to 400 million years. Chemically inert, soapstone is composed of several
minerals including talc, chlorite, dolomite, quartz, magnesite, mica, chlorite, pyroxene, amphibole, serpentine, quartz, calcite, and iron
oxides. Its colours range from white, greenish grey, charcoal to dark green.
The most notable producers of soapstone include Brazil, Finland, Japan, and the United States (primarily in the New England state of
Vermont), and to a lesser extent Canada (Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia). Soapstone
originates from quarries in various locations around the world and is often named from the quarries from which they were mined, such as
Brazil’s Mariana, Lorena, Foresta, Beatrice, Santa Lita, Verte Noir, among others.
The two main categories of soapstone are Artistic and Architectural. Artistic soapstone has a significantly higher talc content which makes it
softer than Architectural soapstone. It is for this reason that Artistic soapstone is mainly used for carving and sculpture, while Architectural’s
lower talc content and dense non-porous properties make it harder and more durable, with the structural integrity needed for use in the
home.
minerals including talc, chlorite, dolomite, quartz, magnesite, mica, chlorite, pyroxene, amphibole, serpentine, quartz, calcite, and iron
oxides. Its colours range from white, greenish grey, charcoal to dark green.
The most notable producers of soapstone include Brazil, Finland, Japan, and the United States (primarily in the New England state of
Vermont), and to a lesser extent Canada (Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia). Soapstone
originates from quarries in various locations around the world and is often named from the quarries from which they were mined, such as
Brazil’s Mariana, Lorena, Foresta, Beatrice, Santa Lita, Verte Noir, among others.
The two main categories of soapstone are Artistic and Architectural. Artistic soapstone has a significantly higher talc content which makes it
softer than Architectural soapstone. It is for this reason that Artistic soapstone is mainly used for carving and sculpture, while Architectural’s
lower talc content and dense non-porous properties make it harder and more durable, with the structural integrity needed for use in the
home.
Soapstone Information
Widely recognized as an excellent natural stone alternative to granite and marble, soapstone’s unique
colour palette, coupled with its artistic veining characteristics, is appreciated for its rustic qualities, while
equally applauded for the ease with which it can be introduced into a modern design environment. As the
name “soapstone” implies, given its inherently high talc content, it is soft to the touch – much the same
feeling experienced when rubbing a piece of dry soap. Soapstone also has a high fusion point, low
electrical and thermal conductivity, superior heat retention, and high lubricating power. These innate
properties makes soapstone impervious to most physical damage, and once installed, unlike granite, it
will last virtually forever. From invasive liquid spills such as wine that typically leaves impossible-to-
remove stains on any other kind of material or surface, to scorching heat damage most often caused by
super-heated cookware, soapstone is essentially impenetrable.
These robust qualities, coupled with its natural beauty, make soapstone a highly touted and much
sought out material for kitchen countertops. Renowned for withstanding high traffic abuse, it hasn’t been
a coincidence that soapstone has been used in science classrooms and lab countertops for over one
hundred years. Moreover, adding further testament to its robust and protective qualities, soapstone was
used as a coating for Brazil’s famed statue in Rio des Janeiro, “Christ the Redeemer”.
colour palette, coupled with its artistic veining characteristics, is appreciated for its rustic qualities, while
equally applauded for the ease with which it can be introduced into a modern design environment. As the
name “soapstone” implies, given its inherently high talc content, it is soft to the touch – much the same
feeling experienced when rubbing a piece of dry soap. Soapstone also has a high fusion point, low
electrical and thermal conductivity, superior heat retention, and high lubricating power. These innate
properties makes soapstone impervious to most physical damage, and once installed, unlike granite, it
will last virtually forever. From invasive liquid spills such as wine that typically leaves impossible-to-
remove stains on any other kind of material or surface, to scorching heat damage most often caused by
super-heated cookware, soapstone is essentially impenetrable.
These robust qualities, coupled with its natural beauty, make soapstone a highly touted and much
sought out material for kitchen countertops. Renowned for withstanding high traffic abuse, it hasn’t been
a coincidence that soapstone has been used in science classrooms and lab countertops for over one
hundred years. Moreover, adding further testament to its robust and protective qualities, soapstone was
used as a coating for Brazil’s famed statue in Rio des Janeiro, “Christ the Redeemer”.
Soapstone Care & Maintenance