Apr 2, 04: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?


Posted by bsrdesign (My Page) on Fri, Apr 2, 04 at 22:08


We'd been set on honed black granite countertops, but after reading so much negative stuff about it (and having second thoughts about going that dark), I got interested in soapstone and slate as possible alternatives. I picked up samples today at a home center, and we really like the look of the soapstone. It's a nice medium gray. However, I know from my research online that it's usually treated with mineral oil after installation, which will make it darker. My questions for anyone who has soapstone, or knows more about it:

1) Do we have to oil it? If we don't care about the scratches, is it o.k. to leave it the natural color? I've seen some photos of Finnish fireplaces done in the grey that are quite light, so apparently they have not been oiled. Aside from hiding the scratches, is there another practical reason for oiling it?

2) If we oil it, will the darker color be permanent, or will it eventually lighten up again?

3) How dark does the soapstone eventually get if you oil it repeatedly as recommended? Would it be close to the honed black?

4) Any other comments on soapstone as a countertop choice, vs. other choices like honed granite or slate?

Thanks for any feedback!


Here is a link that might be useful: some photos of soapstone countertops


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

Here is some info on soapstone countertops - includes info on not oiling the soapstone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soapstone care


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: Lily316 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 1:03

You can wash the oil off w/ just soap and water. I have a piece of ss
that's 150 years old..an antique bedwarmer and it has never been oiled.
It's a dark mottled grey. I oil when it gets splotchy looking. However
the penisula which doesn't get washed as often..(decorative things sit
there) stays black looking way longer than heavily used areas. I never
do the sink.


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

This and the next two photos in the album in the link show a friend's
kitchen. They do not oil their soapstone. I wasn't taking the picture
to answer your questions specifically, but you should be able to tell.
Where they use the counter a lot and where they've wiped the
backsplash, the spots are darker. If you look at the 1/2dozen or so
pictures before these kitchen photos, you'll see my samples of
soapstone I've gotten from various suppliers. I oiled half and left the
other half unoiled for comparison. Hope this helps you decide.

Here is a link that might be useful: Unoiled Soapstone Pictures


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: Eileen3G (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 8:49

1) Oiling is really only for cosmetic purposes. As for scratches, the really pop because the oil layer has been scratched off. W/out any oil, scratches will be less noticable.
2) Oiled ss keeps lightening up
as the oil wears off. And if you oil and then change your mind, you could use soap (esp a degreasing dishsoap) to remove the oil and lighten it straight away.
3) SS is very dark right after oiling. I am not that familiar w/ ab black granite, so cannot speak to that. However, to keep it that dark, you need to keep oiling freqently ... and put up with water rings and other little irritations that results
from disturbances to the fresh oil layer. I think most of us live with a medium dark gret appearance most of the time.

The only caution against NOT oiling is that you will get dark splotches from olive oil,
pizza boxes, kids' greasy fingers ... You can soap up to treat these, of course. Again, though, I think most of us w/ ss go the other way --oil it up and hit the paler areas (around the soap dispenser, for ex) with an oily cloth from time to time.

Good luck!


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: bsrdesign (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 8:57

Thanks for all these great replies- exactly the info we needed! Momto4kids,
the photos of the oiled and unoiled samples were very helpful. I didn't
realize there was so much variation in types of soapstone.
One more question for anyone who's done some price comparison...how does
soapstone compare to honed AB granite? I really like the soapstone, but
if it is way more it may be out of the question. I found prices online
averaging about $60-$70 sq. ft. on the soapstone; is that typical? Couldn't find much for pricing on the granite.


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: julianne2 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 9:32

I can't remember the exact amounts, but my soapstone was a little bit
more than the estimate I receieved for honed AB. The honed was about $4600 and the soapstone turned out to be $5200. I am very happy with the soapstone. I like the way it looks when the oil has worn off for a day or two.


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: corgilvr (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 13:27

It doesn't really matter if you do not oil it. It is nonreactive to almost anything you subject it to. If you don't like the look after use, oil it! Where it is subjected to greasy things, it will darken.

I, personally, love to oil it. I have cherry counters adjacent to soapstone, so they all get the same treatment as well as my hand made bowls, etc.

It really is a function of who you are and what you love. But, I ordered my cabinets from a local artisan, primed, painted them myself, bought my own hand turned knobs, and finished my other, cherry, countertops, myself based on the way we would use them.

What do you love and how do you use your kitchen?

Lowes and Home Depot do not live here!


RE: Suppose we don't put oil our soapstone?

  • Posted by: elektra (My Page) on Sat, Apr 3, 04 at 14:15

Our soapstone is now 2 years old- the prices you mention seem about right-
we paid $ 70 I think. We like the oiled look but over the two years I have been able to increase the interval between oiling from every week to every 2-3 months.

posted by starpooh @ 4/21/2005 12:51:00 PM   0 comments

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