Your Questions, Our - Green Mountain Soapstone

soapstone
Withstanding the Test of Time—
Your Questions, Our Answers
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
GREEN MOUNTAIN SOAPSTONE CORPORATION
4
IS SOAPSTONE A NATURAL STONE?
6
WHAT SIZE SOAPSTONE SLABS ARE AVAILABLE?
7
WHICH TYPE OF SOAPSTONE IS APPROPRIATE FOR KITCHEN USE?
8
WHAT IS MY PALETTE OF COLOR?
9
ARCHITECTURALLY, DOES SOAPSTONE HAVE OTHER USES?
10
WHAT QUALITIES MAKE IT KITCHEN-FRIENDLY?
11
CAN I CUT AND CHOP ON MY COUNTERTOP?
12
IS THERE A TIME-TABLE FOR OILING SOAPSTONE?
13
WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND OILING SOAPSTONE?
14
WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER A SOAPSTONE SINK?
15
WHAT COUNTRY DOES SOAPSTONE COME FROM?
16
WHY TRUST GREEN MOUNTAIN SOAPSTONE KNOWLEDGE?
17
SOAPSTONE FEELS SOFT, WILL IT WEAR THIN OVER TIME?
18
WHY ISN’T SOAPSTONE AS POPULAR AS GRANITE?
19
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF SOAPSTONE?
20
IS SOAPSTONE CONSIDERED A GREEN PRODUCT?
21
CARE & MAINTENANCE OF YOUR INVESTMENT
22
USE AND CARE OF YOUR SOAPSTONE SINK
24
STANDARD SOAPSTONE SINKS (Dimensions )
26
©Green Mountain Soapstone Corporation
680 East Hubbardton Road
P.O. Box 807 • Castleton, VT 05735
phone 802-468-5636 • fax 802-468-8968
www.greenmountainsoapstone.com
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
soapstone
YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
“You should write a Mountain Soapstone.
book about soapstone” was
Over the years we have
suggested by a
done our best
“Soapstone
designer visiting
to provide a recountertops are
our KBIS booth
sponse to archia few years back. impervious to heat tects, designers,
and stains, and
“There seems to
fabricators— and
virtually
maintebe so much not
most importantly
nance free.”
—homeowners
known
about
questions.
soapstone, or at
This booklet provides
least projected inaccurately.
Maybe you guys can correct what we feel to be clear,
to the point, honest and
that.”
answers.
Well, we took that advice informative
and went to work develop- Hopefully we’ve covered
ing this booklet. It contains everything, but if not, we
a series of questions that are can always add a page to the
most often asked of Green next edition!
A giant soapstone block
just extracted from the
ground, being prepared
for the slab saw.
Green Mountain Soapstone
countertops are as attractive as
they are durable. Soapstone is the
perfect choice for a busy lifestyle.
3
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
GREEN MOUNTAIN SOAPSTONE
CORPORATION
who we are
Stone fabrication has been a way
of life for three generations of the
Socinski family. David Socinski
is pictured here in the soapstone
yard in Castleton, Vermont.
Green Mountain Soapstone
Corporate Headquarters.
Castleton, Vermont USA
One of our quarries in the
Green Mountains of Brazil.
4
early 1800’s; many homes
today still contain working
sinks and wood stoves built
over 100 years ago! While
they all may not have been
built by GMS personnel,
they all have one thing in
common, durability!
Green Mountain Soapstone is a family owned
business, located in the picturesque Green Mountains
in Castleton, Vermont.
Stone fabrication has been
a way of life for the Socinski
what we do
family for three generations.
We didn’t wake up one
At Green Mountain Soapmorning and say “let’s get stone we quarry and supply
into the stone business to- soapstone for the kitchen
day”. With stone quarries and bath industry. We ship
on two continents this is the raw slabs and containers to
Socinski family heritage, suppliers and fabricators
passed
down
throughout the
from grandfather,
United States and
heritage
to father, to son.
Canada. We also
“Something such
Soapstone is only
supply
dimenas a way of life or
one of the natural a traditional culture sional cut-to-size
stones we have
soapstone
for
passed from one
worked with over
masonry
heatgeneration to
the past 60 years,
ers, wood stoves,
another.”
and it has become
restoration and
our favorite.
duplication work. We offer
We’ve created soapstone the largest soapstone slabs
countertops, sinks, fireplace and inventory available.
surrounds and liners, floor- We have the world’s most
ing, steps, masonry heaters, beautiful soapstone, which
lab tables and much more we offer as Green Mountain
over the years. Our fabrica- Soapstone “Original”.
tion facility and showroom
Some call it customer
in Castleton, Vermont sits service—we call it a reon over 20 acres and sup- lationship. We do not sell
ports more than 30 local soapstone, our customers
families. Combined with our do. We work hard to supquarries in Brazil, more than port the many fabricators,
100 people work each day in distributors and designers
whom insist on specifying
support of our customers.
Soapstone has been a part Green Mountain Soapstone.
of American homes since the Our pro-active approach of
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
reaching end-users includes
national magazine advertisements. Fine Homebuilding, Old House Journal and
Old House Interiors are just
a
few
publicaloyalty
tions that
“A feeling of
attract atdevotion, duty or
tention to
attachment to
our soapsomebody or
s t o n e
something”
products.
Our web site receives
several hundred information
requests each week—which
we refer to the local dealer.
Those referrals often convert
to sales. We are long-standing exhibitors at national
trade shows such as KBIS,
IBS, Coverings and Stone
Expo. Marketing is only part
of our support. Our national
fabrication network is fully
supported by experienced,
hands-on people. Combined, GMS independent
fabricators carry well over
100 years of experience into
the field each day. Availability, quality, marketing and
fabrication support keep us
the leader of the soapstone
industry.
our mission
For decades, New Englanders have enjoyed the
beauty, durability and longevity of soapstone. Our
mission at Green Mountain
Soapstone is to demystify
the fabrication and installation of soapstone, enabling
everyone access to this
fabulous product. Until re- have several legal quarries
cently, soapstone was only in Brazil that provide well
distributed in New England. paying jobs and safe workConsequently,
traditional ing conditions. We’ve been
crafting skills were only through the ups and downs
known to those
of the soapstone
in the northeast. longevity market and have
Today, GMS poslearned first-hand
“Long duration
sesses
several
the importance of
of life.”
large soapstone
quality and planquarries which enable us to ning for the future. We have
offer soapstone nationally.
seen other suppliers come
We teach contractors, and go. Most are just trying
cabinet makers and solid to cash in on the soapstone
surface fabricators nation- revival and neither have the
wide the manufacturing supply, nor the experience to
techniques used by original deliver long term. Others are
Vermont craftsmen to create granite companies quarrying
countertops, kitchen islands, from poor deposits and sellfireplace surrounds and ing inferior stone cheaply,
more. And how seams can trying to make a quick buck.
be made so that the joint is Quality soapstone is rare
smooth and inconspicuous. and hard to find. Our skilled
We can proudly say that geologists actively proswe are one of the reasons pect and seek out the best
for the resurgence of soap- architectural deposits. This
stone. Today we are the enables us to continually selargest supplier of soap- cure new quarry locations—
stone in America. We will ensuring our longevity in
continue to quarry, market the soapstone business for
and distribute quality soap- years to come.
stone for years to come. We
5
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
IS SOAPSTONE A NATURAL
STONE?
Soapstone (steatite) is a
naturally occurring metamorphic rock found in
various localities worldwide.
It is geologically assoa soft metamorphic rock ciated with
composed mostly of the ancient ocean
mineral talc. Soapstone rift zones of
ultra-basic,
also includes chlorite,
igneous rock
carbonate, and tremoassemblages.
lite. Soapstone forms
These rock
through the alteration
units become
of ferromagnesian
altered due to
silicate minerals during
the tremenmetamorphism.
dous
heat
and pressure that occurs
during periods of mountain
development and tectonic
upheavals.
The process of steatization changes the minerals in
the rock into talc and dolomite (magnesium carbonate). The soft talc mineral
soapstone
gives soapstone its smooth
feel of soap, and the carbonate mineral provides its
strength and integrity.
Green Mountain Soapstone keeps an active file
of mineral test results on
all soapstone we distribute.
This information is available to those that require it,
upon request.
Quarry men prepare to block up another
section in one of our Brazilian quarries.
6
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT SIZE SOAPSTONE SLABS
ARE AVAILABLE?
At one time soapstone
blocks were cut smaller to
avoid veins. Since seams
in soapstone countertops
are virtually invisible, this
was not a problem. As other
stone choices appeared in
the marketplace, soapstone
was forced to quarry larger
blocks. Larger slabs may
sometimes contain a few
more quartz veins, but they
only add to the aesthetics of
the project.
Our 1 ¼” slabs average in
size 60” x 100”. We also cut
smaller sizes for fabricators
that are not capable of handling large material. Custom
thicknesses and sizes can be
ordered, but time must be
added for quarrying and sizing of blocks.
Handling of larger slabs is
the same as handling a large
granite or marble slab. Due
to natural fissures in those
stones a mesh back is often
applied to supply additional
support. Since soapstone is a
dense material, mesh has not
been required. As our slabs
continue to be quarried in
even larger sizes, we may
consider applying the mesh
for safety reasons.
Tiles are also available in
12” squares that are 1/2” in
thickness.
Larger slabs provide for
longer runs of counter top,
which equals fewer seams.
Soapstone tiles are perfect for
bathroom tub and tile surrounds
as well as floors.
7
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHICH TYPE OF SOAPSTONE IS
APPROPRIATE FOR KITCHEN USE?
Soapstone is found in two countertop.
basic varieties, each defined
ARCHITECTURAL
by its talc content.
Soapstone contains a lower
ARTISTIC Soapstone percentage of talc and is
has a high talc content mak- used for sinks, countertops,
ing it very soft. Normal uses floors and other architecinclude
carving
tural applicaand welders pentions. This is
not
cils. Common exthe only type of
all soapstone is
amples you may
soapstone quarcreated ried by Green
have seen are Inequal
uit whale carvings
Mountain Soapand boot dryers.
stone due to its
You do not want this stone strength and durability.
installed for use as a kitchen
Soapstone counter top and sink completes
this log homes rustic look.
8
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT IS MY PALETTE
OF COLOR?
Basically one. Some of
our stone has a green hue,
but most is charcoal gray
with flecks of other colors
running through it and veining interspersed. Soapstone
turns to a darker charcoal
color with age, use and normal care, and can be color
enhanced with mineral oil.
As the discovery of soapstone quarries continue,
there will always be some
variation in its appearance.
Still, the talc and quartz
content will always decide
the quality of the stone.
Too much color, or inconsistent color are not
good signs when looking
at soapstone. Softness and
hardness can vary in every
piece of soapstone, so when
choosing slabs take time to
ask questions. We suggest
wiping the slab down with
a wet sponge (water), as this
will give you an idea of how
the stone will look when it
is oiled.
Our “Original” soapstone is the traditional
look, feel and density that
homeowners seek out after
investigating soapstone.
Large quartz veining in
this soapstone makes for a
striking countertop.
Natural Soapstone
Soapstone with an application
of Green Mountain Soapstone
Mineral Oil.
9
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
ARCHITECTURALLY, DOES
SOAPSTONE HAVE OTHER USES?
Green Mountain’s soapstone has been fabricated for
multiple uses. Some include
tabletops, benches, shower
stalls, bathtubs, fireplace surrounds, Rumford fireboxes,
windowsills, lintels, planters
and Japanese soaking tubs.
In addition, soapstone has
Soapstone adds charm and become an excelwarmth to this fireplace by
lent companion for
The SoapstoneWorks.
radiant floor heat.
Masonry heaters
built of soapstone
have, literally, set
the market on fire.
Soapstone is a
highly neutral stone
that adapts to a
wide range of
temperature shifts.
From handling the
heat of a woodfired pizza oven to
surviving the cold
and snow of the
outdoor kitchen in
winter, soapstone
Natural soapstone bathroom
vanity with curved backsplash withstands it all.
and stainless drop-in sink.
Green Mountain
Soapstone masonry heater
(above right) captures heat
and radiates it for hours.
Custom designed soapstone
steps and accents (right)
make this entryway unique.
10
Now that the modern
kitchen has moved outside to
surround the barbecue, soapstone makes the transition
right in stride. Its resistance
to bacteria adds comfort to
working on a countertop
that is exposed to Mother
Nature.
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT QUALITIES MAKE
SOAPSTONE KITCHEN-FRIENDLY?
Soapstone has three characteristics that make it an
excellent choice.
1
It adjusts to heat. You
can place a red-hot pan or
dish on a counter without
any damage to the surface.
2
It is non-porous. Products that traditionally stain
other natural stones will not
penetrate soapstone. Surfaces such as granite, marble or
limestone have to be repeatedly sealed to prevent liquids from staining them.
3
It is chemically neutral.
Acids like lemon or tomato
juice do not affect soapstone, nor do alkalis found
in some household cleaners.
No other solid surface countertop material combines
all three of these favorable
characteristics.
an investment in
soapstone
just makes sense
Green Mountains’ Original Soapstone
pairs beautifully with a matching
Chicago Wright apron front sink.
11
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
CAN I CUT AND CHOP ON MY
COUNTERTOP?
We believe that there was
a good reason that cutting
boards were invented, and
that was to save your countertop and knives. We do not
know of any surface, stone or
otherwise, that will withstand
daily beatings from a knife or
cleaver!
That said, we know that
sooner or later somebody is
going to cut on it (hey, we
all have families), and what
you will find are fine surface scratches. Often these
“scratches” are not actual
scratches but occur when a
kitchen tool, such as a knife,
removes the top layer of mineral oil from the counters’
non-porous surface. You can
reapply mineral oil to hide
them, or let them be. Surprisingly, they seem to add to the
unique patina of the stone.
Deeper scratches can be
removed without bringing in
an “expert” with messy tools.
Please refer to our care information on page 24.
Soapstone countertops can be
created with custom edges.
12
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
IS THERE A TIME-TABLE FOR
OILING SOAPSTONE?
We recommend weekly
oilings for the first month,
then twice a month for the
next three months. After that
a monthly oiling, or less, is
recommended. Only you will
know the timetable that works
in your home. There is really
no right or wrong schedule for
oiling soapstone.
Kitchens that get more use
than others will require less
oil in high traffic areas. This is
because countertop moisture
is naturally being replaced by
constant usage. A thin layer of
oil (too light to feel) will keep
the stone a consistent shade of
dark gray. As the oil evaporates, the stone will lighten
letting you know it is time for
another oiling.
NATURAL Soapstone—at
installation.
Green Mountain’s
Mineral Oil is a light
grade, food safe
product developed
especially to color
enhance soapstone.
COLOR ENHANCED Soapstone
—after one application of Green
Mountain Soapstone Mineral Oil.
13
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND OILING
SOAPSTONE?
Soapstone is non-porous
so nothing will penetrate
its surface. When liquid
is spilled or applied to the
surface, the stone darkens
due to the light refracted
off of the stone. The stone
lightens when the substance
is removed from the surface either by evaporation
or cleaning. Thus, in order
to avoid inconsistent color
across your countertop, we
recommend applying mineral oil to its surface. While
the aesthetic choice of applying oil is up to the homeowner, there is no right or
wrong way to enjoy your
soapstone.
GMS has developed a
special, lightweight formula
mineral oil that makes application easier and offers
more coverage, ounce per
ounce, than other heavier
oils. Please see our care information included in this
booklet.
Most importantly is the
grade of mineral oil. FDA
approved food grade mineral oil will not become rancid
as will olive and other oils.
It has neither odor nor taste,
and in most cases a thin
layer will dry overnight. We
suggest using our bottled
mineral oil, otherwise a
heavier grade oil may be
found in most drug and grocery stores.
Boston Williams sink
26.5” x 18.5” x 7.75”
(outside dimensions)
Chicago Wright sink
30” x 18.5” x 10”
(outside dimensions)
14
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER A
SOAPSTONE SINK?
In the 1800’s, before the
kitchen existed as we know
it, the soapstone sink was a
mainstay of multiple uses.
The old large double-bowl
sink that many New England homes still have in
their basement or laundry
room today, were used to
keep water warm, do the
laundry (by hand) and bathe
and rinse fresh foods. Often
kept on the porch facing
the sunny south, the farmer
would boil water early in the
morning and pour it into the
bowls. Instantly the stone
would begin to adapt to the
water temperature and in return, with help from the sun
also warming the soapstone,
would keep the water warm
throughout the day. When
the kitchen moved indoors,
those same soapstone sinks
were too large to make the
move.
Today, the soapstone
sink has been revitalized.
Not only does it look great
See pages 26-27 for standard Green
Mountain Soapstone sink drawings.
surrounded with soapstone
countertops, but it offers
the homeowner a chance to
design their own sink. Because most soapstone sinks
are custom built to fit the
cabinet or wall placement,
a homeowner that loves to
cook can design a sink
that uniquely works for their
kitchen. Non-cooks, just
needing a small sink for do-
New England
Double Bowl sink
36” x 18.5” x 10”
(outside dimensions)
ing a few dishes and wanting
to save countertop space, can
be accommodated as well.
Green Mountain Soapstone offers custom built
sinks (see photo above). In
addition, we also have stock
sinks that often fit customers
needs and help with tighter
remodeling budgets.
As vanity sinks become a
home staple, soapstone has
once again adapted. Single
block carved bowls make
excellent bathroom sinks.
Soapstone’s
non-porous
nature leaves it unaffected
by every substance—from
cleaners to make-up—used
in your daily routine.
15
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT COUNTRY DOES
SOAPSTONE COME FROM?
Soapstone prepared at our
Brazilian stock yard ready to ship
to our distributors in the USA.
16
Soapstone
is
found
throughout the world in
relatively minor deposits
ranging from small rocks to
wide seams, boulders and
other deposits. Soapstone
is found in the Appalachian
mountain range from Maine
to Georgia with significant
deposits in Vermont and
Virginia. Finland and Brazil
are the largest international
producers of soapstone.
Stone found in Brazil
tends to be the best for use
in the kitchen, while Finnish
stone works well in stoves.
Two thirds of the soapstone
that is imported yearly from
Brazil to the United States is
via Green Mountain Soapstone quarries.
Our “green” friendly quarries
are quickly reclaimed when they
are tapped out. Often after a few
years of regrowth our quarries
blend back into the country side.
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHY TRUST GREEN MOUNTAIN
SOAPSTONE KNOWLEDGE?
Soapstone varies in color, cure, legal quarries that prohardness and purity from vide well-paying jobs and
deposit to deposit. We only safe working conditions.
distribute stone suitable for
the intended end use. Top
quality soapstone is rare
and hard to find. Our skilled
geologists actively prospect
and seek out the richest
deposits. This enables us
to continually secure new
quarry locations.
We are the largest soapstone supplier in America.
Two-thirds of the Brazilian
soapstone arriving in America annually is from Green
Mountain Soapstone’s se-
Large Green Mountain Soapstone
blocks are matched up prior to
cutting (above) being the largest
supplier of soapstone slabs in the
united states, keeps our inventory
fresh. Soapstone slabs just cut off
the saw. (below)
17
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
SOAPSTONE FEELS SOFT, WILL IT
WEAR THIN OVER TIME?
Soapstone will wear, the
edges will soften and accumulate some nicks, scratches and dents over time. It
will never wear thin and it
certainly will not wash
away!
Most “scratches” are not
actual scratches but occur
when a kitchen tool, such
as a knife, removes the top
layer of mineral oil from the
counters non-porous surface.
If deeper scratches should
occur, they can be removed
with light sanding if desired,
but often left alone they tend
to add to the unique patina
of the stone.
Sinks that were built well
over 100 years ago (those
found in many New England
garages and cellars) are still
in use and just as attractive
as the sinks built today.
Custom bathroom vanity
constructed entirely from
soapstone—complete with
towel racks.
18
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHY ISN’T SOAPSTONE AS
POPULAR AS GRANITE?
Soapstone is probably less like most other architectural
popular due to its relative minerals, soapstone has not
been
quarried
rarity and limited
soapstone adds
or marketed by
supply. Quarrying
soapstone
style & large companies
and has not been
takes knowledge
value
sold through traand
patience.
to any project
ditional
stone
Because it is un-
distribution channels. Due
to the limited supply of architectural quality stone, the
chances of soapstone ever
reaching the sales magnitude of granite is highly
unlikely. Soapstone is, however, readily available from
Green Mountain Soapstone.
Non-porous soapstone is the
perfect practical design element
for any wet environment.
19
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES
OF SOAPSTONE?
Depending on how you
look at it, and you would
have to speak to several
soapstone owners, maintenance of the stone when it is
first installed can be a disadvantage. Applying the mineral oil to get the aesthetic
appearance consistent can
take time, however, we’ve
had soapstone lovers revisit
us over the years and speak
of how much they enjoy oiling their countertops—often
referring to it as therapeutic.
In summary, we feel these
three points best describe
any of soapstone’s “drawbacks”:
1
Soapstone is basically
available in only one color.
It will age to a darker, almost
black charcoal finish. This is
not all bad, we’ve had a few
customers tell us they like
the limited color choice as it
speeds up product selection
by a few weeks.
2
Soapstone
requires
some maintenance such as
periodic oiling to maintain
a consistent appearance.
That said, it’s up to the homeowner to decide what the
oiling time table will be.
3
Soapstone is softer and
tends to get fine scratches.
These are easily removed
by reapplying mineral oil.
If you meet a person that
has installed quality soapstone like ours, be prepared
to hear nothing but rave reviews. Most people that are
turned off by soapstone have
installed a subpar artistic
product (mentioned earlier),
or were expecting a polished
stone such as granite.
20
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
IS SOAPSTONE CONSIDERED A
GREEN PRODUCT?
At the current time no
stone fits every requirement
to be considered part of the
Green Movement. Yet soapstone is accepted by many
Green-minded
designers,
builders and homeowners due to its earth-friendly
qualities. The following are
“green” points about soapstone:
1
Soapstone is quarried in
an open pit, thus, the land is
refilled with dirt, allowing
grass and trees to reclaim
the land.
2
Soapstone is chemical
free;
• It needs no sealer as it is
used in its natural state.
• Because it is non-porous,
a mild soap and water clean
up is a snap.
• Mineral oil, also a natural
food safe product, is used to
enhance it.
3
4
Soapstone is recyclable. Old high school and
college science labs, that for
some reason are being taken
out and replaced with other
materials, have been reused
for sinks, countertop and
vanity tops with simple reconditioning.
5
Soapstone has withstood the test of time and is
ready to take on the future.
Whatever use it has been
specified for, more than
likely it is still in place today. Soapstone is ready for
the Green Movement, in fact
it has been ready for more
than 200 years!
Soapstone is a onetime, life-time investment.
Sinks that have been used
since the early 1800’s in
New England are still being
used today in many laundry
rooms.
21
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
CARE & MAINTENANCE OF
YOUR INVESTMENT
Why is it recommended to
oil soapstone?
Since soapstone is non
porous, nothing penetrates
the surface. When any liquid
is spilled or applied to the
surface, the stone darkens
because the light is refracted
off the surface. The stone
will lighten when the substance is removed from the
surface either by evaporation or cleaning. In order to
avoid an inconsistent color
or tone, we recommend applying mineral oil to the surface of the stone.
Using Green Mountain Soapstone
in applications with other materials can create an eye pleasing
environment. (above)
Soapstone is very
user-friendly. If you
can design it, it can
be built. One restriction is, it does not
bend well!
22
First Oiling — When applying mineral oil for the first
time a “stone changing experience” will occur! Instantly
the gray soapstone will turn
a dark charcoal color and
the characteristics of the
soapstone will come to life.
These few simple steps will
make the oiling experience
easier. Be sure to first wipe
down the soapstone with a
wet sponge. This will gather
any dust residue left behind
that can gum up the oil. Use
only food grade mineral oil
as it is safe for human consumption. We recommend
specially formulated Green
Mountain Soapstone Mineral Oil. With a clean, dry
cloth, apply the oil to the
stone, covering all areas
evenly. (Yes, you can cheat
and just pour it on!) It will be
oily to the touch when first
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
applied. Give the oil a few
minutes to rest and then with
a dry cloth wipe away any
excess oil. The remaining oil
will dry overnight and leave
your new soapstone beautiful and ready for work.
ful though, as in most cases
a scratch is no more than
removal of the oil from the
stones surface—not an actual scratch. This is easily repaired by reapplying a small
amount of mineral oil.
How often does soapstone
have to be oiled?
We recommend weekly
for the first month. Then
twice a month, or less, depending on use over the next
three months. The thin layer
of oil, too light to feel, will
keep the stone a consistent
shade of dark gray. The oil
does evaporate so the stone
will lighten with time. And,
most importantly, if you
never oil it, that’s fine, just
expect to see darker spots
in areas where you do most
of your work (this is not a
stain). If you become tired
of the spots—oil it!
Now use it!
Soapstone loves to be
used! In fact, five, ten and
even twenty years from
now, you will marvel at
how beautiful the stone has
aged. Soapstone adds to the
love of cooking and baking.
Remember, this is natural
stone, your pattern of veining and uniqueness are unlike anyone else’s in the
world. No two kitchens are
ever the same.
Does the softness of soapstone affect wear?
Soapstone will wear, softening the edges and accumulating some nicks, scratches,
and dents over time. Sinks
that were built 100 years ago
(those found in many New
England cellars) are still as
attractive as sinks built today. If you want to remove
a scratch, it can be removed
by lightly sanding with an 80
grit sandpaper (80 grit is the
finish of your stone). Soft
pressure and circular strokes
should be used letting the
paper do the work. Be care-
The natural matte (honed)
finished works well with all
kitchen cabinets and appliances.
23
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
USE AND CARE OF YOUR
SOAPSTONE SINK
A Few Simple Points of
Reference…
age, but due to the sinks slab
construction, it has square
corners. With regular rinsDetergents – To our knowl- ing, build-up should not be
edge, there is no deter- a problem. When you see
gent that will adversely a need to clean those coreffect soapstone. From a ners, we suggest using a soft
mild dishwashing liquid to scraper (like a vinyl vegabrasive cleaners such as etable brush) for a safe and
Chicago Wright apron front sink Comet or Ajax, soapstone easy clean up.
(shown above) is available at: has shown no
Oiling – History
www.greenmountainsoapstone.com ill effects due to
why you made a
has proven that
soapstones nongreat
oil inside the sink
porous
nature.
reacts a bit differdecision
In most cases, a
to install soapstone ently than on the
milder soap and
countertop. We
warm water clean
believe this is due to dish
up is all that is needed.
detergent removing the oil.
Inside the sink – You will
notice that the bottom of
your sink is sloped for drain-
“The Look.”
24
Thus, sink areas may take
a few more rub downs with
mineral oil to create a
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
consistent, dark look. Use
and time will bring the sinks
appearance to the traditional
soapstone look.
Why You Made a Great Decision to Install Soapstone
Soapstone has three characteristics that make it an
excellent choice for use as
kitchen sinks and countertops.
• Soapstone is heat resistant.
You can place a hot pan or
dish directly on the counter without any damage to
the counter. In most cases,
the stone will not even feel
warm to the touch.
• Soapstone is non-porous.
No products found in the
kitchen will penetrate the
stone. Other stone surfaces
such as granite, marble or
limestone have to be repeatedly sealed to prevent liquids from staining them.
• Soapstone is chemically
neutral. Acids like lemon or
tomato juice do not effect it,
nor do alkalis found in some
household cleaners.
No other solid surface
countertop material has
all three of these favorable
characteristics.
Thank you for choosing
to include our soapstone in
your lifestyle. We know you
will enjoy it for many years
to come!
Soapstone sinks can be custom
made to fit your needs.
25
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
STANDARD SOAPSTONE SINKS
Boston Williams sink
26.5” x 18.5” x 7.75”
(outside dimensions)
Chicago Wright sink
30” x 18.5” x 10”
(outside dimensions)
New England
Double Bowl sink
36” x 18.5” x 10”
(outside dimensions)
26
soapstone — YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
27
Green Mountain Soapstone is the
largest supplier of soapstone slabs to
the United States and Canada.
©Green Mountain Soapstone Corporation
680 East Hubbardton Road
P.O. Box 807 • Castleton, VT 05735
phone 802-468-5636 • fax 802-468-8968
info@greenmountainsoapstone.com
www.greenmountainsoapstone.com