Soapstone is a unique natural stone when it comes to care and maintenance. Although you can darken and age your soapstone with organic wax and oil, there are little other steps when it comes to care and maintenance. For more information, check out our blog or contact us.
Soapstone requires soap and water, no sealers needed. If your soapstone scratches, the consumer, without the help of a professional, can easily sand it off.
Garden State Soapstone ™, Slate & Wood Countertops serves New Jersey, New York, all five boroughs of New York City, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware.
Learn more at www.gardenstatesoapstone.com or check out our blog. Feel free to contact us with any additional questions that you may have.
Friday May, 2021
While everyone agrees on the elegance of marble, the upkeep leaves people questioning its practicality. If you have your heart set on marble counters in your home, follow these tips to give yourself a good start on maintenance. Cleaning Marble Cleaning marble is not as difficult as people make it sound. We’ll discuss staining and… Continue reading Caring for Marble Countertops
Monday February, 2020
You’ve probably noticed your kitchen is where the real party happens. Even if you have a tiny kitchen, all of your guests end up there at one time. Whether they’re trying to help, snack between serving, or just talk near the coffee maker, consider these kitchen design elements so you’re ready for entertaining. Take a… Continue reading Kitchen Design for Entertaining
Friday April, 2019
As a natural stone, traditional soapstone ages gracefully and shows signs of wear over time – an organic and distressed look, if you desire. The aging of the soapstone or patina adds to the authenticity of your home, especially in your kitchen where most of the life action happens. This aging of soapstone is very… Continue reading All about Aging: Soapstone Patina and Care
Saturday August, 2017
The Best Countertops for Busy Kitchens What are the best countertops for busy kitchens? You may have had a countertop that didn’t last very long. On the other hand, you may have had a countertop that out-welcomed its stay as it collected scratches, burns, or discoloration. As you renovate your kitchen, it’s important to chose… Continue reading The Best Countertops for Busy Kitchens
Friday April, 2017
Organic Wax and Oil Garden State Soapstone ™ developed and makes our very own organic wax and oil for your soapstone countertops. While very few customers prefer leaving their soapstone untreated, we highly recommend treating your soapstone to increase the aging process, and beautify and enhance your soapstone as well. Here’s why. Soapstone comes from… Continue reading Organic Wax and Oil
Sunday October, 2016
We frequently talk about Patina Patina is how your soapstone naturally ages. It’s why quarried traditional soapstone, in its natural state, is light blue gray or darker grey. Typically the darker soapstone is harder, with less talc. Soapstone countertops will age (patina) or darken naturally. However this could take some time and typically is inconsistent,… Continue reading What is Patina?
Thursday August, 2016
When it comes to countertops, slate is growing in popularity. It’s no surprise: slate is a consumer-friendly, natural stone that’s quarried locally. With a variety of colors from grey and green to red and mottled purple, it presents a wide range of selections for home renovations. Here are 10 facts about slate countertops you should… Continue reading Why Slate Countertops? 10 Facts
Saturday August, 2016
10 Facts About Soapstone Consider this Soapstone 101. There’s a lot of information around about soapstone. We want to make sure you have the most accurate details. We made a list of our “Top 10” soapstone facts! 1) Soapstone is impermeable and stain resistant. It’s easy to clean with mild soap and water, and no… Continue reading Back to Basics: Soapstone 101
Saturday July, 2016
Renovating your kitchen in New York City or New Jersey? A major kitchen renovation can not only beautify your home, but result in a major return on investment. So it’s important to think through the process of renovating by choosing a design that’s right for you, with materials that will last forever. You should begin… Continue reading Where to Start when Renovating Your Kitchen
Saturday June, 2016
Marble In Your Kitchen Marble is beautiful and timeless. It brings a soft elegance that brightens up any room. Plus, the growing interest in texture has lead to an increased demand for honed, long-lasting, natural stones. Many of our clients are wary that this material might be difficult to maintain. Though it’s one of the… Continue reading Maintaining Marble in your Kitchen
Friday June, 2016
We love soapstone for a variety of reasons. But mostly, because it’s a sustainable material. Soapstone has been used for centuries, primarily for cooking, due to its heat resistant properties. Primarily composed of talc, magnate, and chlorite, it occurs naturally. In terms of hardness, it ranges from a 2.5 to a 5.0 on the Mohs… Continue reading Is Soapstone Sustainable?
Friday June, 2016
What is the Mohs Scale? At Garden State Soapstone ™, customers frequently ask about the difference between harder soapstone and softer (traditional) soapstone. To answer this question, it’s important to first talk about the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale characterizes the range of hardness that different minerals contain. Specifically, it identifies scratch resistance of various… Continue reading Soapstone and the Mohs Scale
Thursday May, 2016
Soapstone Wax and Oil From the kitchen, to the bathroom, to an outdoor kitchen, soapstone counter and table tops add a flare of natural beauty to any decor style. How to finish soapstone is a personal preference, though your fabricator may have some input. Garden State Soapstone ™ recommends three ways to age your soapstone… Continue reading Should I Oil, Wax, or Leave Them Be?
Tuesday May, 2011
Care & Maintenance for your Wood Countertops Straight from the experts! Here are some tips on daily maintenance, scratch removal, and how to apply a top coat to your wood countertops: Daily Maintenance for Wood Countertops Use a 20%-80% vinegar/water solution to clean your top. Do NOT use ammonia-based cleaners; over time they will soften… Continue reading Keep Your Wood Countertops Looking Brand New!
Wednesday April, 2011
Dr. Bubbles and Your Soapstone As I have discussed before, the care & maintenance for soapstone is minimal and very simple. The most common way to keep your soapstone looking beautiful was by using mineral oil, until a better solution came about – Dry Wax. There are many benefits to the wax such as: Eliminates the… Continue reading Dr. Bubbles to the rescue!
Wednesday March, 2011
How should I treat my Soapstone? Care and Maintenance for your Soapstone How should I treat my soapstone? We’ve got the answer! Here are 3 maintenance free ways of treating your soapstone. Absolutely no oiling required. • 95% of our clients no longer use Mineral Oil. Traditionally most soapstone customers used a mineral oil to… Continue reading How Should I Treat My Soapstone?
Wednesday March, 2011
What if Soapstone Scratches? Are you afraid of ruining your beautiful new soapstone countertops? Don’t be! So, what if your soapstone scratches? You as a consumer can fix it! If your soapstone countertop becomes scratched, follow these easy restoration steps: Most scratches will disappear with a dab of mineral oil. To permanently remove a deep… Continue reading Go Ahead, Scratch your Soapstone!
