Scratches on soapstone are, however, not particularly difficult to remove though. The fact that it is a non-porous material, prevents it from experiencing the same damages from abrasive substances such as vinegar, Windex, ammonia, and bleach that other countertops typically experience.
Any cleaner is acceptable for soapstone but keep in mind that the more aggressive the cleaner, the more it will strip off the mineral oil. For daily cleaning we would recommend using a dishwashing liquid (Palmolive, Dove, Joy etc).
If you don't have a coating on your natural stone surfaces but are still worried about disinfecting, regular Clorox Wipes can be used to give your counters a wipe down in a pinch, but don't let them sit directly on the stone!
Any common household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone counter surfaces. Chemicals and acids do not harm it. However, we do recommend that you use regular soap and water because harsher solvents may remove the mineral oil treatment, therefore generating more maintenance.
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.
Polishing Soapstone with oil
Using a soft cloth, wipe on a light coat of boiled linseed oil. Tung oil or Danish oil can also be used. Do not apply heavy coats or the oil will become gummy and hard to polish. Wipe off the excess oil and allow drying.
Believe it or not, bleach will not harm it either. However, Bleach is not needed, since the soapstone's natural high density will not harbor bacteria of any kind. Simple soapstone and water or vinegar and water. Will work wonderfully well and clean any surface bacteria just as well as bleach or harsh cleaners.
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.
Cleaning soapstone countertops is simple: Use a mild dish soap or a pH-neutral cleaner mixed with water. Apply the solution to the countertop using a soft cloth or sponge.
Soapstone is chemically inert, meaning it will not react to any chemicals or other substances on your countertops, i.e. acids just as lemon juice, wine, etc. This also means that you can use a harsher anti-bacterial treatment such as Lysol or bleach and it will have no negative reaction.
You should apply it with a clean cloth, then wipe the excess away—it's that simple. Although soapstone is naturally nonporous, it will benefit from a beautifying sealer like SimpleCoat to make the colors pop and protect it from staining. Water, oil and greasy substances can cause it to become discolored and stained.
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated to remove stains, grease, and grime from natural stone and manufactured stone. Gentle enough to use daily on granite, quartz, silestone, and soapstone.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
Soapstone is used because it's heat resistant and needs little maintenance.
Soapstone is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.
To preserve the color of your soapstone, it should be resealed every three or four years. The frequency may depend on the amount of stress the sealant is exposed to; however, scratches on the surface of the sealant usually only require application to the affected area.
After that, you should plan to oil your stone once every month or when your counters start to get too light. If your sink happens to lighten up quicker than the rest of your countertops, we recommend our mineral oil and bee's wax combination. It may take a bit more elbow grease, but it's sure to last longer.
Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Follow manufacturer recommendations.
Unlike other kinds of stone, soapstone doesn't require any sealant, making it easier for you to walk on even while wet. However, it would be best if you considered installing a showerpan with soapstone tile layered on top instead of solid slabs of the stone for your shower area.
Since soapstone is non-porous, it is easy to clean. However, you need to use mild soap and a soft sponge.
Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
Alberene Soapstone wax can be applied as frequently as needed depending on the shade of black that you desire. Zajac suggests applying the wax weekly in the beginning to make the soapstone darken faster than normal.