You can make various natural soapstone cleaners with water and white vinegar, water and soap, water and lemon juice, or many other combinations. The key to choosing a natural soapstone cleaner that works best for your home is considering loved ones' health conditions.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The application of mineral oil is the most commonly mentioned method of restoring the look of soapstone counters. Mineral oil works to quicken the natural darkening process of soapstone and leaves off a soapy residue (that's why it's called soapstone!).
Cleaning Soapstone
Usually just wiping the soapstone with soap and water works just fine. A soapstone sink will stand up to any mild cleaner. Sink corners can be easily kept clean with the use of a small vegetable brush when needed.
Avoid the use of cleaners with added phosphorus or bleach and products such as Scotchbrite® pads. OIL RE-APPLICATION: We recommend re-applying mineral oil to your soapstone surfaces every 6 months, or as needed, to seal and protect the surface.
Since soapstone is non-porous, it is easy to clean. However, you need to use mild soap and a soft sponge.
Soapstone doesn't stain: Soapstone is non-porous, which means it won't stain and you don't have to worry about bacteria growing like you do with other countertop materials. It also doesn't react to acid, which often causes stains on other countertops.
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.
"It is a softer material, so it does scratch easier," Carbia says. Homes with children who drop things, or homeowners who prefer cutting straight on the countertop as opposed to using a cutting board, might damage soapstone.
If you have natural stone tiles anywhere in your house, avoid cleaning them with vinegar, lemon, or ammonia. The acidity in the products etches and dulls the stone, says Elena Ledoux, owner of Superb Maids in Las Vegas, Nevada. To repair, it will require a very expensive re-polishing process.
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.
Soapstone is dense, without pores, does not stain, and repels water.
While soapstone is a highly durable surface, it's possible to scratch it. However, unlike other materials used for countertops, buffing the scratch with mineral oil will help remove the scratches.
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.
Mineral oil is recommended for coating Soapstone sinks and counter-tops.
With soapstone, if water droplets leave a dark spot, re-oil. Wax, on the other hand, is known for giving your soapstone an even richer, deeper color. The deep, charcoal gray created by these special waxes is breathtaking. Some homeowners claim the soapstone countertops treated with wax feel smoother to the touch.
Soapstone counters can scratch easily, and they require routine oiling to maintain their appearance. They also come in limited color options and are more expensive than other countertop materials.
Baby Oil makes the stone even darker than mineral oil and is easier to apply because it is so thin. Dry-wax does not evaporate or dry out nearly as quickly and tends to have the very same look.