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.
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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You should not use Lysol on your granite countertops, backsplashes or vanity tops. The cleaner contains harsh ingredients that can cause your sealer to lose its effectiveness. In specific, scents such as lemon contain citric acid, so you need to keep away from those.
Bleach, vinegar, the ingredients in Lysol, and others can cause permanent damage, especially if used incorrectly. Acids, such as vinegar and even lemon juice, can break down the sealant that is used on stone countertops. Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops.
Just use soap, warm water, and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge. Thoroughly scrub the entire surface with soap and water. Rinse the sponge, repeat with a clean, damp sponge to remove soap residue, and then dry with a soft dish or hand towel.
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.
Soapstone is used because it's heat resistant and needs little maintenance.
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.
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.
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.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
How do I properly dust natural stone? Keep surface free of dust/dirt by regularly "dusting" floor/countertop with dry cotton dust mop/cloth or by using a dry Swiffer floor mop. If a cotton dust mop is used, regularly machine wash and dry the mop head to remove any dirt/debris.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Natural Stone Surfaces
Never use abrasive cleansers, “soft scrub” products, or harsh/acidic chemicals on any stone as these can scratch or dull the polished finish. This includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners, such as Windex.
Acidic commercial cleaners and those containing harsh chemicals, like bleach, can damage and dull natural stone surfaces.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
Diluted hydrogen peroxide works well on Sandstone, Marble, Bluestone, and Travertine. In the case of Granite floor, simply brush the area in dry condition. No solution is required to cleanse moulds or algae from Granite floor.