The essentials in 30 seconds
Soapstone is almost non-porous and very resistant to chemicals, so water and a gentle cleanser are enough day to day; many owners also apply mineral oil from time to time to darken it evenly, and small scratches can be blended with oil (larger ones with sandpaper). Granite, marble and other natural stone: clean with a neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water, rinse and dry. Marble and other calcareous stones are sensitive to acids: no lemon, vinegar or acidic cleaners. Engineered quartz needs only warm water, a soft cloth and mild soap, and never needs sealing or polishing. Laminate: mild liquid detergent on a damp cotton cloth, rinse without flooding the seams, and dry.
- Blot spills on stone straight away instead of wiping them across.
- Avoid scouring powders and creams on stone.
- Use trivets for hot pans on stone and quartz.
Identify your countertop
| Material | Everyday cleaning | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Soapstone | Water and a gentle cleanser; soap and water | Nothing in particular chemically, but it scratches easily |
| Granite, quartzite (siliceous stone) | Neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid in warm water; rinse; dry | Acidic cleaners as a habit; abrasives; rust removers with HF |
| Marble, limestone (calcareous stone) | Mild, non-acidic cleaner; rinse; dry | Lemon, vinegar and other acids, which dull or etch; abrasives |
| Engineered quartz (Cambria) | Warm water, soft cotton cloth, mild soap if needed | Direct heat; harsh, heavy-duty cleaners are unnecessary |
| Laminate (Formica) | Mild liquid detergent or household cleaner on a damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth; rinse; dry | Flooding the seams, which can make the substrate swell; leaving cleanser residue |
How to clean soapstone countertops
Soapstone is made mainly of talc. The Use Natural Stone resource explains that it has an absorbency of near zero, a very high resistance to chemicals and acids, does not need sealing and only needs water and a gentle cleanser for regular maintenance. Vermont Soapstone adds that after oiling you can use ordinary household cleansers, but usually soap and water works fine.
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01
Daily
Wipe with soap and water and dry.
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02
Oil when needed
When water starts leaving a noticeable dark spot, reapply mineral oil.
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03
How to oil
Rub mineral oil over the whole surface with a clean rag, leave it about half an hour and wipe off the excess with another dry rag.
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04
How often
Vermont Soapstone says most people oil about once a month for the first year; some stop after a couple of months.
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Scratches
Small ones: rub with your thumb or a little oil. Larger ones: sandpaper, or ask a stone professional.
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Prevent
Use cutting boards; soapstone is soft (1 to 4 on the Mohs scale).
Oiling is optional: it darkens and evens out the colour, but many people prefer untreated soapstone. Some suppliers also offer wax products as an alternative to mineral oil.
Cleaning natural stone countertops
The Natural Stone Institute's routine:
- Spills: blot immediately with a paper towel, do not wipe (it spreads the spill), flush with water and mild soap, rinse several times and dry with a soft cloth.
- Cleaning: neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid in warm water; too much soap leaves a film and streaks.
- Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
- Coasters under glasses, especially alcohol and citrus juices, and trivets under hot pans.
- Oil stains: clean gently with a soft liquid cleanser plus household detergent, mineral spirits or acetone.
- Sealing: some stones are sealed with impregnating sealers to make them more stain resistant, not stain proof; in food areas the sealer must be non-toxic and safe. Ask your supplier whether your stone needs it.
Cleaning engineered quartz countertops
Cambria says that all you need for its quartz countertops is warm water, a soft cotton cloth and mild soap if desired; harsh, heavy-duty cleaners are unnecessary. Quartz never needs routine polishing or sealing. Like stone, it should not get direct heat: keep a trivet or hot pad handy. Other quartz brands may have their own care rules, so check the manufacturer's care guide.
Cleaning laminate countertops
Formica's three-step routine for its laminate:
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01
Clean
A clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth with a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner, in a rotating motion.
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02
Rinse
Clean water on a clean cotton cloth. Do not flood the laminate, especially near seams: water can get in and make the substrate swell.
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03
Dry
A soft, clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth.
For tougher stains, Formica suggests acetone, rubbing alcohol or ethanol on a damp cloth or sponge in circular motions, a nylon bristle brush if the stain is stubborn, and then rinsing and drying, making sure no cleanser is left on the surface. Acetone and alcohol are flammable: ventilate and follow the label.
Cleaning countertops: frequently asked questions
How do I clean soapstone countertops?
With water and a gentle cleanser or soap. Dry it, and reapply mineral oil when water leaves dark spots, if you oil your soapstone.
Do soapstone countertops need sealing?
No. Soapstone has almost no porosity and does not need to be sealed.
How do I remove scratches from soapstone?
Small scratches can be blended by rubbing or with a little mineral oil; larger ones with sandpaper, or with help from a stone professional.
Can I use vinegar on stone countertops?
Not on marble and other calcareous stones: acids such as vinegar and lemon can dull or etch them. The Natural Stone Institute recommends neutral cleaners on all stone.
How do I clean laminate countertops?
With a mild liquid detergent on a damp cotton cloth, then rinse without flooding the seams and dry. Formica suggests acetone, rubbing alcohol or ethanol for tougher stains.
What is the best way to clean quartz countertops?
Warm water, a soft cloth and mild soap. Quartz does not need sealing or polishing.
Sources
Stone industry and manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Natural Stone Institute · Care and cleaning of natural stone ↗Calcareous vs siliceous stone; coasters and trivets; blotting spills; neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dishwashing liquid; rinsing and drying; acids etch calcareous stone; abrasive powders; hydrofluoric acid in rust removers; never mix ammonia and bleach; sealing; oil-based stains with detergent, mineral spirits or acetone. Read in the browser.
- Use Natural Stone · Caring for soapstone countertops ↗Talc composition; near-zero absorbency; chemical resistance; no sealing; water and a gentle cleanser; Mohs 1–4; scratches with mineral oil or sandpaper; optional oiling. Read in the browser.
- Vermont Soapstone · Caring for soapstone ↗First and follow-up oiling; reapply when water leaves a dark spot; about monthly for a year; soap and water cleaning; early scratches as displaced oil; wax alternatives.
- Formica · Laminate cleaning and maintenance ↗Three-step cleaning with mild detergent, rinsing and drying; not flooding seams (substrate swelling); acetone, rubbing alcohol or ethanol for tough stains; nylon bristle brush; removing all cleanser.
- Cambria · Guide to caring for and cleaning quartz countertops ↗Warm water, soft cotton cloth and mild soap; no polishing or sealing; no direct heat, trivets.
Etch marks or deep scratches?
Cleaning will not fix them: ask your stone supplier or a stone professional for advice.