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General Counter Cleaning

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How to Clean Concrete Countertops

How to Clean Stone Countertops

Durable stone countertops add beauty and value to any kitchen and provide a professional-quality surface for baking. Stone requires frequent maintenance to prevent stains, though, and must be cared for gently to protect the finish.

Cleaning Stone Countertops

Marble, granite, and slate are the most common stone countertop materials. Clean these countertops carefully, as some common household chemicals can damage them.

What to use: Use pH-neutral cleaners when cleaning stone countertops—acidic or alkaline cleansers can etch or degrade the stone’s surface. A few drops of mild dishwashing liquid dissolved in water works well, as do food-safe stone cleaners sold at hardware stores.
What not to use: Bleach can discolor stone countertops, so avoid household cleaners that contain chlorine bleach. Never use abrasive cleaners or tools on stone counters, especially polished counters, as they will scratch the finish and remove the sealant that protects countertops from stains.

Cleaning Soapstone

Long used in chemistry labs and older homes, soapstone countertops are making a comeback in modern kitchens. Soapstone requires frequent applications of food-grade mineral oil but is impervious to all chemicals. You can clean soapstone countertops with vinegar, ammonia, or an all-purpose cleaner.

Maintaining Stone Countertops

In the kitchen, stains are the biggest threat to stone. The best way to prevent stains is to make sure you seal your stone countertops regularly. Even sealed countertops can be vulnerable to staining, though, so always be sure to clean up countertop stains quickly.

Sealing stone countertops: If you’re working with new stone countertops, ask the installer or supplier whether the counters have been sealed and, if so, how often you should reseal them. If you don’t know whether your stone countertops need to be sealed, place a drop of water on the counter. If the water stays beaded on the surface, the sealant is intact. If the water absorbs into the surface, the counter needs to be sealed. Reseal stone counters with a sealant made specifically for your type of stone (granite, marble, and so on) about once a year.

Maintaining Soapstone Countertops

Do not seal soapstone countertops—instead, protect your soapstone with mineral oil. Rub mineral oil into the entire surface of a newly installed soapstone countertop, and repeat about once a week until oiling the countertop no longer darkens its color. After that point, oil the countertop again every six months.

Removing Stains from Stone Countertops

Because harsh and abrasive cleansers can damage stone countertops, to remove stains you’ll need to use a poultice— a mass of paper or other porous material, such as baking soda or flour, that’s treated with a solvent. You can make a poultice out of baking soda and water or buy one at a hardware store or stone dealer. Store-bought poultices come premixed or with easy instructions for mixing at home.

Mix the poultice: If you didn’t buy a premixed poultice, mix yours according to the directions on the label. A poultice of baking soda and water should be the consistency of peanut butter.
Apply the poultice: Wet the area with a bit of water, then cover the stain completely with the poultice. Cover the poultice with plastic wrap and tape down the edges thoroughly so that no air can enter.
Allow to dry: As the poultice dries, it will pull the stain out of the stone. After about 24 hours, remove the plastic and allow the poultice to dry completely for another 24–48 hours. After the poultice is dry, remove it and wipe the surface clean.
Repeat if necessary: It may take several poultice applications to remove stubborn stains. If you don’t see improvement after 2–3 tries, consult a stone dealer.