The Durable Concrete Countertop Alternative That's Easy To Clean

Finding the right countertop material can be tricky, and concrete has been sitting at the top of the pile for a while now. While concrete countertops are an excellent option for many reasons, including the fact they are heat-resistant and can be made in heaps of styles, concrete is also very porous. This means it's particularly susceptible to stains and is one of the hardest countertop materials to keep clean. If you love the look of concrete but not the fact it won't be simple to maintain, try soapstone countertops instead.

If you haven't heard of it before, soapstone is considered to be a natural stone countertop material like marble and granite. It's a great pick because, like concrete, it's heat-resistant. However, unlike concrete, it won't blow your budget and is additionally non-porous. The best thing about the material is that it's incredibly easy to keep looking as good as it did the day you unpacked it. If you've been looking for a countertop that will hold up well even in the busiest of kitchens, soapstone is a great and durable pick.

To clean your soapstone countertops, you'll need warm water, some mild soap, and a non-abrasive sponge. While you won't scratch the surface of your soapstone, a rough sponge could leave behind residue. Pour a hefty amount of soap into a container or bucket full of warm water and then use the sponge to clean your counters. When you have thoroughly cleaned, keep soaking the sponge anew in fresh warm water and wiping until no soap suds are visible on the counters. 

If you want to disinfect your soapstone, you can DIY a natural counter-cleaning solution of white vinegar and some more water. Mix together equal parts vinegar and water and dispense into a spray bottle. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can use a microfiber cloth to dip into the solution. Vinegar will act as a disinfectant to get rid of any lingering germs. Best of all, once you have sprayed, you don't actually need to wipe away the vinegar-water mix. Leaving it to dry is completely fine (though you can wipe if you wish). 

You can also use mineral oil to turn your soapstone counters from a light gray shade to a deeper dark gray or black shade. Some counters will come pre-oiled, so it's best to check before diving in. Overall, soapstone is an excellent material to choose for your counters if you live a busy lifestyle.