Q. I have hard water stains on my soapstone countertops. It is an extremely hard and dense green soapstone, not the softer black and white. The rings and cloudy sponge marks are driving me crazy. My fabricator oiled the countertops and said that they didn't need sealing. It is true that oil seems to make the marks go away, but they come back. I tested white vinegar on a spot and it was better at first, but I let it sit longer and it got cloudier. Ideas?

A. Use a quality stone safe soap scum remover and a razor blade to gently shave the build up from the stone. If the spots you have are lighter than the surrounding areas then you most likely have an etch mark. If the etch mark is small or not severe, you can't feel the damage with your fingertips, you can generally polish it out yourself using a quality marble polishing compound. You can ask your professional stone and tile restoration contractor for recommendations. If the etching is severe or covers a large area, you will want to have it professionally restored. If you need a PRO, contact us