ADVICE, MAINTENANCE
Most common affects to surface of marble or stone:
In the trade of “stonemasonry” most issues are called etching: Etching is when the surface
(shine) of the marble or stone if affected by none PH neutral chemicals from inappropriate
cleaners, liquids and food stuffs.
Mystery of Marble Etching
Marble (travertine, limestone and any "calcific" stone too) is sensitive and reactive with certain
types of foods, products and chemicals, which can damage the surface finish leaving dull and/or
lighter-coloured whitish spot often described as a "water spot", "water stain", "glass-ring", or
"ghost stain".
So, if you spill acidic orange juice (or any of the many other acidic foods and drinks) on marble it
will corrode the surface. This corrosive chemical reaction will essentially eliminate the shiny
surface layer achieved from the marble polishing process described above revealing the dull
marble underneath.
Likewise, if you use the wrong products for cleaning marble (too acidic or too alkaline) you can
destroy the shiny finish over the entire surface making your whole marble countertop or floor
"dull".
Etching begins on contact and the longer the exposure the more severe the etching.
And sealing does not prevent etching. You must prevent contact with the reactive substances.
An etch mark is not a stain. Nothing has absorbed into the marble. Also, plain water (unless
acidic like some well and city water supplies) does not cause it. Etching and staining are two
completely different processes.
You may hear or read that "marble stains easy". Actually marble does not stain easily... it
"etches" easily and most (including many in the stone industry) don't know the difference.
Here's the twist about how a shiny finish is created and how marble polishing is done...
As noted above, the original finish (no matter what type) is done "at the factory" with machines.
Applying some potion or chemical does not do it.
However... a previously polished marble countertop or tile that has dull spots from etching can
be repaired rather easily using a nifty DIY marble polish made specifically for this purpose.
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