If you would rather consult with a stone restoration professional, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

In essence, etching is a dull mark on natural stone composed of calcium carbonate caused by surface damage. It occurs when acidic materials come into touch with countertops, floors, walls, or any other calcareous stone (natural stone made up of calcium carbonate).

Etching is the physical change that occurs to marble when acid interacts with the stone's calcium carbonate makeup. Etch marks can appear on honed marble or polished marble if cutting boards aren't used.

Common food items, such as lemons, colas, ketchup, and even some well-known home cleaning chemicals, can all leave an etch mark. 

When a marble surface is exposed to acids, the shiny surface layer is corroded and consumed away, leaving a dim spot that may be mistaken for a stain. 

The etching is caused when an acidic substance comes in contact with a Marble surface.

Yes, marble stains, unfortunately, even sealed marble etches. A polished surface can still leave an etch mark. The good news is, however, that it takes much longer for a marble stain or etching to occur on sealed marble or a honed surface when compared to unsealed marble.

Marble etch marks occur whenever any acidic liquid stays on the surface for long enough that it begins to corrode the surface.

There are a few different ways that you can prevent etching on your marble surfaces. The best way to prevent etching is to avoid contact with acidic materials altogether.

However, this is not always possible or practical. If you are going to be using acidic materials, such as cleaning products, it is important to rinse the area well afterwards and dry it with a soft cloth. 

You can also use marble sealers and cleaners that contain alkaline ingredients to help neutralize acids.

If etching has already occurred, there are a few ways to try and remove it. You can start by polishing the area with a marble polishing powder. 

If this does not work, you can try sanding the area with a high-grit sandpaper. If these methods do not work, you may need to consult a professional for help.

Etching is typical with marble, limestone, onyx, travertine, and sometimes Quartzite. 

Here are some things that commonly cause etching: harsh cleaning products like bleach, acidic liquid like vinegar, Ammonia, acidic food like fruit, orange juice, Salad dressing, Juice, Coffee, Wine, Cola and improper cleaning products and others.

Some of these substances will just etch your stone while others could both stain and etch. It is important to remember that even sealed marble can etch, so it is always best to avoid contact with acidic materials if possible.

By following the tips in this article, you can help prevent your marble surfaces from etching and getting those dull spots. 

If etching has already occurred, there are a few ways to try and remove it. However, if these methods do not work, you may need to consult a professional for help.

If etching has already occurred, there are a few ways to try and remove it. You can start by polishing the area with a marble polishing powder.

When a polished marble countertop has only a few etch marks, it’s often possible to restore the shine by rubbing with a soft cloth and a paste made of water and a marble polishing powder.

However, reducing a single etch line may take several lengthy minutes of polishing.

It's time for a stone restoration professional if your countertops throughout a kitchen are scuffed with etch marks, or if the etches are so deep that even after you try to polish them away, they remain.

We are a family-run business based in Canary Wharf, London, offering professional marble restoration services in the greater London area. With years of experience, our skilled team is dedicated to restoring the beauty and elegance of your marble surfaces to their original glory. Whether your marble surfaces are dull, stained, scratched, or damaged, we can provide a tailored restoration solution to meet your specific needs. Our services include cleaning, polishing, honing, repairing cracks and chips, and sealing to protect against future damage. 

The best way to prevent etching is to always use chopping boards when preparing food and to avoid contact with acidic materials altogether.
However, this is not always possible or practical. 

If you are going to be using acidic materials, such as cleaning products, it is important to rinse the area well afterwards and dry it with a soft cloth. 

You can also use marble sealers and cleaners that contain alkaline ingredients to help neutralize acids.

Sealed marble will etch, but it takes much longer for etching to occur on sealed marble or a honed surface when compared to unsealed marble.

Does vinegar etch marble?
Vinegar is an acidic substance that can etch marble. If you spill vinegar on your marble surfaces, it is important to clean it up immediately and rinse the area well. You can also use a marble sealer or cleaner that contains alkaline ingredients to help neutralize the acid in the vinegar.

Will baking soda etch marble?
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can etch marble. If you spill baking soda on your marble surfaces, it is important to clean it up immediately and rinse the area well. You may also use an alkaline sealer or cleanser to neutralize the acid in the baking soda.

What does an etch look like on Marble?
An etch on marble will look like a dull spot on the surface of the marble. Etching is typically more noticeable on polished marble than it is on honed or brushed finishes.

Etching is a common problem with marble surfaces. But what exactly is etching? Etching occurs when acidic substances come into contact with natural stones and remove the protective layer of the stone, causing it to become dull and scratched.

 Etches typically look like water spots or light scratches on the surface of your marble and can be difficult to remove.

Can bleach etch marble?
Yes, bleach can etch marble. If you spill bleach on your marble surfaces, it is important to clean it up immediately and rinse the area well.

 You may also use a marble sealer or cleaner that contains alkaline ingredients to help neutralize the acid in the bleaching agent.

Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent but it should be used with caution on marble surfaces as it can etch the marble. If you do use bleach to clean your marble, be sure to rinse the area well afterwards and dry it with a soft cloth.

Does baking soda remove etching from marble?
Yes, sprinkle a little bit of baking soda over the marble. Using a soft, damp cloth, gently massage the baking soda into the marble. You don't want to scrub because it would harm the surface.

Use a soft cloth to wipe down the surface after rinsing with water. You want to make sure you rinse with water to neutralize the pH and dry the surface well, so that the solution doesn't come into contact with the marble surface for any longer than necessary.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and an natural disinfectant. However, you must be careful not to apply it too roughly on marble surfaces. Light abrasives can still harm soft surfaces. Make sure all traces of baking soda are removed so it doesn't come into contact with your marble surfaces again.

Does granite etch like marble?
Granite is a harder stone than marble and is less likely to etch. However, it is still possible for granite to etch if it comes into contact with acidic substances.

If you spill something acidic on your granite surfaces, it is important to clean it up immediately and rinse the area well. You may also use a granite sealer or cleaner that contains alkaline ingredients to help neutralize the acid.

What does lemon juice do to marble?
Lemon juice is an acidic substance that can etch marble. If you spill lemon juice on your marble surfaces, it is important to clean it up immediately and rinse the area well.

 You may also use a marble sealer or cleaner that contains alkaline ingredients to help neutralize the acid in the lemon juice.

Calcium carbonate is the most common material in marble, and it's susceptible to acid. Lemon juice has an acidic pH of around 2; a neutral pH is 7. So it is very acidic. 

The lemon juice causes the marble to bleach and develop white spots, while also etching the marble. The chemical change in the finish is caused by the etching.

Can you fix the etched marble?
If your marble surfaces have been etched, you may be able to fix them with a marble polishing kit. These kits contain abrasive pads and special polishes that can help to remove etching and restore shine to your marble. 

If you can't do this yourself it might be time to consult a professional.

In conclusion, marble etching is a common problem that can occur when acidic substances come into contact with marble surfaces.
However, there are ways to prevent etching, and to fix it if it does occur.

 Be sure to clean up any spills immediately, and use a marble sealer or cleaner that contains alkaline ingredients. If your marble surfaces have been etched, you may be able to fix them with a marble polishing kit.

These kits contain abrasive pads and special polishes that can help to remove etching and restore the shine to your marble. If you are unsure of how to fix the problem yourself, it is best to consult a professional.