How to Restore Etching on Marble & Granite Surfaces

Unlike stains and water spots, etching on marble and granite surfaces can be a bit more challenging to remove. This is because etching is the result of natural stone corroding due to contact with acidic or chemical substances, such as standard household cleaners or fruit juices.

Etch marks are actually quite common on marble and granite surfaces. This is primarily because homeowners are unaware that traditional, chemical-based cleaners can corrode natural stone and dull its appearance. As a result, marble and granite showers and kitchen countertops (two areas of the home that are regularly exposed to cleaners and citric acids) are often at risk of etching.

If etch marks appear on your marble or granite surfaces, first pinpoint how it happened. Knowing the cause can help you prevent future etching from occurring. Next you must determine the severity of the etch marks. Minor etching can usually be removed with specially-formulated restorer compounds, whereas extreme cases of etching may demand more extensive restoration products.

How to Remove Etch Marks from Natural Stone

With the right products and approach, homeowners can restore etching without needing to hire a professional. One of the most cost-efficient solutions is purchasing a granite or marble gloss restorer. Most gloss restoration products are formulated with polishing powders and safe compounds that remove etch marks, water spots, and light scratches. Such granite cleaning compounds cost between $15-20 and require little-to-no experience to apply.

If etch marks are severe, a granite/marble restoration or refinishing kit may be needed. These kits include the tools and restoration compounds needed to buff, clean, and refinish the surface of natural stone. Although most do-it-yourself granite refinishing kits can range between $100-300 (depending on whether or not you need a buffer,) the investment is still much cheaper than paying for professional restoration services.

The best approach to protect against etching on marble and granite surfaces is awareness and preventative maintenance. Simply knowing how to properly clean a natural stone surface with right product is essential to help sustain its original look. 

Mindful Tips to Clean & Maintain Your Marble Countertops

Maintaining and cleaning marble countertops should not be a difficult task. By learning the characteristics of marble, as well as the right way of it, you can maintain your marble countertops to sustain the life of your home.

Cleaning & Protecting Against Stains

A common misconception people have is that they believe marble to be a very porous, stain-sensitive natural stone. Although marble is indeed more porous than granite or quartz countertops, it's still rather resilient against staining.

That doesn't mean stains and water spots won't show up on a marble countertop from time to time. One of the best homemade marble cleaning solutions is to use an organic natural or liquid soap and hot water. Similarly, you can also grate a bar of natural soap if this option is more cost-efficient. There are also a number of marble cleaning products that are specifically designed to handle tough stains while still respecting the sensitivity of the stone.

A good approach to protect against staining is preventative marble maintenance. One of the best ways to ensure that your marble countertops do not stain easily is covering the surface with a marble sealer. A marble sealer offers lasting protection and can ward-off damaging stains.

Etching & Marble Restoration

Etching is not the same as staining. With etch marks, the marble’s surface is compromised by acidic substances which corrode marble and give it a dull appearance. The common culprits that cause etching on countertops are household cleaners that comprise of an array of harsh chemicals.

Although sealing a marble countertop can help to prevent staining, most marble sealers will not fully protect against etching, as these acidic substances can eat through the marble sealer. This why using marble for kitchen countertops (which may be regularly exposed to chemical cleaners) can be more vulnerable to etching as opposed to a marble bathroom or fireplace vanities.

Etch marks can be treated by homeowners using do-it-yourself marble restoration kits and buffing products. Most of these marble restoration kits cost a little over a $100, but are well worth the investment compared to professional marble restoration and refinishing services.

Polish & Protect Your Marble Countertops

Not only can regular marble polishing help protect your marble countertops from water, oil, and dirt penetration, but a marble polish can also enhance the color and luster of the stone's natural surface.

Keep in mind that marble polish is not a coating (like a marble sealer) and it does not contain any polymers. Professional-grade marble polish will not distort the color, clarity, or reflective capacity of natural stone - it only enhances these qualities. Such marble polishing should go hand-in-hand with marble cleaning to keep a lasting countertop surface. These products can cost anywhere from $10-30, depending on the quality.

Sustaining the life of your marble countertops takes conscious care and preventative maintenance. Simply knowing how to prevent certain risks, as well as how to handle them, is the best defense to protect and maintain your marble countertops.