Etched Carrera Marble

ETCH MARKS ON MARBLE

In Cleaning & Maintenance by Charles

7 Points about etching on marble, how it is caused and how to identify them. Your questions answered about removing them and avoiding them in the future

Etched Marble Vanity Top
The white marks on this vanity top are all etch marks caused by soapy water, toothpaste and perfume etc which were left to dry on the marble.

BELOW ARE THE 7 MOST COMMON QUESTIONS I AM ASKED

1. What is an etch mark ?

An etch mark on marble is when the surface of the marble is altered by a corrosive chemical like acid even very mild acids. This is mainly due to the calcium carbonate in the stone which is easily eaten away by such chemicals so you may also have the same problem with polished limestones like Travertine. Most limestones contain a high percentage of Calcium Carbonate. Etch marks will often look lighter in colour when the etching has first happened, this leaves a very tiny layer of the stone a little rough to the touch where the polished surface has been removed.

Acid etched marble shelf
Etched & Stained Marble Shelf
The light green circle on this marble shelf is an etch mark caused by a bottle of toilet cleaner, the green stain went deep into the stone.

2. Why do etch marks look like stains ?

When I am called out to have a look at a client’s marble vanity top for instance and they will often describe them as stains. The reason they look like stains is because dirt accumulates in the etched areas and it looks darker. On a Carrera Marble kitchen work surfaces for example oil and grease will build up in the etched areas this will attract dirt and look a little darker than the rest of the marble.  Clients have also said to me when I clean it looks worse, this is because where the etching has occurred it absorbs more water and it looks darker for a short time until the stone dries out.

3. What substances cause etch marks in marble ?

Etched & Stained Kitchen Countertop
Etched & Stained Kitchen Countertop
All the dull spots on this marble countertop are etch marks and were caused by a variety of substances like fruit juice, wine and vinegar etc. The darker spots are where dirt, oil and grease has built up in the etch marks making them look like stains. 

Etch marks can be caused by a variety of different substances like fruit juices, alcohol, cleaning products and sauces etc The strength of the product and how long it is left on the surface of your marble also if a substance is left to dry on the stone, all of these will determine how bad the etching will be. In the case of cleaning products like limescale removers the damage is instantaneous, in the kitchen or a marble dining room table for example some sugary drinks if left to dry on the surface of the marble will affect the shine.

Bathroom marble vanity tops will be affected by things like aftershaves, perfumes and some hand soaps because they contain a small amount of alcohol. Tooth paste if left to dry on the surface of your vanity top will remove the shine, a sensitive marble like Nero Marquina will etch very easily so these and other products do not stain the marble they cause etch marks and are dull patches.

A vanity top in a London hotel etched by various products ranging from aftershave, perfume and the use of the wrong type of cleaning products.
AN ETCHED NERO MARQUINA VANITY TOP IN A LONDON HOTEL
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO SEE HOW IT WAS RESTORED
The marks on this vanity top were caused by soap dispensers and soapy running water left to dry on the surface of the marble.

4. Does honed marble etch ?

Honed marble does etch as well but because it is a flat finish the etch marks blend in better in the case of the lighter coloured marbles as we have said before once the dirt builds up in the etched areas it will look like a stain. Now because you do not have a shine to maintain on a honed surface you may use a stronger detergent with a little bleach in it for example which would lift the dirt in the etched area and it would appear as if the etch mark has been removed where as the etching is still there, again clients say to me the mark goes away and then it comes back again after a few days or weeks etc.

5. Will sealed marble etch ?

The simple answer is yes it will, most natural stones including polished marble is sealed with a silicone impregnator after the stone masons have completed the fabrication process. Silicone impregnators are applied to the Marble and allowed to sink into the stone for a few minutes. Any of the product that is left on the surface of the stone is removed and the protection this gives the marble is to form a silicone barrier below the surface of the stone. Silicone impregnators help to stop substances from seeping into the stone, like cooking oil and baby oil etc so most impregnators do not stop etching.  Etching is what happens to the surface of the stone. In my experience removing oil stains from marble can be much harder to remove than etch marks, so they should always be sealed with an impregnator as a minimum.

There are some seals that you can apply to the surface of the stone and these are best suited to Honed Marble for example and you would mainly use these to enhance the look of a matt finished stone, there are also seals available for a satin or gloss finish. All of these would give you a little more protection as it would take more time for the substance to break through the seal, but if you continually spilt wine or fruit juice on the sealed stone those types of liquid would eventually break through to the stone.

Maintenance sprays for cleaning and polishing creams and waxes will also give you some but very little protection against etching. These products are made to enhance the look of the stone and are not for the protection of the stone.

6. Can etch marks on marble be removed ?

Yes, they can be removed, and, in some cases, it is quite a simple process but first you need to identify how bad the etching is. My method for doing this is to very gently pass the tip of your finger nail a across the etch mark moving from the unaffected polished section over or across the etch mark and back onto the polished section again, do this several times. If you feel no deviation in the surface of the stone, it is possible to polish it out using a marble polishing powder or compound in my opinion it is best to use a professional service for this but there are some products available that you can try at your own risk.

The images above are of an etch mark removed using a marble polishing powder – The etch mark was caused by a perfume or aftershave bottle

Using the method above, if you do feel even the slightest deviation in the surface of the stone it will need to be lightly sanded back and then re-polished. I would suggest you use a professional service for this depending on how rough the surface is and how many etch marks will determine the cost of such a service, but rest assured the vast majority of etch marks can be completely removed and the polished marble returned to its former beauty.

The photos above were all surfaces affected by etching.  All the etching was successfully removed and the marble restored back to its original condition by myself

7. Avoiding etch marks and maintenance

It is best to get into the habit of wiping down your surfaces with a warm or hot damp cloth and buffing them dry immediately before it dries both after use or when you have a spillage. This takes less than a minute and is well worth the effort and in my experience, you will avoid many problems. Basically, do not leave the stone to dry, dry it off

Most over the counter products are very good but do not overload the stone with product, if you use too much at the start it can be hard work and you will not want to polish the surface regularly if you feel it will take too long especially in larger kitchens with an island unit etc.

When applying your polish start in the most used areas and work outwards to the other areas, that way you will find the process much easier

In your bathroom, invest in little dishes and containers for make up and oils etc there are some very decorative items out there and will enhance the look of all bathrooms, keep a dry cloth or flannel handy and dry the area off after use again this takes less than a minute and periodically check under your little dishes incase any water has worked its way under them use your polish or cream as often as you like but sparingly when you do

On dining tables, coffee tables and fireplaces if you have a flower display in this area or a potted plant, always place a dish under the pot or vase and check it regularly and keep it dry. Some of the worst cases of etching or staining I have encountered are in these areas of the home as plants, flowers and candles are left in the same place for days, weeks and sometimes months on end so, remember do not leave it to dry “dry it off” and enjoy your marble