IT’S REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT ever since Caesar Augustus made Rome into a city of marble homeowners have had to deal with etch marks. Whether it’s a spilled goblet of wine or a drippy can of soda, marble countertops are under constant attack from acidic food and beverages that leave dull or discolored marks know as etching. What causes etch marks in marble and how difficult are they to remove?

What Causes Etch Marks in Marble?

Etch marks are not stains. While stains are caused by liquids seeping into the pores of marble, etch marks occur when acid eats away a little bit of the surface. Why does this happen?

Marble is primarily made of calcite, also known as calcium carbonate, which reacts strongly with acid. Calcium carbonate, by the way, is the active ingredient in Tums, so if you’ve ever taken a Tums to neutralize stomach acid, in a sense you’ve been eating crushed marble. Anyway, it’s clear that marble and acid do not get along together. And no matter how quickly you clean up that spilled tomato sauce or vinaigrette, the minute the two come in contact the etching begins.

Do I Have to Remove Etch Marks from Marble?

Nope. If you are comfortable with the lived-in look of etched marble you can simply leave it alone without fear of harming your countertops. A honed finish will also help to diminish the appearance of etches. For more information on marble finishes and sealing, please see our About Marble page.

Removing Etch Marks From Marble

Although a polished finish makes etch marks stand out, it also makes removing them fairly simple. All you will need is a clean rag, marble polishing powder, and some elbow grease to re-polish the surface. One caveat: if you have dark-colored polished marble or are thinking of installing it check the polishing product label first. Many polishes will not work on black or dark brown and green marble.

Removing etches from honed marble is more complicated. The affected area will require resurfacing, and while there are many shortcuts and hacks, the recommended way is with diamond abrasive pads. If you have the tools and ability you can purchase a kit and do the work yourself. Otherwise it might be better to call in the professionals, especially if you want the countertops to be resealed as well.

Whether polished or honed, if the marble has etch marks over a large area or if the etching is rough to the touch that is a good indication that your countertops need a skilled professional. If you would like more information about restoring marble countertops, please feel free to contact WilgusIQ.