How Fast Does Marble Etch?

by Amanda Robertson

QUESTION:

I am wanting to use Crema Marfil marble for two of my kitchen counter tops. I have received much conflicting information. Is a coffee spill likely to immediately etch the surface or does etching only occur if the spill is left on the surface for sometime? i.e. if I were to immediately wipe up coffee or wine spillages would this prevent etching?

ANSWER:

The answer is not a simple yes or no. Let me explain....

Will coffee etch immediately? Yes, but.

Etching is a chemical reaction between the calcium carbonate in your marble and the acid in coffee, wine, soda, juice, soda and a bunch of other stuff.

The reaction does begin immediately upon contact, but how severe and how noticeable the etch mark will be depends on how reactive your marble is (it's a natural product, so it can vary) and how long the substance remains on the countertop.

Now if you were able to immediately wipe up all spills, then etching would be minimal and maybe not noticeable.

However, as hard as you try you will not be able to wipe up all spills immediately and you will end up pulling your hair out trying.

It is inevitable that marble in the kitchen will get etched. That is why marble is not typically recommended for the kitchen. It's just impossible to maintain that "new" look.

Luckily, you can remove most etch marks on polished marble using SCP: Marble Polishing Paste/Etch Remover, which is designed specifically for this purpose, but it will be a never-ending chore.

Marble in the kitchen is very common in Europe, but the aesthetic is different... they typically don't expect the marble to remain pristine. It's a work top.

It's meant to be functional, not an ornament. Part of the appeal is that the patina will change and the look will age as it is worn in. And it doesn't necessarily look bad... just different.


In the US we like it to look new always. And why not you've invested a lot of money. So, 99 times out of 100 marble in the kitchen is a bad idea. The one time is if you are willing to let it age naturally and won't obsess over blemishes here and there.

If you insist on using it, then I recommend you have it honed. Honed marble still etches of course, but it is not nearly as noticeable as on polished marble.

The good news is that whether polished or honed, etch marks can most often be removed, but when in the kitchen it's usually a losing battle.

A complete explanation with step-by-step instructions of how to choose the best stone for your project, removing etch marks, stains and everything else about marble maintenance (the real facts and proven solutions) can be found in our Cleaning Marble Secrets Guide.

Good Luck,
Ryan

P.S. Trivia: Crema Marfil is actually limestone, but marble, travertine and limestone are all essentially the same type of stone with nearly the same care and cleaning requirements. Many stones are sold as marble that are not techically (geologically) marble. Same with granite. No biggie... just and FYI.

Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any issue, problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals.

I highly recommend Stone Care Pro Products to maintain all your marble, stone and granite countertops and floors in optimal condition. I've used other good products (Stone Tech, Miracle, MB) but found Stone Care Pro is the most reliable and effective and cheaper too!