Marble Countertop Care
by Lisa
QUESTION:We purchased a home with marble countertops, and after 8 months of use there are circles on the surface. What steps do I need to take to remove the circles and seal my countertops?ANSWER:The circles on your marble countertops are not stains. Nothing has been absorbed into the marble. They are "etch marks" and are very common.Etch Marks are caused by acidic foods such as fruit juice, soda, coffee, alcohol and many more. Alkaline cleaning products can also damage the marble surface. How?... well, marble is made of calcium carbonate, which will react with acids. The acidic substances corrode or eat into the marble surface, damaging the polish and causing a dull, light spot. To remove etch marks you'll need the Marble Polish / Etch Remover. You may find products called "marble polish" at your hardware store, but most of these are just a topical dressing and not for removing etch marks. The recommended product is excellent. If it doesn't remove the rings, then you'll need professional help. This is rare, but can be the case when etching is severe and the surface too raw and rough for the DIY product to work effectively. It isn't because the product "doesn't work". It's just the way stone is. Different points in the process require different materials and treatment. Preventing Etch Marks Just so you know... sealing has nothing to do with etch marks. Again etch marks are the result of a chemical reaction that happens in seconds. The only thing you can do to prevent it is to avoid contact. If you want your marble countertop to look pristine, then think of it as fine wood furniture. You wouldn't put a glass of soda straight on it. Use coasters, trivets and cutting boards. For the above reasons, marble is typically not recommended in the kitchen, bar or heavily used bathroom. But, if you take some minor precautions (coasters, etc.) and keep some Marble Polishing / Etch Remover around to handle the occasional etch mark, you can keep the marble in looking good. Sealing Marble is actually pretty dense and doesn't stain easily. Polished marble is even more stain resistant. Most polished marble doesn't need... in fact, will not take or absorb a sealer. What you need to do is water test your marble to see if it needs to be sealed. This is not a case where you seal it "just to be safe." Applying sealer to a surface that won't absorb it is inviting disaster. It will dry on top and leave a near permanent dull haze. If or when your marble countertop needs sealing or re-sealing I'd suggest using one of these recommended impregnating sealers. Good Luck, Ryan P.S. 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.
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