We often have property owners tell us they have unsightly ‘water spots’ on marble counters and vanity tops or marble floors.

They DO look like dried spots of water, but the difference is that they have dulled the marble surface, and so they stand out from the rest of the stone.

Are these really water spots?

No, in almost all cases they are small acid etches.

Or, as the folks at marble.com put it: “Marble etching is surface damage due to a chemical reaction in the form of a dull mark on the natural stone that contains calcium carbonate. The etching is caused when an acidic substance comes in contact with a Marble surface”.

So water doesn’t create etches on marble. We use lots of water to hone the marble and granite while removing the etches, so it can’t be caused by water. The only exception is water so heavy in the mineral content that it actually leaves a film deposit on the surface of the granite or marble. It is correct to call them hard water deposits.

Before you say “Oh, I never use acid on my marble!”, pause and consider: Many common products or liquids the marble may come in contact with have an acidic component. Do you ever have, for example, orange juice? That’s a mild acid. Lemonade? Fairly strong acid. Vinegar? White or red wine? Pickles?

Even cleaning agents can contain acids, especially tile and grout cleaners, toilet bowl cleaning liquids and even some ‘natural’ based cleaners that use natural vinegar.

Additionally, cosmetics like shampoo and hand soap can contain citric acid, so it’s fair to say that in most residential usages, marble is likely exposed to more acid than we think at first.

The Solution To Water Spots on Marble?

1. Have the marble professionally restored. If you call us at 617-221-4002, we might be able to give you a recommendation on who could do that…. 😉
2. Review cleaning liquids and cosmetics used. Yes, it’s a pain in the neck, but it’s also a one time project. If no acid touches the stone, you simply won’t get etch marks.
3. If you have a countertop that you’d like to not only restore but also protect against future etching, let us know and we can review some options with you.

The good news is that about 99.99% of cases, etches and water spots on marble come out completely, so they’re no longer visible.

Our contact information:

Act One – Marble and Tile
15 Main Street # 138
Watertown MA 02472-4403
617-221-4002 Text or Call

• Natural Stone Restoration
• Removing Water Spots – Etch Marks – On Countertops
• Marble Stains, Water Spots, Hard Water Stains on Marble or Granite…..Can They Be Cleaned Away??
• Polishing Out Water Rings on Marble Countertops
• Honing Out Etch Marks on Kitchen Island Marble Countertops