Florida Marble Countertop Care Guide
Marble countertops are a beautiful feature in many Bonita Springs homes, but one of the most common complaints we hear is:
“I have water spots all over my marble—can you remove them?”
In most cases, what homeowners think are water spots are actually something very different—and more serious—called etching. Understanding the difference is the first step toward restoring your marble properly and avoiding costly mistakes.
What Homeowners Call “Water Spots” on Marble
Many people assume cloudy rings, dull patches, or light-colored marks on marble are caused by hard water drying on the surface. While hard water can leave mineral deposits on some surfaces, marble behaves differently.
Marble is a calcium-based natural stone, which means it reacts chemically when exposed to acids—even mild ones.
And here’s the key point:
Plain water does NOT etch marble.
But what’s in the water often does.
The Real Culprit: Marble Etching
Etching happens when acidic substances come into contact with marble and react with the calcium carbonate in the stone. This reaction chemically alters the surface, leaving it dull, rough, or lighter in color.
Common causes include:
- Citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange)
- Wine and alcohol
- Vinegar and acidic cleaners
- Tomato sauce
- Coffee and soda
- Even mildly acidic tap water combined with soaps or residues
The result looks like:
- White or cloudy rings
- Dull spots that won’t wipe away
- Areas that feel rough compared to the surrounding stone
That’s etching—not staining.
Why Cleaning Doesn’t Fix Etched Marble
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is trying to clean etching away. Etching is not dirt sitting on the surface—it’s damage to the stone itself.
This means:
- No household cleaner will fix it
- Scrubbing can make it worse
- DIY polishing kits often create uneven shine
- Acidic “stone cleaners” can cause additional damage
Actual etching requires professional mechanical restoration, not cleaning.
Etching vs. Staining: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference matters because the solutions are entirely different.
Marble Staining
- Caused by oils, dyes, or pigments
- Darkens the stone
- Requires poulticing
Marble Etching
- Caused by acids
- Lightens or dulls the stone
- Requires polishing or honing
If the mark looks lighter or dull and feels slightly rough, you’re almost certainly dealing with marble water spots etching, not stains.
Why Etching Is So Common in Bonita Springs Homes
In Southwest Florida, marble countertops are exposed to:
- High humidity
- Frequent entertaining and cooking
- Hard water mixed with soaps
- Popular citrus-based cleaners
- Outdoor-to-indoor living styles
These conditions make etching extremely common—especially on kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, and bar tops.
Professional Countertop Etching Removal
The good news? Etching can usually be removed—when done correctly.
At Tru-Clean Surface Care, we use professional-grade honing and polishing systems designed specifically for marble. Our process restores the surface by:
- Leveling the etched area
- Refining the stone to a uniform finish
- Matching the original sheen (honed or polished)
- Protecting the surface with proper sealing when needed
This is not a cosmetic cover-up—it’s authentic stone restoration.
Why Choose Tru-Clean Surface Care in Bonita Springs
This blog is part of our ongoing educational series designed to help homeowners protect their stone investments—and to show why proper stone care matters.
✔ Certified and experienced stone technicians
✔ Specialized marble polishing and etch removal
✔ Safe, proven restoration methods
✔ Trusted throughout Bonita Springs and Southwest Florida
✔ FREE estimates on all stone services
We don’t guess. We evaluate your stone properly and recommend the correct solution.
Protecting Marble After Etching Removal
Once etching is removed, proper care is essential:
- Use pH-neutral stone cleaners only
- Avoid vinegar, lemon, or “all-purpose” sprays
- Wipe spills immediately
- Reseal marble when recommended
- Schedule professional maintenance as needed
With the proper care, marble can remain beautiful for decades.
Schedule Your Free Marble Countertop or Tile Floor Evaluation
If your marble countertops or floors have dull spots, cloudy rings, or what you believe are “water spots,” don’t live with them—and don’t risk making them worse.
Countertop and marble floor etching removal is our specialty.
- Serving Bonita Springs and all of Southwest Florida
- Call 239-541-4888 (Lee County)
- 239-206-1935 (Collier County)
- 941-621-2198 (Charlotte County)
🌐 Visit https://trucleansurfacecare.com/ or on Facebook
Tru-Clean Surface Care — trusted stone care experts restoring marble the right way.
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