Frequently Asked Questions

A stain changes the color of the stone because something has absorbed into it — like wine, oil, or coffee soaking into the pores. An etch doesn’t add color; it changes the surface itself. Acids (like lemon juice, vinegar, or cleaners) react with the stone, leaving dull spots, rings, or marks that look like water spots but aren’t. In short: stains add color, etches remove shine.
👉 Watch our video explanation here: How do I remove water spots from stone?

A stain is when a liquid or substance absorbs into the stone and leaves a darkened mark.
An etch is surface damage caused by acids that chemically react with the stone, leaving dull spots, rings, or cloudy marks.
They may look similar, but stains are about absorption while etches are about chemical reaction. A stain changes the color of the stone because something has absorbed into it — like wine, oil, or coffee soaking into the pores. An etch doesn’t add color; it changes the surface itself. Acids (like lemon juice, vinegar, or cleaners) react with the stone, leaving dull spots, rings, or marks that look like water spots but aren’t.

In short: stains add color, etches remove shine.
👉 Watch our video explanation here: https://youtu.be/paP4TQd5f9M

Etch marks happen when acidic substances (like lemon juice, vinegar, or wine) come into contact with marble. Because marble is made of calcium carbonate, acids react instantly with the surface, dissolving it at a microscopic level. This leaves dull, cloudy spots or rings that are often mistaken for water marks.

Sealing marble helps protect against stains by filling the pores of the stone, making it harder for liquids to absorb. However, sealing does not prevent etches. Etching is a chemical reaction on the surface, so even sealed marble can still dull or mark when it comes in contact with acids.

No. Vinegar is acidic and will etch natural stone surfaces like marble, limestone, travertine, and even some granites. The acid reacts with the stone, leaving dull spots, rings, or surface damage. Even when diluted, vinegar can harm both the stone and the sealer. Always use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone to keep it safe and looking its best.

👉 Watch our video explanation here https://youtu.be/6-aVgHRe9IQ

Use a quick water‑drop check. Place a few drops of water and watch immediately. If it beads and sits on top, you have active repellency (from sealer and/or a dense, polished stone). If it darkens right away, that does not automatically mean there’s no sealer—stones vary in porosity so they’ll still absorb even when sealed. What to look for is how fast and what stone. Treat this as a fast indicator, not a lab test: check multiple spots. Remember, sealing reduces absorption; it doesn’t prevent etching.

👉 Watch our video explanation here https://youtu.be/kWiWe4J7pB8

A dull look can come from a few things: leftover soil that wasn’t fully removed, etching from acidic spills, micro-scratches from daily use, or even the way light hits the surface. Cleaning can take care of soil, but etches and scratches change the stone itself and often need professional restoration to bring the shine back.

👉 Watch our video explanation here https://youtu.be/lVJ_Zx02Sms

Always use a pH-neutral cleaner made for natural stone. Avoid vinegar, bleach, or harsh household products—they can etch or weaken the surface. For daily care, spray the cleaner, wipe with a soft cloth or mop, and dry the surface. You can safely use A Clean Story’s Marble & Granite Daily Cleaner, available on Amazon, for streak-free and stone-safe cleaning.A dull look can come from a few things: leftover soil that wasn’t fully removed, etching from acidic spills, micro-scratches from daily use, or even the way light hits the surface. Cleaning can take care of soil, but etches and scratches change the stone itself and often need professional restoration to bring the shine back.

👉 Watch our video explanation here https://youtu.be/VgWpn9agMbw

Industry guidelines give a blanket answer of about once a year. But the truth is, it really depends on your home, your family’s use, the size of the space, and your maintenance routines. The beauty of stone is that while there are foundational principles—like the water-drop test—you ultimately set the standard. Your habits and expectations will determine how often resealing is needed.

👉 Watch our video explanation here https://youtu.be/1u4WuLc74wc

The safest option is always a pH-neutral cleaner made for natural stone. Some people swear by vinegar, but here’s the truth: vinegar is acidic and can slowly break down sealers and dull the surface. It may seem harmless at first, but long term it damages your investment.
A stone-safe daily cleaner, like A Clean Story’s Marble & Granite Daily Cleaner (available on Amazon), is specifically designed to clean granite without etching, streaking, or leaving residue.Industry guidelines give a blanket answer of about once a year.

But the truth is, it really depends on your home, your family’s use, the size of the space, and your maintenance routines. The beauty of stone is that while there are foundational principles—like the water-drop test—you ultimately set the standard. Your habits and expectations will determine how often resealing is needed.Industry guidelines give a blanket answer of about once a year. But the truth is, it really depends on your home, your family’s use, the size of the space, and your maintenance routines. The beauty of stone is that while there are foundational principles—like the water-drop test—you ultimately set the standard. Your habits and expectations will determine how often resealing is needed.

Sealing protects against stains—it slows down how liquids absorb into the stone. But it doesn’t stop etching. Dull spots happen when acidic substances (like lemon juice, wine, or vinegar) chemically react with marble, dissolving the surface at a microscopic level. Even a freshly sealed marble surface can still etch, because sealing and etching are two completely different things.