Understanding Etch Marks, Stains, and Scratches on Marble: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Marble is a timeless and elegant natural stone, favored in homes for its beauty and luxurious appearance. However, with its porous and relatively soft composition, marble is susceptible to various forms of surface damage. At NOVA Stone Care, we often encounter clients who are unsure of the differences between etch marks, stains, and scratches. In this blog post, we’ll break down what each type of damage is, how it occurs, and what you can do about it.

What Are Etch Marks?

Etching is a chemical reaction that occurs when acidic substances come into contact with marble. Because marble is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, it reacts with acids like lemon juice, vinegar, wine, or even some household cleaners. This reaction dulls the surface and leaves behind light, dull spots or rings, often mistaken for water stains.

Common Causes of Etching:

• Spills from citrus fruits or juices
• Acidic cleaning products
• Wine or coffee residue
• Toiletries like toothpaste or mouthwash in bathrooms

Solution: Etching can’t be cleaned away because it’s not a surface stain—it’s a change in the actual surface texture. Restoration involves professional honing and polishing to refinish the marble and restore its original shine.

What Are Stains?

Stains occur when a substance penetrates the marble’s porous surface and leaves a discoloration. Unlike etching, staining is a result of absorption, not chemical reaction.

Common Staining Substances:

• Oils and grease (from cooking)
• Colored liquids (like wine, juice, or ink)
• Metal objects (can leave rust marks)
• Organic materials (like leaves or coffee grounds)

Solution: Stains may be removable with a poultice—a paste made from a cleaning agent and absorbent material. For stubborn stains, professional deep cleaning and refinishing may be required.

Pro Tip: Regularly sealing your marble can help minimize the risk of staining.

What Are Scratches?

Scratches are physical abrasions to the marble surface, usually caused by grit, dragging heavy objects, or using abrasive cleaning tools. While marble is more scratch-resistant than it appears, it’s still vulnerable to fine lines and scuffs, especially in high-traffic areas.

Common Sources of Scratches:

• Grit and sand on shoes or floors
• Dragging pots, pans, or furniture across marble
• Using abrasive scrubbers or pads

Solution: Minor scratches can often be buffed out, while deeper ones require diamond honing and polishing by a professional. For high-gloss finishes, polishing is essential to restore clarity and reflectivity.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between etch marks, stains, and scratches can help you identify the best care and restoration approach for your marble surfaces. At NOVA Stone Care, we specialize in restoring the natural beauty of marble through expert cleaning, honing, polishing, and sealing services.

If you’re noticing damage on your marble surfaces and aren’t sure what it is or how to fix it, contact us today for a free consultation. Our team is here to help you protect and restore your investment.

Get Professional Marble Restoration in Northern Virginia Today!

If your marble countertops have lost their shine, NOVA Stone Care is here to help! Our professional restoration services in Northern Virginia will revitalize your stone surfaces and enhance the beauty of your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and bring back the elegance of your countertops!

Call Now: 202-997-4548 | Visit: www.novastonecare.com

For top-quality stone care products trusted and used daily by our team, visit https://mbstone.com/

Top Stone Care Challenges in Northern Virginia Homes — and How We Fix Them.

Natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, limestone, and travertine add elegance and lasting value to homes throughout Northern Virginia. But the region’s unique climate, combined with day-to-day wear and tear, presents some specific challenges for homeowners. At NOVA Stone Care, we specialize in restoring, protecting, and maintaining natural stone surfaces—no matter what problems arise.

Here are the top stone care challenges we see in Northern Virginia homes—and how we fix them.

1. Etching from Spills and Cleaners

The Problem:

Acidic spills like wine, citrus juice, vinegar, or even harsh household cleaners can leave dull marks (etching) on marble, limestone, and travertine. This is especially common on bathroom vanities and kitchen countertops.

Our Solution:

We use a professional honing and polishing process to gently remove the damaged top layer and restore the natural sheen. Our diamond disc system allows for precision results, whether the goal is a matte or glossy finish.

2. Water Stains and Mold in Showers

The Problem:

High humidity levels and hard water in Northern Virginia often lead to soap scum buildup, mold growth, and hard water staining on natural stone shower walls and floors.

Our Solution:

We perform deep cleaning and mold removal followed by stone-safe sealing to protect porous surfaces from future staining. We also offer routine maintenance options to keep stone showers looking fresh and clean.

3. Worn or Dull Floors in High-Traffic Areas

The Problem:

Entryways, kitchens, and hallways see a lot of foot traffic, which can dull and scratch the surface of stone floors over time.

Our Solution:

We restore shine and smoothness with our multi-step honing and polishing service, tailored to the type and finish of your stone. Then, we apply a penetrating sealer to protect the surface from future damage.

4. Cracks, Chips, and Broken Seams

The Problem:

Granite countertops and natural stone floors can suffer from cracks, chipped edges, or broken seams—especially around sinks or appliance cutouts.

Our Solution:

Using professional-grade epoxy and color-matching techniques, we repair chips and fill cracks seamlessly. For broken seams, we realign, fill, and refinish the area for a clean, durable finish.

5. Improper or Missing Sealer

The Problem:

Many homeowners don’t realize that natural stone needs to be sealed regularly, especially light-colored stones like marble and limestone. Without it, stones are vulnerable to staining and water damage.

Our Solution:

We assess the condition of your stone, strip any ineffective sealant, and apply a high-quality, stone-specific sealer that offers long-lasting protection—without changing the look or feel of the surface.

Why Choose NOVA Stone Care?

We’re a locally owned and operated company proudly serving homeowners across Northern Virginia. With years of hands-on experience and a strong reputation for reliability and craftsmanship, NOVA Stone Care is your trusted partner for:

• Marble polishing and restoration

• Granite sealing and chip repair

• Limestone and travertine cleaning

• Shower restoration and mold removal

• Floor refinishing and sealing

Get Professional Marble Restoration in Northern Virginia Today!

If your marble countertops have lost their shine, NOVA Stone Care is here to help! Our professional restoration services in Northern Virginia will revitalize your stone surfaces and enhance the beauty of your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and bring back the elegance of your countertops!

Call Now: 202-997-4548 | Visit: www.novastonecare.com

For top-quality stone care products trusted and used daily by our team, visit https://mbstone.com/

Are you looking for a reliable natural stone restoration and maintenance company owned and operated in Northern Virginia? You might be wondering how to find the right folks for the job.

When hiring any professional service, it is important to dig below the surface before committing. Just like squeezing fruit in the supermarket to determine its ripeness, you want to ensure that you do not end up with anything rotten when purchasing any product or service.

A Localized Search Will Help Narrow Down Your List

The Internet is an excellent tool for consumers because it offers a wealth of knowledge and information at your fingertips. Because of this, however, it is essential to be ultra-specific when entering search terms into your preferred web search browser.

When searching for a reliable natural stone maintenance company in your area, including your location and the exact services you are searching for is crucial. This way, your search will exclude companies that do not provide the specific services you are hiring out for and will only include the businesses operating in your area.

Make Sure to See What Those Who Have Worked with the Company Have to Say

Today, customer reviews reign supreme. It is now easier than ever to get an accurate idea of the quality of work and level of customer satisfaction that a business provides. There are a few tricks when browsing customer reviews with a discerning eye.

One bad review does not indicate poor service, but if there are many bad customer reviews, this should be a huge red flag for you. Remember that if there is a small pool of reviews to consider, you may not have a good enough sampling of reviews to form a solid opinion.

Visit Company Websites and Look at Their Work

It is wise to comb the websites of the companies you are considering. Most companies will provide more detailed information about who they are and what they do on their websites. Often, a company will also showcase its portfolio of work and might even include testimonials from satisfied customers.

If you like what you see, chances are you will be happy with their services. A company’s lack of web presence and effort in creating an online presence could most definitely be considered a dealbreaker to many modern consumers.

Reliable Natural Stone Restoration Services in Northern Virginia 

Located in the Greater DC area? If you are searching for reliable natural stone maintenance professionals in your area, NOVA Stone Care has a sterling reputation for quality work and exceptional customer service.

Owned and operated in Northern Virginia, our stone care experts are skilled at working with a variety of stone materials. From dealing with etching and scratches to making big chips disappear, we pride ourselves on our quality of work and customer care and stand by that. Visit our website for a list of services, or call us for an estimate.

Does your home have granite or marble countertops in the kitchen or bathroom? If so, you may notice that over time, these surfaces tend to lose their former luster. That is because natural stone wears over time—whether chipping or scratching when abraded.

Countertop restoration and maintenance is especially important for kitchen surfaces since the porous nature of rock can allow for bacteria and other harmful contaminants as an avenue for harm. Fortunately, there are professionals who specialize in working with marble and granite countertops and resealing them for you if needed.

Why Hire Out for Countertop Restoration?

DIY solutions are often one of those things that seem like a promising idea at the time. Any professional would advise against it—especially in the kitchen where there are health considerations surrounding food and the well-being of your family. Choosing to restore your countertops is not a simple undertaking.These things can be complicated, and granite and marble materials are expensive. Buffing out deep scratches might not be as simple of a process as one might hope. Botching a DIY job on your stone countertops could end up costing you more if professionals need to be called in to restore or completely replace your countertop surfaces.

Finding a Good Granite or Marble Countertop Restoration Specialist

If you are looking for granite and marble countertop restoration, you will want to have some confidence in the professionals that you choose to work with. You will also want to make sure that the companies you are considering have a good history of providing quality services—both in caliber of work and customer service.

It is a clever idea to put some time into researching your local options before committing. Here are some tips to help guide the process of finding the right marble or granite countertop restoration specialists to work with.

Looking for a Stone Repair Specialist in the Great DC Area?

If you are searching for natural stone countertop restoration services in the Greater DC area, the specialists at NOVA Stone Care have you covered. We specialize in natural stone, and our team of professionals are experts at what they do.

Interested in learning more? Visit our website to see who we are and check out our portfolio of work and list of services.

What is Efflorescence

Natural Stone Damage: Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a common issue that can occur with natural stone surfaces, such as marble, granite, travertine and limestone. It. appears as a white, powdery substance on the surface of the stone and can be unsightly and difficult to remove. Efflorescence is caused by the presence of water-soluble salts in the stone, which are brought to the surface through the process of evaporation. The water evaporates, leaving behind the salt crystals, which form the white, powdery substance.

What you can do

There are several ways to prevent efflorescence from occurring in natural stone surfaces. One of the most effective ways is to have a company like NOVA Stone Care seal the stone for you, as this will prevent water from penetrating the surface and causing the salts to rise to the surface. Additionally, it is important to clean up any spills or stains as soon as they occur, as these can also contribute to the formation of efflorescence.

If efflorescence does occur, it is important to call a professional company like NOVA Stone Care. NOVA Stone Care professionals will remove it as soon as possible and prevent it from becoming ingrained in the stone. There are several ways to remove efflorescence, including using specialized efflorescence remover.

Efflorescence is a common issue that occurs with natural stone surfaces. However, we at NOVA Stone Care can  prevent or remove it with proper care and maintenance that we offer. Our experts in natural floor restoration services have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly care for your stone surfaces. Check out our blog section for more helpful tips. Natural Stone Damage: Efflorescence.

If you have marble or granite countertops, floors, or fixtures in your home, you may have noticed these natural stones can crack, chip, dull, and start to unseal over time. But how can you get those surfaces looking like new and back to their previous luster? In this guide, we will cover natural stone maintenance and restoration practices that will help you restore the stone in your home to its original glory. 

Cleaning Stone Tiles, Counters, and Other Fixtures

In terms of basic maintenance of the natural stone in your home, this is something you can do to keep your stone countertops and floors looking good. What most folks do not realize is that natural stone can be damaged by everyday cleaning solutions and the tools that we commonly use to clean floors and countertops in our homes.

Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals on your stone floors and countertops and do not use cleaning tools—mops, sponges, rags, etc. that may have color dyes that can transfer and embed into natural stone. And it goes without saying but we are going to say it anyway—no steel wool or abrasive materials that could seriously scratch and scuff things up.

What to Use Instead: pH Neutral Cleaning Products

It is recommended that you clean natural stone surfaces with pH neutral cleaning solutions. Not only is it best to avoid using bleach on these surfaces, but you should also avoid using vinegar-based products as well? Why? These cleaners are high in acidity and too harsh. Using these cleaners can damage and weaken the stone.

Repairing the Damage After its Done

If your floors are already scratched and your countertops are looking rough, DIY solutions may seem like an innovative idea. However, you can do more damage than good trying to tackle that project and doing it improperly. Professionals working at natural stone maintenance and restoration companies have years of experience in crack and chip repair, countertop resealing, shower restoration, and polishing.

A word of caution with your natural stone countertops. Because natural stone is porous, it is very important to maintain the sealing on your kitchen surfaces. Why? Because bacteria can embed itself on these surfaces and lie-in-wait. This can pose health concerns and put you and your family at-risk.

Looking for a Natural Stone Care Maintenance Company in Northern Virginia?

If you are looking for a reputable company to breathe life back into the natural stone surfaces in your home, NOVA Stone Care is owned and operated in Northern Virginia. With a reputation for excellent customer service and an expertise in the restoration of marble, granite, limestone, travertine, and other types of stones, our stone technicians have the experience to get the job done right. Interested in learning more? Visit our website for a list of our services and check out our portfolio of work, which speaks for itself. 

If you have a lot of natural stone incorporated in your home décor, you may have noticed that its luster has faded over time. Wear over time can dull your natural stone surfaces and chips and cracks can form as well.

Fortunately, there are professionals out there who specialize in restoring natural stone and getting it back to new. Start with a Localized Search

With the internet in the palm of your hand, finding the services that you need has never been easier. The aggregate websites like Yelp have done all the heavy lifting. However, it is important to be specific when it comes to your keyword choices when searching for services in your area.

If you are looking for granite restoration professionals in the Greater DC area, include your location in your search. This will help narrow down your search to local businesses that serve your area.

Get Specific About the Services You are Searching

Maybe you are looking for someone to reseal your granite countertops or need the chips and cracks worked out of some marble. Whatever service you are searching for, you should make sure to include these specifics among your keywords.

Why? Because not every stone care company out there specializes in the same work. If you have multiple stone care needs, you will want to find a company that can manage everything so that you do not end up piecemealing services.

Visit Natural Stone Restoration Company Websites

Once you have identified a list of local stone care companies that provide the services that you are looking for, it is a smart idea to visit company websites. Business websites often include things like a portfolio of work, a breakdown of services, customer testimonials, and more. You will also get an idea of who they are and what they do and be able to better determine whether collaborating with them will be a good fit or not.

Read the Customer Reviews

It is also a great idea to see what other customers have to say about the quality of work a company provides. Browsing through customer reviews is a fantastic way to get a sense of the level of customer service a company provides as well as find out if people were happy with the work. Looking to have the natural stone in your home restored?  From shower restoration to floor polishing and everything in between, We at NOVA Stone Care have the expertise to get the job done right. Locally owned and operated in the Greater DC area, our stone care experts are ready to tackle your project. Interested in learning more? Visit our website and contact us for a quote.

Travertine Floor Polishing Service: DIY vs Professional Services. If the flooring in your home has been looking like it has lost its luster, you might be thinking about ways you can breathe a little more life into them and get them looking like new again. Maybe you consider yourself savvy when it comes to DIY hacks and think you’ve found the perfect YouTube DIY floor polishing video that recommends a particular brand of lemon-based cleaner (spoiler alert – this is how you get ants!).

So, do you tackle that DIY home floor polishing project armed with Home Depot equipment rentals and pull up your bootstraps. On one hand, scoring those type of points with your significant other can be priceless but on the other, a botched DIY floor polishing project will end up costing you more than hiring a professional to do the job.

1. DIY Hacks: Expectation vs. Reality

Insert every classic expectation vs. reality meme here. The best way to illustrate this point is with a good analogy. If you’re an adult over thirty and have no idea who Bob Ross is, then you need to go watch some PBS reruns because this reference will go right over your head (and honestly, your life is a little emptier without ever having experienced ‘The Joy of Painting’).

The show featured artist Bob Ross narrating painting techniques as he would create beautiful landscape art in an instructional fashion. The idea was for the audience to gain skills and (while most of us didn’t) join in painting along. A simple Google search of Bob Ross painting attempts will yield a slew of results. While admittedly, there are folks that shine in the world of amateur painters…most folks do not walk away with a masterpiece or a painting that looks like it was done by a skilled professional.

2. You Could End Up Damaging the Stone

There are many mistakes that can be made by amateurs who rent diamond cut (this is a big no-no!) polishing equipment and think that they have the skills and knowledge to get the job done and save the cost of hiring an expert. However, there are a number of ways that you can jack up your floors.

From over-polishing that results in overly slippery hazardous surfaces to a job that actually weakens the seals (granite and other stone surfaces are porous). It is easy to misstep when you aren’t a professional. Unfortunately, these types of missteps can cost you more money than you would have spent for a simple polishing job—especially if you need to do any resealing.

3. Looking for Floor Polishing Services in Northern Virginia?

If you’re searching for a good floor polishing service in the Greater Fairfax or DC area? Consider hiring NOVA Stone Care for travertine polishing and sealing. Hiring a professional to polish your floors for you will ensure that the job is done right the first time.

The experts at NOVA Stone Care can handle your travertine floor polishing service. Locally owned and operated, we’ll get your floors looking new with little fuss. Interested in learning more about who we are and what we do. Visit our website.

Benefits of using chip and crack repair services. Do you have marble or granite countertops in your bathroom or kitchen that over time, have seen their share of use? It is natural for stone to lose the luster it had when you first moved in and before the countertops had years of use.

Fortunately, restoring your stone countertops to their original glory isn’t an improbable feat. Natural stone is easily workable due to its porous nature. But what are the benefits of hiring professional stone chip and crack repair services and is it worth it?

Is Contracting Chip and Crack Repair Services Worth It? 

The short answer is yes, hiring professionals to repair the chips and cracks in your stone countertops and any other stone surfaces you want buffed out within your home is worth it. From countertop refinishing to shower restoration, a good stone care expert can get marble or granite surfaces looking like new.

From a cost perspective, hiring a chip and crack repair specialist is totally worth it because the alternative is full installation of new stone or gutting it out completely for a complete remodel with new materials. Unless you’re a maverick or specialize in home renovation or construction in general, major home renovation projects usually involve hiring out for a contractor and cause some amount of disruption at home.

But are the Savings Significant?

Sourcing natural stone is not cheap (marble and granite work is usually quite pricey unless you have an inside deal), it doesn’t take a bunch of complicated math to add up the fact that hiring professionals to repair rather than replace your home’s stone surfaces is more cost effective and will save you a pretty penny in the long run.

Why Should You Care About Chips and Cracks in Countertop Surfaces?

A good stone worker will be able to easily color match and spot buff stone surfaces in over to fix any cracks, fractures or chips that have compromised the stone surfaces in your home. While there are some aesthetic reasons for repairing your granite or marble countertops (and other stone surfaces in your home), there is also some concern around health considerations in your kitchen.

As mentioned above, natural stone materials are quite porous. When scratches and later bigger cracks and chips begin to form on stone kitchen countertops, they can become hotbeds for bacteria. You can probably guess why this is problematic for an area where the food your family consumes is prepped and cooked. In fact, granite and marble countertops need to be sealed properly to prevent foods and liquids from compromising more weathered countertops. 

Looking for Chip Repair Services Near You?

If you’re in search of expert stone care professionals in Northern Virginia and the Greater DC area, NOVA Stone Care is based out of Northern Virginia. Our stone care professionals can help you breathe new life into the stone surfaces in your home. Our chip and crack repair services are next level—interested in learning more? Give us a call, and we’ll answer any questions you may have.

How Do Professionals Restore The Marble Table? Marble tables are a beautiful addition to any home and can bring a touch of elegance and luxury to any room. However, over time, these tables can become stained, scratched, and dulled from everyday use. In such cases, professional restoration services are necessary to restore their original shine and beauty. 

Assessment

The first step in restoring a marble table is to assess its condition. This includes identifying  the type of marble, the extent of damage, and the type of stains or scratches that need to be removed.

Cleaning marble table 

The next step is to thoroughly clean the table, removing any dirt, dust, and grime that may have accumulated over time. A professional cleaner will use specialized cleaning agents to remove dirt, oils, and other impurities from the surface.

Repairing your marble table 

If the marble table has any cracks, chips, or scratches, a stone technician will repair these damages using specialized techniques and materials.

Honing and polishing your marble table

The next step is to hone and polish marble table using specialized tools and polishing compounds. This process removes any dullness and restores the original shine of the marble.

Sealing your marble table 

The final step is to seal the marble table, which protects it from future damage and staining. NOVA Stone Care professional will apply a specialized sealant that penetrates into the pores of the marble and provides long-lasting protection.

Conclusion

Restoring a marble table requires specialized knowledge and skills. When you hire a professional company like NOVA Stone Care, you can be sure that your marble table will be restored to its original beauty and shine. Looking for a marble table restoration services in Northern Virginia? NOVA Stone Care has you covered. If you want to know how do professionals restore the marble table? Visit the company website to learn more. Also, check out our blog section for more helpful articles and tips.