Lustro Italiano > Cleaning Info > Stains And Etches

What is the Difference Between a Stain And An Etch?

As a rule of thumb, a stain in natural stone will turn the stone darker and an etch will turn the stone lighter.

Liquids That Cause Stains

A stain is when a contaminant such as coffee, cooking oil, wine, rust and many other contaminants sit on a natural stone long enough and absorbs into the pores of the stone causing a stain or “darkening” of the affected areas. To repair a stain, there are many types of poultice products to draw out the stain depending on the type of stain it is.

How Etches Occur

An etch occurs when something acidic such as lemons, vinegar, carbonated beverages, and acid based cleaners sit on a natural stone long enough that it starts to corrode or “eat” away at the surface and will give a lighter or dull appearance. If the etch is bad enough, the affected area may even feel rough or not as smooth as the rest of the stone.

Etching is more common in marbles and calcium based stones, but “granite” can etch as well. True granites do not etch, however many stones are sold as granite but geologically are not; so it is important to know exactly what type of stone you do have.

Treating Etches

Polishing powders can repair lighter etches on marbles and calcium based stones, but to repair deeper etches on marble or a “granite” may require the help of a stone professional.

Two Birds, One Stone

Many times you can get a stain and an etch at the same time. In this situation, always remove the stain first as some poultice products can cause etching and you don’t want to repair the etch twice. There are products to help protect against marring although nothing on the market can prevent stains and etching.

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Stain Removing Poultice Powder Stain Remover Powder

Removes oil, wine, tea, coffee and other household organic stains from granite, marble, travertine and limestone via a stain lifting poultice powder.

Our Price: $17.99
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Poultice Powder for Removing Rust Rust Remover Powder

Rust remover powder removes rust stains from various types of natural stone. Use in conjunction with etch remover and sealer.

Our Price: $18.99
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Etch Remover, Dull Spots on Marble, Etch Mark Remover Etch and Water Mark Remover

Polishes and restores dull etch marks and removes water rings or water marks from marble travertine, limestone and other porous stones.

Our Price: $19.50
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Stain Removal Kit For Natural Stone Surfaces Natural Stone Stain & Restore Kit

This treatment system is designed to only remove the stainand assumes you already have your premium sealer to reseal the stone for resistance to future stains.

Our Price: $47.49
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Kit For Removing Stains From & Resealing Natural Stone Surfaces Natural Stone Stain Remover & Restoration Kit

This treatment system is designed to not only remove stains, but also adds resistance to future stains from common household liquids and foods.

Our Price: $64.95
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Marble Etch Remover Kit Professional Marble Etch Remover Kit

Don't use ordinary household cleaners on your precious marble stones. Using this total marble care kit will help you to clean, maintain, restore (if needed), and seal your marble.

Our Price: $65.50
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Kit For Stain & Etch Removal On Marble Surfaces Marble Stain & Etch Remover Kit

This treatment system is designed to only remove the stain and the etching from your marble and assumes you already have premium sealer to reseal the stone after you remove the stain and etching. Sealer is important for resisting future stains on your marble counters and other surfaces.

Our Price: $66.49
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Kit For Rust Removal And Maintaining Marble Surfaces Marble Rust & Etch Remover Maintenance Kit

Designed to only remove the rust and renew the luster of your marble and assumes you already have premium sealer to reseal the stone after you remove the rust stain and etching.

Our Price: $67.39
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Stain & Etch Removal Kit For Restoring Marble Marble Stained Etch Remover & Restoration Kit

This treatment system is designed to remove the stains and etching from your marble stone and includes a premium sealer to reseal the stone for resistance to future stains.

Our Price: $83.86
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Kit For Rust or Etch Removal On Marble Marble Rust Remover & Restoration Kit

Removes rust and also the etching that the rust removal process causes. It also includes a premium sealer for resealing the marble after you remove the rust and the etch.

Our Price: $84.83
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