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Staining vs Etching
Two very common discolorations that can happen to natural stone are staining and etching. While they may appear to be similar, they are really two completely different things. The restoration process for each one is different.
What is a stain?
A stain happens when a substance like spaghetti sauce, coffee or red wine is left on the stone long enough for it to soak into the stone pores and cause discoloration. A stain usually darkens the stone. When you rub your hand over it, you can’t feel it. (Just like when you spill something on your shirt and don’t treat it right away).
Can staining be prevented? Yes!
Staining can be prevented by:
What can I do if I get a stain on my stone?
Don’t panic. Most stains can be removed successfully. Here are some quick tips:
What is etching?
Etching happens when something acidic, like vinegar, strong cleaning solutions, lemon juice, or strawberries, is left on the stone long enough for the acid to actually eat away some of the surface minerals of the stone. An etch will usually lighten the stone and will feel rougher to the touch than the rest of your stone surface. The etched area will also lose its shine and appear duller than the surrounding polished areas.
Can etching be prevented? YES!
Etching can be prevented by:
What can I do if my stone gets etched?
Again, don’t panic. Here are some quick tips:
Natural stone is beautiful and very versatile, but sometimes damage will happen. The great thing about natural stone is that most stains and surface damage can be removed. With the proper natural stone restoration processes, your stone can look beautiful for years to come.
By Sharon Koehler. This article is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of Surface Care PRO Partners.