What Over the Counter Products NOT to Use on Marble
By Fred Hueston
Save Your Customers (and their stone) from Disaster: As a stone restoration professional, one of the most valuable services you can provide your customers is guidance on how to care for their marble and natural stone surfaces. Too many times, homeowners and even cleaning staff think they’re helping by grabbing a product off the grocery store shelf, only to cause etching, dull spots, or worse—permanent damage that sends them running to you for an emergency fix.
Let’s talk about what NOT to use on marble and stone surfaces, and how to educate your customers so you can save them time, money, and headaches.
Grocery Store Products: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming that if a product is sold in a grocery store, it must be safe for everything. Enter the classic offenders:
- Bar Keepers Friend
Sounds gentle enough, right? Think again. This product contains acidic ingredients, which are absolutely brutal on marble. Acids react with calcium carbonate in marble, causing etching—a dull, cloudy mark that can be difficult to remove without professional restoration. - Vinegar and Lemon Juice
Everyone’s favorite “natural cleaner” is actually one of the worst things you can put on marble. Both vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, and they’ll eat away at polished marble surfaces, leaving behind etch marks that dull the finish. - Bathroom Cleaners
Products like scrubbing powders and sprays marketed for tubs and tiles often contain bleach or acidic additives. Not only can these cause etching, but some also have abrasives that can scratch the surface. - Glass Cleaners
Cleaners like Windex contain ammonia and other chemicals that can also cause damage to the finish of marble and some other stones.
So, What’s the Advice?
When your customers ask about cleaning products, give them this straightforward advice:
- Stay away from any cleaning product that contains the word “acid” in the ingredient list or label.
- Avoid bleach, ammonia, vinegar, lemon juice, or any cleaner with abrasive particles.
- Always test any product in an inconspicuous area first—even if it claims to be “stone-safe.”
What Should They Use Instead?
- Recommend a pH-neutral stone cleaner, specifically labeled for marble and natural stone.
- For daily maintenance, a damp microfiber cloth can often do the trick without any cleaner at all.
- Suggest resealing stone surfaces periodically to help protect them from stains and etching.
Educating Your Clients is Part of the Job
One of the best ways to build trust with your customers is by sharing this kind of knowledge before problems start. Provide them with a simple list of dos and don’ts and even consider giving them a small bottle of a recommended pH-neutral cleaner as part of your service.
By helping your clients avoid the damage that can come from common grocery store products like Bar Keepers Friend, vinegar, or other acidic and abrasive cleaners, you’re saving them money—and showing them you’re the expert they can count on for all their stone care needs.
