Marble care guide
Cloudy rings around a vase, a tap or a soap dish are usually not dirt. They are mineral deposits left behind as water evaporates, and on marble they can be hiding a second problem underneath.
Why it happens
Most water marks are limescale: minerals dissolved in Sydney tap water are left behind once the water evaporates, slowly building into a cloudy film around taps, vases and sinks.
On marble there is a second cause worth ruling out. If water sat for a while, especially if it was even mildly acidic, it can leave a genuine etch underneath the deposit. Wiping the limescale away sometimes reveals a dull patch that does not buff back out.
What to do
Most limescale wipes off with warm water and a soft cloth. Stubborn buildup sometimes needs a marble-safe, pH-neutral limescale remover, never vinegar or a citrus-based cleaner, which will etch the marble instead of cleaning it.
If a dull mark remains once the deposit is gone, that is etching rather than limescale, and it needs to be honed out by a stone restorer rather than cleaned. Protection film stops both problems at once: spills and standing water sit on the surface instead of drying onto the stone, and etching liquids never reach the marble underneath.
Limescale deposits usually clean off. If a dull mark remains after cleaning, it is more likely an etch, and it needs restoration rather than cleaning.
No. Vinegar is acidic and will etch the marble. Use a pH-neutral or marble-safe cleaning product instead.
Often, yes, around taps, soap dishes and vases. See bathroom vanity protection.
Yes. Water sits on the surface of the film rather than drying directly onto the stone, so it wipes away instead of leaving mineral deposits behind.
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