There is a lot of misinformation online regarding natural stone care. Many "Grandma’s cleaning hacks" that work wonders on ceramic tiles or stainless steel are actually fatal to marble and travertine. Here are the most dangerous myths we encounter in the field.
MYTH #1: Vinegar cleans everything.
The Reality: Vinegar is acidic. Marble is Calcium Carbonate (a base). If you remember high school chemistry, mixing an acid and a base causes a reaction.
When vinegar touches marble, it instantly dissolves a microscopic layer of the stone. This is called "etching." It leaves a dull, whitish mark that looks like a water stain but cannot be wiped away. No amount of scrubbing will fix it—in fact, scrubbing makes it worse. The only way to fix an etch mark is to physically re-polish the stone to grind down the surrounding area to the new level.
MYTH #2: Scratches can be buffed out with wax.
The Reality: Applying wax to marble is a temporary band-aid that creates long-term problems.
Wax builds up over time, turning yellow and trapping dirt. It suffocates the stone and creates a slippery, artificial layer. Furthermore, when you finally decide to call a professional, we have to charge extra to chemically strip all that wax off before we can even touch the stone. Real marble shine comes from the stone itself, not a coating.
MYTH #3: All stone is the same.
The Reality: Treating marble like granite is a recipe for disaster.
Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma; it is incredibly hard and resistant to acids. Marble is sedimentary; it is soft and sensitive. A cleaner that works safely on your granite kitchen countertop might destroy your marble bathroom floor. Always read the label and ensure it explicitly says "Safe for Marble" or "pH Neutral."