First of all, and you probably already know this, find a dish soap that won't etch. No citric acid, no lemon scent, obviously, but I'd test them out. I found a neutral pH all-natural one and tested it on a scrap before I put it in my soap dispenser. I was worried about it but so far so good. And my soap dispenser is set too far back from the sink, so those of us in the family who are not as careful as I am often leave drips of soap on the marble for long periods of time. No etching issues there so far. All I have been using to clean my honed carrara counters is that soap and water. I did try method's "daily granite" (says its also for marble) but I didn't feel it was cleaning as well as the soap. I also haven't had any staining issues yet (knock on wood) despite us being pretty messy and sometimes not wiping spills up for 24 hours. Etching, though, whoa. Even in the first months, when we were SUPER SUPER diligent -even in the first 24 hours even!- we got etching. Mysterious spots... could not IMAGINE what caused them.... they're now pretty much everywhere. It actually seems to be getting less noticeable now that there are so many of them :)

annekendo: it sounds like etching. it's inevitable and no way to avoid. a honed surface will mask it better than polished. i don't think anyone will notice. marble is just too beautiful for anyone to go around looking for imperfections, especially when they are expected. i haven't heard of the "seal & enhance" but i'll be sure and buy that too, being as i appreciate overkill. jkillorin: i've only sealed a sample (about 2' square) but it doesn't feel as if there's any film or residue. i believe marble is one of the more porous stones, so the sealer (whichever you use) will get soaked in. from what i understand it will help prevent staining, but if something does manage to leave a mark it will fade away in time. this has at least been my experience. GL!

Thanks lascatx. Thanks breezygirl. I will do a search to try to learn more about others' uses of soap dispensers and whether they're doing dish soap, hand soap, or both. I was also curious, blondie, which purpose do you want your soap dispenser for? I imagine the type of soap might impact the effect on marble. In case you're talking about hand soap, I'm not certain if it's helpful, but I have honed carrara in my bathroom and have picked up a pH neutral hand soap with an on-counter dispenser. I put a glass dish underneath to minimize dispensing on the counter, but every time I go into clean there is soap residue on the counter. It seems to wipe right up without impact on the marble. No etching or staining at all (after a year). So, if you are talking about hand soap, as long as you use a marble safe soap, the type of dispenser may not matter. You should be able to use whatever functions best for you.

I appreciate oldryder's first post - why wouldn't we want to take care of our belongings? I even took care of my old, nasty laminate. I've always used large cutting boards and trivets, whatever protection was necessary for the job. I'm careful of contamination and cross-contamination and clean thoroughly as I cook. I am forever grateful to romy for turning me on to the Range Kleen pads and I don't just use them on the marble. I protect all my surfaces. I keep two out at all times, one next to the range and one as a beverage station next to the fridge. It works with our lifestyle. I've had our Danby several months now and I couldn't be happier with it. No stains, etches, or chips. We don't cover all the surfaces and we're still under construction so it's had its share of tool drops though I don't recommend that. I love the variation of very light to dark and of course the sparkle which is difficult to capture in photos. I originally wanted mostly white with gentle veining, but love the interest and texture the veining gives. I also have an antiqish (we're guessing 1930's) polished marble side table. It is still beautiful. It is not babied and does have water ring etching though you wouldn't know unless you're at an extreme angle and the light is just right. In fact, I did not know it had etches until I got on my hands and knees and looked for it. I've used it as en entry table with a chair next to it so it does get abuse-drinks, keys, drop zone. Patina in the upper left corner. I also agree with peony4s wise words, although I asked quite a few of my friends' early 30's kids (male and female), and my 20 something daughter when I was in the choices phase, and they all picked the marble and love it now. Christina222's quartzite and marble combo is gorgeous. Maybe that's the best solution for you, especially if you love polished.