ANY acidic substance will etch. Most cleansers are alkaline, but not all. You need to accept the patina or else keep pH test strips around to test every possible substance that can come into contact with it.

SoonerMagicMama:

I don't care if my stone treatment fellows have a fit or not, I"d put and keep a high quality automobile wax on those counters. No etching.

Treb, got a specific wax you recommend? Does it make the honed surface shiny? No etching? Really? Why don't people use it in the kitchen?

It tints the marble and is easily removed by cleaners. That's why people don't do it. Treb is being TIC.

Wax will make the water bead up on marble very nicely and will prevent etching. I've used clear paste wax on travertine (non automotive) just for that reason. Again, it's always about the tradeoffs. Personally, I'd rather wax occasionally than call a guy like me out to remove etches.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wax for countertops

I have lived with marble bath counters for 3 years now, and the only etches I have are from my Contact lens solution. Toothpaste, soap, nothing else seems to bother it. It does not bother me , though...I only see it first thing in the morning. I now use a wash cloth under my CL case every time, though.

Thanks. Having lived w Carrara in our previous kitchen for 7+ years, I am aware of the patina of this stone. Having chosen it again for this remodel and extending it to other spaces, like the master, I am someone who knows I'm ok w patina. However, if I can proactivy chose products that others can attest won't etch, all the better. I Dont want to intentionally create patina every time we brush.
Springroz, thanks for your feedback. Will be careful w the contacts!

The only contact lens solution I use is the multi-purpose for cleaning and soaking. I just put a few drops on my carrara. They beaded up and wiped up nicely, leaving no etches.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS!!! :)

Back when I was wringing my hands over all the carrara I was putting into my bathroom, my Turkish friend pointed out that there are marble bathrooms in Europe that are hundreds of years old. They've stood up to everything.

Would I squeeze out a dollop of toothpaste and leave it there for a few days? Of course not. I wouldn't do that with any substance.

Marble is awesome in a bathroom. I cleaned with a bleach/water mixture after a horrible experience with Oxyclean that I read about here. Keep it simple!

I doubt that toothpaste would cause any problems, otherwise we'd all be walking around with etched teeth.