---
title: "Can you mix vinegar and marble or limestone?"
description: "Vinegar and marble or limestone: no — it damages something or fails. What actually happens, and what to do instead."
url: https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/vinegar-and-natural-stone/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Can you mix vinegar and marble or limestone?

**Vinegar and Marble or limestone: No — it damages something or fails**

No. Acid etches calcium carbonate permanently.

## What actually happens

Marble, limestone and travertine are calcium carbonate, and acid dissolves it. The result is not a stain that can be cleaned off but a dull etched patch where the polished surface has gone, and restoring it means re-polishing the stone. Lemon juice, wine, tomato and any descaling product do the same. Granite and quartz composite are not carbonates and are unaffected.

## What to do instead

Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner on carbonate stone, and wipe acidic spills immediately.

## Around the house

| Combination | Verdict | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One battery brand and a different brand or age | Do not | No — mixing brands, ages or chemistries in one device causes leaks. |
| Bleach and laundry detergent | Do not | Usually safe but wasteful — and unsafe if the detergent contains ammonia. |

## Common questions

### Can you mix vinegar and marble or limestone?

No — it damages something or fails. No. Acid etches calcium carbonate permanently.

### What happens if you do?

Marble, limestone and travertine are calcium carbonate, and acid dissolves it. The result is not a stain that can be cleaned off but a dull etched patch where the polished surface has gone, and restoring it means re-polishing the stone. Lemon juice, wine, tomato and any descaling product do the same. Granite and quartz composite are not carbonates and are unaffected.

### What should I do instead?

Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner on carbonate stone, and wipe acidic spills immediately.

## Related pages

- [One battery brand and a different brand or age](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/battery-brands/)
- [Bleach and laundry detergent](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/bleach-and-laundry-detergent/)
- [Bleach and ammonia](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/bleach-and-ammonia/)
- [Bleach and vinegar](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/bleach-and-vinegar/)
- [Bleach and toilet cleaner](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/bleach-and-toilet-cleaner/)
- [Bleach and rubbing alcohol](https://atoneplace.net/can-you-mix/bleach-and-rubbing-alcohol/)
- [Hazard symbols](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/)

## Sources

- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)