Q. I very recently purchased a bluestone dining room table. There is now a white circle. I'm thinking that it came from a beer bottle that was placed on the table without a coaster. I tried a poultice of baking soda and water paste, but it did nothing. Please help me.
A. Most natural stone surfaces can be brought back to their original appearance with appropriate repair and restoration methods. Bluestone isn’t made of calcium carbonate, like marble, limestone, or travertine. That means it will not etch, or react to acids, in the same way. Etching is surface damage caused by acidic substances reacting with certain stone types. Contrary to common assumptions, acidic liquids can leave marks on a protective sealer. In this case, what you’re seeing is likely staining or finish damage rather than true etching, so the focus should be on drawing out the stain and revitalizing the sealer layer.
You can try the following approach. Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone—or a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Gently scrub the area with a soft-bristle brush or non-abrasive pad to remove any debris. This simple step may be enough to fix the issue.
If the dull spot remains, apply a poultice. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App.
If the surface still remains uneven after cleaning and using a poultice, the sealer has probably been compromised. In that situation, the existing sealer will need to be removed and replaced with a new application. It’s best to have a professional stone restoration specialist handle this, as they can properly refinish and reseal the surface to ensure a uniform, like-new finish. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]
Article ID: 795
Created: October 8, 2025
Last Updated: October 10, 2025
Author: Alice Dean
Online URL: https://surfacecarepros.com/kb/article/how-to-remove-a-circular-white-discoloration-on-a-stone-table-795.html