If you have natural stone worktops or you are considering installing them, then it’s important to understand their strengths and weaknesses. While many people think of acidic substances as harmful, alkaline substances can also cause damage. Here’s what you need to know about alkaline substances and your stone worktops. Alkaline Substances Cause Etching Acid substances like vinegar and tomatoes are known to cause damage to natural stone and they can even stain these surfaces. Alkaline substances can also cause damage in the form of etching. This is why it is so important to take care when preparing food and whenever you clean your worktops. What is Etching Damage? Etching is caused due to a chemical reaction between the substance and the surface. Think about a drinking glass that has just been washed in your dishwasher but it has a persistent white spot that will not go away. This is an