What are Limestone Fireplace Mantels?

If you are in the market for a new fireplace mantel, there can be a variety of materials to choose from. An elegant choice is a limestone fireplace mantel. This type of natural stone mantel provides a sense of refinement to your home. While limestone fireplace mantels make a great choice for any home, there are certain traits to limestone that you will want to keep in mind in order to get the most out of your mantel.

Limestone is softer and more porous than most other natural stones, such as granite. While these features are part of what makes limestone aesthetically pleasing, special care instructions are needed to keep limestone looking good into the future.

If you wish to clean your limestone mantel, kitchen and bathroom cleaners should be avoided at all costs. These cleaners contain chemicals that will eventually discolor your limestone mantel. In fact, limestone is so delicate that using paper towels to wipe it off can actually scratch it. Likewise, avoid steel wool pads.

If your mantel is dusty, it is inadvisable to use the cleaning attachments from your vacuum to clear the dust. These plastic devices will surely leave a scratch on the surface. Instead, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the dust away from your limestone mantel. In a pinch, a dry cotton cloth is also acceptable. Another factor for keeping your new mantel looking its best for many years is choosing the objects placed on top of them carefully. Do not place drinks or flower vases containing water directly onto the surface. Doing so can create permanent rings.

One way to try and safeguard against instances of unwanted damage to your limestone mantel is to apply a sealer. A sealer will help to prevent potential harm caused by soot and debris from burning wood.

Following these care instructions should ensure that your limestone fireplace mantel will be in good shape for years to come.

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