How to Clean Cast Stone Fireplace Mantels
Maintainance of Stone Fireplaces
The temptation of the fire, the design of the cast stone fireplace is very appealing interior decor. Today, cast stone fireplace mantels are choice of material for many interior designers. For the following reasons.
-Cast Stone fireplace mantels have real character.
-Cast Stone mantels simulate natural limestone fireplaces.
-Cast Stone is cost effective alternative than natural stone fireplaces.
-Cast Stone offers wide selection of designs.
Now, if you choose to install cast fireplace surround, you must maintain it correctly, so that it does not trap dirt, stain or dust.
It is a good idea to apply a concrete sealer, once your new mantel is installed. Before you apply the sealer, be sure the stone is clean and free of dust or stains. The sealer penetrates into the stone and creates a barrier. This makes cleaning easy.
Cleaning Cast Stone Mantels
If your mantel is sealed, use household cleaning detergents with hot water to clean the stains. Use a rough sponge to scrub it.
If your mantel is not sealed. First, try to clean it using household detergent with hot water. If this does not help, the stain may have penetrated deeper into the stone.
Second, try to clean it with muratic acid diluted it with water 4 to 1 ratio. This is the same type of acid that is used for pools. You can find it at your local hardware store. Be sure you are wearing all the necessary protective gear, such as latex gloves, goggles, skin protection, cover the floor also. Read all the warnings on the labels.
Third, if your stains do not disappear on the second step, contact your local building materials store asked them if they have concrete cleaning solution. This type of commercially available solutions are only available at specialty stores, you will not find it at Home Depot or Lowe's.
Fourth, if you have tried everything and the stain still does not go away. You may have limited options. Since, sandblasting it is not an option at indoors, I would suggest you faux paint your mantel or stain it using acrylic based concrete stains to mask your original stain, which is not going away.
Staining a stone fireplace with an acrylic concrete stain requires an artistic approach.
About the Author
The author has worked in the concrete industry and cast stone materials for over 15 years. He has worked on many stone restoration projects that required cleaning the stone.
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