don’t be scared, it’s only limestone

Maybe like me you bought a house with limestone slab counter tops, or better yet you want to put limestone in your house. Well here are the ins and outs of limestone and its many delicate characteristics. 

Limestone is a very common sedimentary rock composed mostly of the mineral calcite, (lime). Limestone is formed over many years of reef bed build-up, making most limestone found in areas where prehistoric oceans or seas once were. Since reefs often build upon the skeletal debris of former reef inhabitants, organisms themselves leave fossils in the rock and entire communities–even entire reef structures–can be preserved in limestone beds. It is this buildup of fossilized organisms that gives limestone tiles and slabs their distinctive fossil-filled character.

Although limestone is used a great deal both architecturally and in design it is not quite as strong as sandstone, marble or granite and is easily weathered by acidic conditions.  Not only acidic exterior conditions, but interior elements can and will have a major effect on how long your limestone lasts. Although you will often see limestone in older buildings throughout the world, this limestone flooring is normally chalky and porous; these are typical characteristics ofmost French and Spanish limestones

My countertop is the very light-colored Honed Fossil Azul limestone, which is beautiful, but I can not stress enough how insanely porous it is. However, there are some limestones that are darker, more dense and less porous; St. Marc, Honed Empire Brown and St. Marie. 

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t choose limestone, I am just saying you should make sure you know what you are getting into and be aware that you need to help it age gracefully. Graceful ageing of limestone can be achieved by initial sealing, routine cleaning and continual by-yearly sealing (especially in wet areas), wiping up spills immediately and not cutting or letting highly acidic vegetables or fruits sit on the counter for long periods of time.

 Here are some Do’s and Don’ts when considering limestone.

DO: clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware. Use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch the stone’s surface. Use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices. Clean surfaces regularly with a product that has a low PH, I also recommend one with a sealer in it. Use a tray for toiletry products in the bathroom to protect the surface from the damaging chemicals in many toiletry products.

DON’T: Wait to clean up spills on stone. Use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub cleaners. Use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general-purpose cleaners. Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers. Use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone. Use scouring powders and abrasives because they will scratch the surface. Use toiletry products directly on the countertop surface.

See, now that you know, limestone is not scary.  It is just a delicate creation and requires a little extra love and devotion. Remember if you love limestone, your limestone will love you back.