December 2015 Newsletter
COMPANY NEWS: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
As 2015 draws to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect. We want to thank you, our loyal customers, for another fantastic year. Nothing makes us as happy as the satisfaction of our customers when we help them to beautify their houses with our made-in-the-USA mantels and range hoods. We’ve been blessed to have another successful year in business. We hope your year has been as wonderful as ours, and that 2016 brings you even more happiness and prosperity. To ring in the New Year right Old World Stoneworks will be offering 10% off all Mantels from January 1st until January 31st! Get a quote today to take advantage of this limited time offer.
EXPERT TIP: HEARTH AND HOME, AND KEEPING YOUR MANTEL STYLE FRESH
If you read our blog posts, you might have noticed that we are big believers in decorating the mantel for every major holiday, and even some minor ones. You might wonder, are we Martha Stewart wannabes who are obsessed with every detail of décor? Well, maybe a little bit. But there’s more to it than that.
Surely you’ve heard the expression “loyalty to hearth and home.” But have you ever contemplated it? The hearth, or paved floor of your fireplace, may extend into your living room. Since the fireplace was historically the main heat source in a house, family members gathered there on the warm bricks. Many households also relied on the fireplace to cook their food. So the hearth was vital to their very sustenance, and the warmth and health of their family. Over time, the “hearth” in “hearth and home” became synonymous with family.
Nowadays, the hearth often battles with the TV as a home’s focal point. We have ovens to cook and furnaces to heat. But deep within us, the hearth still has that symbolic role of drawing family together. So whenever you spend time decorating your mantel and tending to the area around your fireplace, you’re honoring this deep commitment to family, your loyalty to hearth and home.
After you take down your New Year’s mantel décor is the perfect time to clean your mantel and get it ready for all its 2016 looks. Here’s how to safely freshen up your stone mantel.
Preparation
A tarp on the floor and painter’s tape on the walls surrounding the mantel will keep nearby surfaces safe from splashing.
Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need a soft bristle brush, a bucket and some cleaning solution. You can buy special stone-cleaning products, or use gentle dishwashing detergent. Mix one part detergent with three parts water, or follow direction on the label if you have stone-cleaning solution. For bad stains, you can mix 10 parts water with one part muriatic acid. Protect your hands with gloves when using any kind of acid.
Soak the Mantel
Warm water does the job. Presoaking the mantel will protect it from being burned by your muriatic acid solution. Use a sponge to evenly apply warm water.
Cleaning
Wet your soft-bristle brush with the cleaning agent, then scrub gently. Rinse with fresh water immediately to avoid permanently discoloring your mantel. An old toothbrush can scrub dirt out of the more stubborn spots.
Seal It
After your mantel has dried thoroughly, apply a sealer designed for stone products, we recommend Prime-A-Pell 200. This helps prevent staining between cleanings.
Now you’re ready for a new year of mantel décor! May 2016 shower great blessings upon your hearth and home.
