Natural stone is a dynamic material exhibiting tremendous variation. From the palette of colors to the diversity of textures. We’ve talked a lot in the past about how to care for and protect these elegant surfaces. However, we haven’t discussed what these surfaces actually are. As with anything a little understanding can provide insight into best care practices, for a long lasting clean appearance.

Natural stone is as old as the earth itself and because of this, there’s a certain quality – a certain magic – about stone that simply can’t be reproduced by other materials. The composition of natural stone is complex on both a chemical and physical basis. With variations in density, absorption, and resilience, these factors all have an impact on the maintenance required to protect and preserve your stone, and the evidence of its unique history. The last thing we want to do is to add a new chapter based on our care methods. 

In the last 20 – 30 years, there has been a revolution in the stone industry worldwide. Natural and composite stone products have become the material of choice when constructing or renovating homes, office buildings, commercial spaces, and more. 

Natural stone comes from locations all over the world including: Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, the United States, France, Brazil, Mexico, and China. There are more than twenty-thousand different stone types. It would take a book to list every type of stone available but there are some common characteristics we can identify, that are useful to our story. There are three basic geological types: 

1. Igneous Rocks (Granite) 

Mainly formed by molten magma. As magma cools and condenses, it crystallizes forming a variety of colors and patterns. 

2. Metamorphic Rock (Marble) 

Formed of calcium carbonate based material common in shells. Over time, with the pressure based on depth of stone, and movement, it is compressed until it fuses or crystallizes. The different mineral concentration lend it its variation in color, variety and texture. 

3. Sedimentary Rocks (Limestone) 

A collection of bottom rocks, fossils, sand and silt. They were laid down in layers, and banded together through time while under the heavy pressure of the stone above to form a multi-layered designs. Very different looks can be achieved by cutting across the vein of with the vein, as you can imagine. 

MARBLE 

At its core, marble is really a form of compressed limestone that is dense enough to take a polish. Limestones and therefore marbles are composed of primarily made of calcite or dolomite, with the color in the marble being the result of other mineral impurities in the composition. So iron contributes to a red, and sulfur a black. 

No matter what the color, marble usually has veining running through it. Usually different in color than the main color of the stone. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Marble is relatively soft when compared to other stones and will scratch easily as a result. Its CaCO3 make-up lends it to suffer from acidic sensitivity, etching on contact. Want to understand this better? Place a lemon slice or a drop of vinegar on a raw marble surface and you will leave a permanent etch mark burned into the surface. So fast you can write your name in as little time as it takes to drink the glass of water that came along with that lemon wedge.

GRANITE 

Granite is chiefly composed of 30 percent quartz and 60 percent feldspar. These minerals are much harder than the calcite of marbles and for this reason granite will not scratch as easily as marble. This stone is resistant to most acids and will not etch nor leave a dull spot on the surface, as marble does. Hydrofluoric acids, an exceptionally strong acid, found in products such as rust removers, can damage even this normally acid resistant surface. Granite contains crystals, which lend it a very distinct, appearance, almost as if small to medium stones were fused together. Despite its inherent resilience, regular sealing is still recommended to keep granite looking its best, as all stones retain some level of porosity.

TRAVERTINE 

Travertine is a type of limestone forms in the presence of hot springs. The water movement erodes the travertine creating holes in the stone. “Closed” travertine usually has these holes filled with a tan colored cement. These fillers typically do not polish as well as the natural stone giving the travertine a blotchy appearance. Unfilled travertine will still exhibit holes and are commonly found on walls, floors, and building exteriors. This stone is commonly found in tans and beige colors but can also be found in silver and reds. However, like marble, when damaged it turns white.

In the U.S., many states are heading into or already in another lockdown. It’s been a rollercoaster year, and researchers have already found that COVID-19 has threatened mental and emotional wellbeing at alarming rates.

With so much uncertainty in the world, feeling stressed or anxious is normal. We are hardwired to respond to threats this way. If we didn’t have this response built in, our ancestors would all have been eaten by saber tooth tigers. Today, however, that fight or flight response is not as useful when what we perceive as a threat is not as immediate as a predator emerging from the brush.

COVID-19 is a real threat, to be sure, but it’s a very different kind of threat. Your stress response won’t help you run and hide, and you can’t wave your caveman club until it decides to move on. You’re at home. You might be alone. And you have to wait—all while your emotions run rampant, affecting your sleep, your eating habits, and your relationships.

In these moments, you can make the choice to respond to stress and anxiety in a healthy way. It’s not always easy. It takes practice. And you may need to ask for help sometimes, but you do have a choice.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Practice mindfulness. Learning to master your thoughts and emotions is key. Slow your breaths, focus on the feeling of the air moving in and out, acknowledge thoughts as they come but always return to your breathing. This small step can have a big impact.

2. Stay active, even if you are at home. Depending on where you live, keeping up with your steps may not be possible during lockdown, but you can still stay active. There are a bunch of free programs for bodyweight exercises, yoga, and aerobics. Don’t forget to talk to your physician if any of these programs are different from your usual routine.

3. Connect with community. You are never truly alone, even if you feel physically isolated. If you have an internet connection or a phone line, reach out to family, friends, church, helplines.

4. Talk to a professional.  If your body is sick, talk to your health care provider. If you start to feel overwhelmed by your emotions and aren’t finding a healthy way to address those feelings, reach out to a professional for help.

They bait you with a low price, then switch you to their dual scrub or deep cleaning system. They proceed to soak your carpet and leave a soapy residue behind. Good luck getting them back again! Does this scenario ring a bell?

Beware of low priced carpet cleaning. If their price is truly low, you should be concerned about their quality. how can you pay technicians a decent wage and have the best products and equipment at the lowest price? you can’t.

Some companies advertise a low price, then charge you more when they get there. Be clear about what is included and what is not. Their fine print says we recommend our dual scrub method for all heavily soiled carpet. How many carpets are heavily soiled? All of them! Even if you held them to the low $, you would get a very poor cleaning. There are some questions you need to be asking these cleaners,

Here are some questions to ask every carpet cleaner about their cleaning:

• What method do you use?
• Do you vacuum the carpet?
• Do you pre-spot urine and other spots?
• Do you pre-spray the carpet?
• Do you neutralize the carpet?
• Do you post-groom the carpet?
• Is all spot cleaning included in the price?
• Is pet odor treatment included in the price?
• Do you give a free bottle of spot remover?
• Do you give a free pair of booties? 

Questions to ask about their company:  

• Do you have recent references?
• How long have you been in business?
• Are you certified by the IICRC?
• Do you offer a 100% money-back guarantee?
• Do you have an on-time guarantee?
• Do you use sub-contractors or employees?
• Do you do background checks on your sub-contractors or employees?
• Do you have liability insurance?
• Do you have a re-soiling guarantee?