How To Clean Travertine Tile?
Cleaning travertine is really simple. However, it’s crucial to understand what you’re up against. Once you understand the properties of travertine and follow the easy “How To” guidelines outlined below, your travertine will absolutely last for years.
What is the best way to clean travertine tile floors?
There is no “perfect” way to clean travertine tile floors, but following these ways will definitely be helpful.
Act quickly: Blotting the liquid or sweeping up the debris as soon as possible is one of the best ways to avoid travertine tile stains. This is considered the simplest method for preventing difficult-to-remove stains from establishing.
Seal: Your travertine tiles, particularly if you’re placing them outside in a lanai region. This will ensure that your travertine tiles are spotless after cleaning.
Mopping: to remove everyday debris, dust, and dirt, dust, dry ‘mop’ your travertine floors with a spotless, dry dust mop. Then, if necessary, clean the travertine with a gentle mop and lukewarm water. In addition, you can use a travertine floor cleaner if necessary.
What should you not use on travertine tile?
Regarding the cleaning travertine tile, there are a few things to avoid as follows:
- Use any type of store-bought, general cleaning product. In general, cleaning travertine with store-bought products containing alkalis, acids, and other chemicals can engrave or harm the tile or countertop surface and deteriorate the sealant, making the stone more susceptible to staining.
- Washing travertine with lemon, orange, ammonia, or vinegar is a good idea. As previously stated, the only agents to use are hot water and a sponge, as well as a stone cleaner.
- Clean the tub, bathroom, and grout or tile with a generic tub, bathroom, and grout or tile cleaner. Abrasive particles in the powders and the “gentle” creams will scrape and monotonous the surface.
How do you deep clean travertine?
It will be easier to keep your travertine tiles looking fantastic if you wipe clean-up spills as promptly as possible. Do you have travertine tiles in your bath, shower, or kitchen? Dish soap, soap, body wash, and shampoo residue splattered across your tiles can all end up resulting in etching and harm to the stone’s surface over time. Make sure those tiles are free of debris by vacuuming or sweeping them, then wiping or mopping them with a delicate mix of low-PH water and soap and drying with a cloth or allowing them to air dry.
Can I use vinegar to clean travertine tile?
Yes, you can absolutely use vinegar to clean travertine tile. However, it’s not a good idea! As you might know, Travertine is an alkaline stone that reacts badly to acidic substances. As a result, while we love vinegar for a variety of cleaning projects, we strongly suggest you avoid using it on your travertine floor.
How do you maintain travertine tile?
Travertine can be kept clean by using gentle cleansers and paying attention to the grout. When cleaning and maintaining your travertine floors, avoid using abrasive chemical cleaners or whatever is acidic. Travertine stone, as you might know, is an alkaline substance by essence, and it might stain and darken when exposed to acidic substances.
Water penetration, smudges, blemishes, and the growth of black, unattractive, and unhealthful mold are the most susceptible points in your travertine flooring assemblement. These areas are prone to water penetration, smudges, as well as discoloration. In addition, commercial grout cleaners for ceramic tile should not be used on travertine as they typically comprise bleaches that can etch the stone.
Besides, grout lines might be totally scrapped and replaced if needed, giving your flooring set up a fresh and revitalized appearance. Regrouting is a far easier and less costly option than substituting a whole travertine floor, despite being a mildly difficult task.
How do you refresh travertine tile?
It’s a good idea to start by extensively cleaning them. In addition, there are different options, such as polishing, buffing, and sanding as well.
Step 1: Cleaning the floor
It’s critical to spend some time cleaning the tiles meticulously first.
Step 2: Sand the tiles
After that, use sandpaper to soften the travertine tile. While sanding the surface, it is best to use big and circular motions.
Step 3: Buff or polish the floor
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, you should use a buffing tool with a 100-grit diamond buffing pad. Start by filling the buffers carefully with water, and you’re ready to polish.
Step 4: Clean up the surface
Because there may be dust, sand, and debris leftover from your buffing cycles, finish the job the same way you started it: by mopping up the surface. According to the Chronicle, you should do this with clean water. After that, vacuum any remaining water with a wet vac.
It’s critical to allow the floor to dry completely. After that, use a tile sealant to prevent the surface from darkening. As such, your bathroom floor will be as fresh and new after this.
How to clean travertine floors naturally
There are only four simple and easy steps you need to do to clean your travertine floors naturally.
Step 1: Sweeping or vacuuming
The very first step here is to clean your floor with either a broom or vacuum to remove any dirt, sand, or particles. A hard floor vacuum, coupled with a broom to collect bigger debris, will work wonderfully.
Step 2: Mopping the floor
Combine clean water and a tiny quantity of soap in a mop bucket. Then clean the floor after wringing out enough liquid from the mop. Keep in mind that it is best to start at the top of a room and work all your way down, mopping your way out through the door. This way, you will not be walking on wet, slippery stones and then tracking new dirt.
Step 3: Using a dry cloth
After the floor is free of any smudges or pours, clean it the last time with a dry cloth to eliminate any remaining moisture. Of course, you can completely let it air dry, but don’t walk on it until it’s completely dry. Instead, let it air dry for the most part and then dry any regions that are still damp with a dry cloth.
Step 4: Sealing
You might have to apply a stone sealer again at least once per year, based on foot traffic, cleaning agents, and the type as well as the quality of sealer you were using on your travertine surface. Before applying, ensure that the floor is completely clean and dry. Finally, what is the outcome? Your travertine floor sparkles!
Steam cleaning travertine floors
Give the floor a deep cleaning with a steam cleaner. This step involves breaking up any leftover stripper or debris and dirt on the floor, as well as eliminating a few gentle smudges and scratches from the surface. What’s more, the grout between the tiles will be cleaned with the steam cleaner. You can only get a greater polish if you start with a good, freshly mopped floor, and steam cleaning is an important second step along the way.
