Travertine tile cleaning

What Is Travertine?

Travertine is a popular natural stone that is extracted from the earth and then turned into tiles to cover the floors and has been used for architectural uses for thousands of years. Since travertine is a form of limestone, compared to other stone construction materials it is rather porous and that’s why travertine tile cleaning is relatively a sensitive task. So, when cleaning travertine tiles, precaution is advised.

How Often Should We Clean a Travertine Floor

The long durability of travertine makes many people think that it can take anything. Although regular weekly sweeping, vacuuming and mopping can remove small particles that cause scratches to the surface of the tile and wear down its sealant coat over time, there are three more parts to travertine tile cleaning and maintaining:

• Disinfecting the floors once a month

• Cleaning grout lines once in a while. It depends on how dirty your floor gets.

• Surface-sealing the travertine tiles every 3 to 5 years. Since harsh chemicals can harm the tile and cause the sealing to wear out more rapidly, surface-sealing needs additional applications.
   

How to Clean Travertine Floors

Although travertine is a strong stone, its microscopic pores make it rather sensitive and that’s why travertine tile cleaning and preserving is required additional care. To clean your travertine floor such as the pool deck, you should first clean it with a piece of soft cloth to avoid the dirt being spread all over the floor. Then make a mixture of mild soap or travertine cleanser with three times the amount of water. Dip a cloth or sponge into the solution and wipe the floor clean. The travertine doesn’t have to be shined. Now soak another piece of cloth or sponge to rinse. Remember that rinsing is quite important, since leaving soap on the stone will make it cloudy.

Instructions for travertine tile cleaning

Travertine tile cleaning is not difficult, but it takes constant care. Following the instructions below will allow you to preserve your travertine tile floor for a longer time and makes it look as shiny and beautiful as possible.

• Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove small particles and dirt

• Wash the floor; apply a small amount of warm water to the floor with a sponge or mop that is dry enough to hardly wet the travertine surface. Do not saturate travertine tiles with water, as it can penetrate the bottom of the sealant or grout lines and cause discoloration, degradation, and mold growth.

• Disinfect the floor; If it is time to disinfect the floor, add a tablespoon of mild, non-acidic soap to a gallon of water. Moisten the floor with this solution and wipe it with water for the second time to remove any residue. Then dry the surface with a clean towel.

• Clean the grout lines; Cleaning the grout around travertine tiles can be difficult because you do not want to stain the stone, but you will need an abrasive to clean the grout. If the grout lines are to be cleaned, mix equal amounts of baking soda and water to form a paste. To prevent scratching the tiles, carefully clean the slightly abrasive paste off the grout lines with a small brush to prevent travertine cracking and damaging. Also, try a stone cleaner to clean the grout.

• For perfect travertine tile cleaning, using travertine-friendly products is advised; When cleaning natural stones, you have to be careful with the chemical products. Chemicals and liquids can be absorbed by travertine tile, which will cause the tiles to be discolored and damaged.

• Using rough materials for travertine tile cleaning, such as dishwashing wire sponges, is strictly forbidden because it causes travertine to become cloudy.

 

How to keep travertine floor clean for a longer period of time

The maintenance of travertine depends on the use of mild cleaners and grout care. Never use abrasive chemical cleaners or anything acidic when cleaning your travertine floor. Travertine is an alkaline substance in nature and can be stained or discolored in contact with acidic materials. grout lines between tiles are the most vulnerable points in travertine floor installation; Because these spaces are prone to water penetration, stains, discoloration, and the growth of unpleasant and unhealthy mold. getting your travertine polished can also help a lot to have your travertine cleaned for a long time.

Important notes for travertine tile cleaning

The important point in travertine tile cleaning is that the stone should be cleaned immediately after it gets dirty. It’s easy to clean the stone just after it gets stained and the stains can be removed easily and entirely. But when the stain remains on the stone, especially tea or coffee stain, cleaning it will not be as easy.

How to Maintain Travertine Floors

Since travertine tiles don’t attract or hold onto dirt and dust, it’s relatively easy to keep them clean. By following some easy instructions not only your travertine floor will remain clean but also it will maintain its beauty for a longer period of time.

• Sweep regularly; since dirt is extremely harmful to travertine it would be very helpful to sweep your travertine floor at least three times a week. If you prefer vacuum cleaners use them cautiously. If your vacuum lacks hard floor settings and soft attachments, it may scratch the surface.

• Mop Weekly; this will restore the surface and takes care of any build-up or stain. To get the best result you’d better use a mild cleaner and damp mop. this way your travertine floor will maintain its beauty for years.

• Use rugs and carpets; laying down a few rugs or carpets on areas where there is much activity will protect the floor against scratches.

Last Words

Travertine tile is a type of tile made of limestone that is composed of mineral sediments formed in natural spring, therefore travertine tile cleaning must be conducted carefully. This natural stone has been widely used in construction and architecture for thousands of years and if maintained well enough, it can last for more than 30 years. Travertine floors are a great choice for your home and add a great deal of beauty and colorfulness to your living area. However, to keep your floors looking astonishing you have to keep an eye on it. Mopping and sweeping regularly is the key to maintenance.