How to Clean Travertine Flooring

Travertine tile is a high-end upgrade that you may be proud to have in your home. As a natural stone material, it brings earthy tones and upscale charm to your space. This material is undeniably strong and is well-suited for high-traffic areas in your home. However, special care is required in order to maintain its beauty and its excellent condition. Before you clean your tile floor, you need to learn the proper steps to care for it.

• Why Travertine Tile Requires Special Care

Travertine is a type of limestone that is formed naturally through the accumulation of calcium carbonate. The stone can have a polished finish or a honed finish. The travertine stone with a polished finish is most commonly used with furnishings, walls, and counters. The polished finish has a high-gloss look.

On the other hand, the travertine flooring in your home likely has a honed finish. This honed travertine has a smooth surface with a moderately matte finish. This material is durable enough to withstand decades of heavy foot traffic, but it can be damaged with exposure to certain cleaning products. Specifically, erosion can occur when the travertine is exposed to harsh chemicals, phosphate cleaning products, and acidic substances. It is also prone to staining from spills and ground-in dirt.

• Daily and Weekly Cleaning Steps

As is the case with other flooring materials in your home, travertine tile requires various and frequent cleaning and maintenance efforts. On a daily basis, you should use a soft-bristle broom to clear away all dirt particles and other sediments that fall on it. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of ground-in filth that you need to contend with over time. Many of the food and drink spills that your floor could be exposed to can cause staining or other types of damage. All spills should be removed as soon as possible. On a weekly basis, wipe down the floor with a clean, damp mop. This will remove the particles that the broom missed. It will also remove any spills that you may have overlooked.

• Monthly Disinfection and Deep Cleaning

To disinfect travertine tile, a mild cleaning agent is required. A suitable cleaning agent is a soap-free cleanser that is specifically suitable for use on natural stone, such as limestone and travertine. Another option is a few drops of mild liquid dish soap mixed with warm water. Your preferred cleaning product can be applied with a soft mop or a wet vacuum. Remember to sweep the floor before mopping to prevent unnecessary damage to the tile. If the floor looks lackluster after cleaning it, consider running a damp mop with fresh water over it to remove the film.

Your grout also should be cleaned periodically. Depending on how heavy the traffic is in your home, this may be every couple of months or more frequently. Typically, a bleach-based cleaning agent is used to clean grout. This is not suitable for grout with travertine floors because the bleach can damage the tile. Instead, make a paste using water and baking soda. Scrub the grout using a soft-bristle brush and this paste. Then, rinse the grout with clean water.

• Periodic Application of Stone Floor Sealant

While travertine tile is a smooth surface that appears to be non-porous, it actually has many microscopic pores. These pores can collect dirt particles, liquids from spills, and other elements. As more filth collects in the pores, the floor will look increasingly dirty and discolored. Mold growth can even become problematic.

The best way to reduce the impact of elements penetrating into these pores is to seal the floor periodically. Two types of sealant should be used. The first step is to apply a sealant that will penetrate into the pores to prevent moisture saturation. A topcoat sealant can then be applied to protect the surface of the tile and to prevent stains. These sealants should be applied every few years according to the products’ printed instructions.

Your home’s travertine tile is only one of many surfaces that require special attention. It can be challenging to keep up with all of the special care instructions for these various surfaces. Our cleaners have significant experience in cleaning all types of surfaces. We know how to deliver beautiful results while also protecting your home from unnecessary damage. If you are looking for an easier way to care for your home, contact our Houston professionals today to inquire about our cleaning services.