Avoid cleaners that are marketed as 'natural', this does not indicate that they are safe for natural stone. Many green alternative cleaners contain harsh compounds, including vinegar. Vinegar eats away at natural stone, destroying its surface appearance, and functionality.
Don't: Use Abrasive Pads
After proper sealing, cleaning should be accomplished with nothing more than a soft (preferably microfiber) towels or clean rag, along with a stone-safe cleaner like MARBLELIFE® Marble & Travertine Cleaner. Abrasive materials will scratch this soft surface over time dulling the surface.
Travertine can suffer permanent damage from Acid and harsh chemicals because it is a type of Limestone, formed from calcium. Travertine can be matt, honed or polished. Travertine can be sealed with Impregnating sealers, Topical sealers and Waxed.
Use a Mild Cleaning Solution:
Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap to clean your travertine. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage the sealant.
Fill your bucket with warm water and mix a small amount of dish soap or the appropriate amount of commercial stone tile cleaner as directed by the manufacturer. Never use harsh chemicals or acid-based cleaners, as these can seriously damage travertine tiles..
A typical dilution rate, suitable for cleaning most travertine tiled floors, is 1:4 – One part cleaning solution to 4 parts water. Stone Floor Cleaner is fantastic for cleaning floors which have become very dirty over time. It is safe for use on acid-sensitive floors like travertine, limestone and marble.
We also NEVER recommend using OxiClean or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as a cleaner on any type of natural stone. OxiClean and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser have many beneficial uses but using it to clean your travertine is NOT one of them.
Add one tablespoon of mild and non-acidic dish soap to a bucket of water. Submerge the mop in this solution, wring it and then clean the floor. Doing this will disinfect your floor. Always use non-acidic dish soap on the travertine tiles.
It's important to choose the correct cleaning agent so your travertine doesn't absorb harsh chemicals that will cause damage. Avoid using products such as Mr. Clean, Windex, dish soap, or similar cleaning agents because they leave a film of residue on your travertine that will attract dust and grime.
Cons of Travertine
Travertine Limestones are porous, which makes them vulnerable to stains and scratches. On exposure to acids, they react and get damaged.
You must seal your Travertine tiles right when you install them. After that, it is best to reseal them every one to three years. Resealing also depends on the foot traffic and frequency of cleaning the tiles. If they start to look dull or you notice any stains, it might be time to bring out the sealant again.
Tile cleaners (specifically formulated for use on ceramic and porcelain surfaces) often include acids which do not hard ceramic or porcelain but will eat travertine so fast you can watch it bubbling. Common popular hard water cleaners sold on TV will literally dissolve your travertine.
Avoid Citrus Or Vinegar Cleaning Agents
Both these elements will cause the Travertine surface to dull. Acidic substances like lemon, orange peels, baking soda, vinegar slowly may penetrate the surface to cause irreparable damage.
Sealing existing travertine tiled floors. We recommend sealing travertine tiled floors or walls with an impregnating sealer like Floorseal Natural Stone Sealer Breathe. This kind of sealer sinks/soaks into the stone and seals from within.
Murphy® Oil Soap and other non-synthetic solutions are safe to use on tile and grout without wearing down either one, but other natural solutions include rubbing alcohol, particularly for more set spots of mildew.
The only reason you need sealing is because the stone has pores on the surface rather you can say the stone is porous in nature and would absorb not only water but moisture and any other liquid if spilled on the surface. This can cause stains and etching marks which would damage the natural beauty of the stone.
Travertine will require more maintenance than some flooring options, although sealed and filled travertine will be a bit easier to manage. As with any flooring option, regular cleaning is key to keeping your floors looking beautiful for longer.
If your travertine pavers aren't sealed regularly, they'll start to fade due to sun damage. Even if your pavers don't receive harsh sunlight year-round, any sunlight they do receive will be damaging and lead to their color fading rapidly.
What Cleaners are Safe for Travertine Tiles? It is important to choose mild cleaners that are made specifically for natural stone. You can use a mild dish soap and water if natural stone cleaner is not available.
Mopping: Dry 'mop' your travertine floors with a clean, dry dust mop to remove daily dirt, dust, and debris. Next, if needed, use a soft mop, with warm water to clean the travertine. If needed, you can also use a travertine specific floor cleaner.
We also NEVER recommend using OxiClean or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as a cleaner on any type of natural stone. OxiClean and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser have many beneficial uses but using it to clean your travertine is NOT one of them.
Bathrooms are a haven for mold and mildew and even the most diligent cleaning routines may not be able to stop it from forming. To kill off mold and mildew and keep your investment looking its best, travertine can be cleaned with a peroxide-based product like Oxiclean, which will not harm the polish on your travertine.
Travertine resurfaced, polished, color enhanced
This shower in Escondido had been damaged by CLR, a type of cleaner that is not safe for stone. Many homeowners do not realize that most bathroom cleaners will damage their stone.