How to Clean Travertine Flooring?
Now in this post, we will learn how to clean Travertine Flooring? Step-by-Step Guide Travertine flooring is available in various designs, such as polished or hand-finished finishes.
Travertine is a type of natural stone that can often be used as an alternative to marble. The use of travertine flooring is widely preferred, especially for architectural purposes.
Due to the porous nature of travertine flooring, it needs regular maintenance and cleaning. Travertine floor tiles can easily collect dirt and dust.
How to clean travertine flooring in this post? Here are some tips. Through this, you can maintain the durability and natural beauty of your natural travertine flooring stone.
How to Clean Travertine Flooring? Step-By-Step Guide
Travertine floors are available in multiple shades and colors, such as brown, rust, or badge. So you can’t clean it easily. Here are some tips to keep your travertine floor clean long time.
Step 1: Vacuum
The primary step is to use a vacuum or broom to remove any dirt and particles on the floor. The hard floor vacuum works well with large debris combined with a brush.
Step 2: Mop
In a mop bucket, combine the right amount of clean water with the least non-acidic floor cleaner. Remove as much liquid from the mop as possible; then, the floor should be cleaned because the excess water in it will stain the stone.
It is best to start the floor cleaning from one side of your room and exit the door. So you can avoid walking on wet stone and you will not be exposed to new dirt.
Step 3: Disinfect the Floor
Now, it’s time for you to disinfect the travertine floor. For that, you need to add one teaspoon of non-acidic dish soap solution to one gallon of water.
Apply the prepared solution to the entire floor surface. Then, mop again with clean water to remove any delayed residue from its surface. The surface is then wiped with a dry towel.
Step 4: Cleaning the Grout Line
Grout lines in the travertine floor expand or contract with changes in season and temperature. It mainly protects the tiles from rubbing against each other and from cracking. But grout is very sensitive to water damage, discoloration, and staining.
You can clean the travertine grout line using an appropriate mixture of water and baking soda. To do this you need to scrub the grout lines using a special grout brush. But be careful to keep the paste and brush on the grout line and away from the travertine tile.
Commercial grout cleaners should not be used for travertine tile or grout. Because it bleach damages the travertine tiles.
If the grout lines of your travertine floor need to be repaired, you should again completely remove the grout between the travertine tiles and fill it with new, fresh grout. But re-grouting can be a daunting task.
Maintaining Travertine Flooring
Travertine tiles floor cannot hold dirt and grime like carpet and hardwood. Therefore, with a little care, its surface can be easily maintained and kept clean. Here are some top tips for the maintenance of travertine tiles floor.
1. Regular Sweeping
Regular sweeping of travertine tiles can remove dust and dirt. But if the dust and dirt are not removed it can make the travertine tiles dull.
On this type of floor, it is advisable to use a soft broom to remove small particles of dirt. So that scratches can be prevented due to the small particles.
2. Weekly Mopping the Floor
Weekly mopping the floor, providing a restored look to its surface. For best results, you can remove the stain from its surface using a mild cleaner and damp mop. So that the natural beauty of your travertine floor will be maintained.
3. Clean the Acidic Spills Immediately
To maintain the beauty of your travertine floor surface, clean the acidic spills immediately. So that the cause of staining in acidic spills tiles like soda, wine, or orange juice can be prevented.
If the stain has settled on its surface, you can use a pest called poultice to remove it. This paste is made up of chemical and absorbent agents. You can easily buy Poultice at your nearest store.
All you need to do is make sure the paste is based on the stain. Before using the paste, make sure it is safe for the travertine floor.
Poultice paste is easily applied evenly to the stain of travertine floors. It is then covered with plastic and left for 24 to 48 hours.
Sometimes it takes many days to get a satisfactory result from a paste-like poultice.
In some cases, a poultice cannot completely remove the stain. Then you should try other options to remove the stain completely
If you are not familiar with how to poultice paste reacts to the travertine floor, you should consult a professional. There are different types of chemicals available in the market. Which can sometimes damage the floor permanently.
4. Placing Carpets
To protect your travertine floor from scratches and wear, you can place carpets in traffic areas.
You also insist that people coming from outside take off their shoes before entering the house.
How to Seal Travertine Flooring?
1. Remove Any Wax Coating
The surface of the travertine tiles is coated with wax. So if you want to seal your tiles, you must first remove the wax with a special wax remover. For that, you should use a non-acidic solution. Since travertine tiles are extremely sensitive to an acidic solution, they are prone to staining.
2. Clean the Travertine
Then clean thoroughly with vacuuming carefully to remove large dirt and dust particles from its surface.
Clean your tiles by applying an alkaline or neutral cleanser to the surface of the travertine floor. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best cleaning of your floor. Therefore, any dirt, dust or grease can be removed from the floor surface. Now, let its surface dry with a cotton cloth.
3. Allow the Tiles to Dry
Let your travertine dry for 72 hours before applying the sealer to the floor surface. But restrict anyone from moving on the floor during this period.
4. Apply the Sealant
Now when you are going to install the sealer, carefully follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the selected sealer. Soft cloths are commonly used in the application process of many sealers. It should be spread on the travertine tiles in the same coat starting from one side of the room in the process of application.
Now after applying the sealer on the surface of the travertine floors do not proceed to the next section of the floor until the process is complete.
After applying the first coat of sealer to its floor surface, let it dry for about 30 minutes. Then apply a second sealer coat like the first coat. Then clean the excess sealer from its surface.
5. Allow the Sealer to Dry
After applying the sealer to the entire floor surface as above, wait about 48 hours for the surface to dry. So that you can take advantage of the ideal flooring sealer.
To test your floor sealer after it dries, put a few drops of water on the floor surface. If the sealer has dried, the water will form small beads.
Conclusion
Travertine floors can add significant value to your home. So the process of maintaining and cleaning it is the key to making your floor look divine. By sweeping and mopping regularly, you will experience the natural beauty of the travertine stone.
Avoid cleaning the surface of travertine floors with acidic cleaners like vinegar, bleach, and ammonia, as they can cause significant damage to the surface.
So you should choose a pH-neutral cleaner mixed in warm water to keep your floor shiny. Additionally, keep re-sealing your floor periodically.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Clean Travertine Flooring?
Cleaning travertine flooring Step-By-Step Guide
- Prepare The Area.
- Clear Surface Debris.
- Make A Cleaning Solution.
- Mop The Floor.
- Cleaning the Grout Line.
How to Seal Travertine Tile?
- Remove Any Wax Coating.
- Clean the Travertine tiles floor surface.
- Allow the Tiles to Dry.
- Apply the Sealant.
- Allow the Sealer to Dry.
Maintaining Travertine Flooring
- Regular Sweeping
- Weekly Mopping the Floor
- Clean the Acidic Spills Immediately
- Placing Carpets