Travertine floor tiles are beautiful and elegant, but their natural beauty and elegance also means they need special care to keep them looking their best. Travertine is a porous stone, unlike other types of stone, and can absorb liquids, be stained, etched and become dull if not properly maintained. In this post, we’ll show you everything you need to know about before you clean travertine tiles, including the best cleaning solutions to avoid and ways to protect and enhance the stone’s natural beauty. But whether you’re new to caring for travertine and just decided to buy travertine or you’re in search of expert tips for keeping your floors spotless and lasting, we’ve got you covered!
How to clean travertine floor tiles?
Below, we will thoroughly explain how to clean travertine floor tiles and we’ll go through each method one by one.
Cleaning travertine tiles by sweeping and vacuuming
First steps for cleaning travertine tiles are sweeping and vacuuming. It’s important to regularly clean travertine tiles by removing dust, dirt and debris, as the particles can scratch the surface over time if they’re ground in by foot traffic. Here’s how to safely sweep and vacuum your travertine tiles:
- Sweeping: Sweep your tiles with a soft bristled broom. A gentle touch is key, as hard bristles can scratch the stone.
- Vacuuming: Travertine tiles can be vacuumed, but be careful with the vacuum head and any wheels, as these can sometimes leave marks. Choose a vacuum with a setting for hard floors or a special vacuum for natural stone. Don’t use beater bars that are common on carpet settings, which can damage the tile’s surface.
Once you’ve removed dust and debris, use a damp mopping with a pH neutral cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone to further protect the beauty and integrity of your travertine floor.
Using a cleaning solution for travertine floor tiles
When it comes to using a cleaning solution for travertine floor tiles, you need to be very careful not to damage your tiles. Travertine is a calcium-based stone so it will react to acidic substances and cause etching and dull the surface. Here are safe, effective options to clean travertine tiles:
- pH-Neutral Stone Cleaners: A pH neutral cleaner made for natural stone is the safest option. These cleaners are gentle, won’t react with the stone, and will help keep your stone looking as natural as possible over time. Dilute properly according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Mild Dish Soap and Warm Water: A few drops of mild dish soap in warm water can work for regular, light cleaning. Use a soft mop or microfiber cloth and don’t leave any soapy residue as it can leave a film over time.
- Stone-Safe Disinfectants: If you have to disinfect, find stone safe disinfectant products. Don’t use harsh chemical disinfectants, as they can damage the travertine finish. Make sure to always check the label to make sure it’s suitable for natural stone.
Cleaning solutions to avoid when you clean travertine tiles
- Vinegar and Citrus Cleaners: Too acidic, these will permanently damage travertine.
- Bleach or Ammonia-Based Cleaners: These are too harsh and will discolor and etch.
- Abrasive Cleaners or Scrubbing Pads: Avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the surface, stick to soft cloths or mops.
Using gentle, stone safe cleaning solutions, you will prolong the life of your travertine tiles and keep them looking just as good as new!
Mop travertine tiles
Regular maintenance of travertine floor tiles includes mopping, which is a great part of it, but on its own it may not be enough if you need to deeply clean travertine tiles or to keep the stone’s finish looking good in the long term. To get the best out of mopping on travertine floors, you need to use some of the right techniques, tools and cleaning solutions. Here are some expert tips for getting the best results:
- Use the Right Mop: Instead, use a microfiber or soft cotton mop to avoid scratching the stone. Don’t use sponge mops, as they push dirt around rather than lifting it off the surface.
- Work with a pH-Neutral Cleaner: Never use a cleaner that isn’t designed for natural stone to avoid etching or dulling. Follow instructions, adding too much cleaner can leave a residue and not enough might not work.
- Mop in Sections: Rinse the mop frequently to prevent dirt from spreading around, work in small sections. Do not use fresh water if you do not need to, to avoid streaks or film on the floor.
- Dry the Floor After Mopping: Travertine is porous and will stain if it absorbs excess moisture. Immediately after mopping, dry the floor with a clean, soft towel or microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and streaks.
- Remove Tough Spots Gently: To remove stubborn stains, use a soft brush and a little stone cleaner to scrub gently without damaging the surface. Don’t use harsh scrubbing pads that can scratch the stone.
- Maintain Sealing: Mopping will be more effective if your travertine floors are sealed, because dirt and spills are less likely to penetrate the stone. To protect your stone as much as possible, be sure to reapply a stone sealant every year or as needed.
Scrubbing Travertine Tiles
To make scrubbing travertine tiles more effective, consider focusing on technique, timing, and preparation:
- Pre-Soak for Easier Cleaning: Dampen the area with a warm, diluted stone safe cleaner before you clean travertine tiles or just water for about 5–10 minutes before scrubbing. It loosens dirt and grime, so scrubbing is less intensive and more effective without heavy pressure.
- Use a Two-Step Process: First, lightly scrub with the brush to lift surface dirt and rinse with water. Second, follow with a second round of light scrubbing to remove any remaining grime. Scrubbing once is not as effective as this approach at getting dirt.
- Target Grout Lines Separately: Often, the grout lines hold more dirt than the tiles themselves. Scrub grout lines first with a slightly firmer brush, and use the brush on grout lines, rather than on tiles, so you don’t spread dirt from cleaner tiles to dirtier tiles as you work across the floor.
- Scrub in Circular Motions: Circular motions will help you cover more surface area and lift dirt more effectively than straight strokes. It’s also kinder to the stone, spreading the pressure more evenly across the tile.
- Use Minimal Cleaner, but Reapply as Needed: Rather than pouring cleaner over the entire surface, use a little cleaner on each area you scrub. It keeps each scrubbing motion from being too diluted, so you can scrub with cleaner solution directly on tough spots.
- Follow with a Soft Rinse Mop: Scrub the floor, then go over it with a damp, soft microfiber mop to pick up any particles the brush may have left behind. It helps to make sure that no grime remains and leaves you with a cleaner, streak free finish.
These strategies make scrubbing as powerful as possible without being too rough on the stone, so you get a deeper clean without having to work harder.
Removing oil marks from travertine
To remove oil marks from travertine tiles you’ll need to use a method that will lift oil from the porous surface of the stone. Here are some targeted approaches to clean travertine tiles and remove oil marks:
- Use a Poultice Paste: Baking soda and water poultice can draw oil out of the stone. Make a thick paste by mixing baking soda with a little bit of water. Let it sit over the oil stain with plastic wrap for 24–48 hours, then apply it over the oil stain. Gently scrape off the paste after that and rinse the area. The baking soda can absorb the oil well with this method.
- Specialized Stone Poultice Powder: If the baking soda paste doesn’t do the trick, you can also use a commercial stone poultice powder, made specifically for removing oil stains. Mix and apply the paste according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and leave it for the recommended time. The products are formulated to penetrate deeper and lift more stubborn stains.
- Acetone Soak (for Tough Stains): If the oil mark is more severe, you can apply a little acetone on a soft cloth and dab it over the stain. Leave it for a few minutes (about 5–10 minutes) and then apply a baking soda poultice as described above. The baking soda will draw the oil out of the tile and acetone will break it down.
- Replace the Poultice as Needed: The poultice may have to be applied several times for deeply embedded oil stains. Gradually, each application can lift a bit more of the stain, lifting the stain without harsh scrubbing, restoring the tile’s appearance.
- Seal the Area After Treatment: After the stain is gone, reseal the area to reapply the protective layer and prevent future oil absorption. Sealing helps reduce the chance of future staining because oil stains tend to penetrate unsealed travertine more easily.
How to remove grout stains on travertine tiles?
Removing grout stains from travertine tiles can be challenging, but there are a few targeted methods to help clean travertine tiles of grout stains without damaging the stone:
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide Sparingly: To remove grout stains on light colored travertine, try blotting with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on a soft cloth. If you use darker tiles, be careful with hydrogen peroxide, it may lighten the color. Rinse thoroughly with water after application to prevent any residue.
- Apply a pH-Neutral Cleaner with a Soft Brush: Apply a pH neutral cleaner to the grout stain and gently, in a circular motion, brush the stain with a soft bristle brush. Pay attention to the stained grout area itself, without applying too much pressure on the surrounding tile.
- Try a Pencil Eraser for Surface Stains: New pencil erasers can sometimes lift grout stains from the tile’s surface without damaging the stone. Rub the eraser gently on the stained spot and then wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove any debris from the eraser.
- Create a Cornstarch and Water Paste: To treat grout stain, mix a little cornstarch with a little water to make a thick paste and apply it to the grout stain. Allow it to sit for about 15–20 minutes so that it can soak up the stain. After it dries, wipe it away gently with a soft cloth and rinse the area with water. Especially useful for minor surface stains, this approach.
- Use Steam Cleaning Carefully: If you have a handheld steam cleaner, use it to get at the grout lines, where stains are most likely to collect. Don’t get too hot or too hot for too long, as extreme heat can weaken stone sealants. Wipe away any moisture after that to prevent water spots.
How often should I clean travertine tiles?
To clean travertine tiles, you need to sweep or vacuum them at the very least once a week to get rid of dust and dirt. If you want deeper cleaning, mop with a pH neutral cleaner every 1–2 weeks. Also, use some penetrating sealer annually in order to keep them looking and protected and a more thorough clean every few months.
