If you’re the proud owner of a fresh set of travertine tiles, then you know just how satisfying it is to have a shining surface laid out before you. But just like any sort of natural stone or porcelain tile, travertine can quickly become dirty if not cared for properly.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to clean this material and restore it to a showroom condition with the right know-how, and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this blog. From how to clean travertine tiles, to maintaining them properly for future use, you’ll have your floor looking brand-new in no time.
How to tell if your travertine tiles need cleaning
Like most types of floor tile, it tends to be fairly obvious when travertine cleaning is required, though it might occur much sooner than you expect with this type of flooring material due to its natural porosity.
But, generally speaking, if at any point you notice that your tiles appear to have stubborn dirt, stains, or even mould setting in, it’s time to get the mop and start wiping your tiles down with warm water and a travertine cleaner.
Travertine naturally features small gaps in the structure of the stone (image credit: rawpixel)
How to clean travertine tiles
If you’re concerned about complex travertine tile cleaning instructions, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s very easy to clean this sort of flooring material. In fact, all you really need is some warm water, a mop, and a bucket! At this point it is important to note that you should never use bleach on any natural stone. Instead, you must use specially formulated cleaning products.
But for some truly in-depth travertine cleaning, we recommend following the instructions listed out below:
1. First, start by cleaning your floor with a brush and Hoover in order to clear any loose dirt and grime from the area. This is an absolutely essential step and one you must not skip. Failing to do so will result in your cleaning mix forming a paste which will likely just spread your dirt further.
2. Taking a travertine-friendly cleaning product, follow the instructions on its packaging to mix it with warm water in your mop bucket.
3. With your mop, carefully wipe down your floor’s entirety and then leave it for 5-10 minutes so the cleaner can get to work. For persistent areas of dirt, use a brush to gently scrub the dirt away.
4. Finally, once your cleaner has done its work, take a bucket of clean water and rinse your floor, drying it by hand or a clean mop to avoid any water staining your floor while it dries.
And that’s it, cleaning travertine really is that simple! But if you’re keen for more information, discover our guide to cleaning natural stone tiles.
How often should you clean travertine tiles?
Due to its honeycomb structure, travertine is liable to get dirty far quicker than other types of floor tile, meaning it will need properly cleaning at least once a year. However, if you find that your tiles and grout lines get particularly dirty very quickly, then you will likely need to clean your tiles more often.
How to maintain travertine tiles
While you now have an idea of how to easily clean travertine tiles, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t share tips with you on how to maintain your travertine so that it looks great all year round, while also requiring less cleaning overall.
Well, for starters, make sure that your travertine has been properly sealed. All natural stone is porous in nature, making it essential to seal them to prevent stains and mould from setting in. So, if you notice persistent marks in certain spots on your floor, it may be time to reseal your tiles to keep stains out.
Besides resealing, we also suggest mopping and hoovering your tiles regularly to reduce the build-up of dirt, preferably every one or two weeks. On top of this, be sure to clean up any spills as soon as possible so they don’t get a chance to dry.
Finally, avoid using any abrasive cleaning tools or harsh cleaning products on your floors, as these will damage both your tiles and their sealant, making it easier for dirt and stains to settle.
And there you have it: you should now have all the information you need to clean your travertine tiles. Of course, if you have more questions on tiling in general, you can get in touch with our team directly, or browse the rest of our tile maintenance advice guides.
