DIY Travertine Care & Maintenance
- 1). Sweep or vacuum travertine floors every few days to remove loose dirt and grit. Place rugs and floor mats at entrances of the home where travertine floors are installed to capture some of the dirt and sand that can scratch the floor.
- 2). Clean travertine tiles weekly with stone soap. Refer to the label on the stone soap for application instructions, as this will vary among products. Use a microfiber mop to clean travertine floors; use a microfiber rag on travertine showers, countertops and backsplashes. Go over the floor or tile with a dry mop or dry rag to remove any streaks.
- 3). Avoid using acidic cleaning products such as vinegar and lemon juice on travertine tiles. Wipe up spills immediately, especially ones like fruit juice and wine, to prevent etching on the surface.
- 4). Seal your travertine tiles every two to three years. Wipe an impregnating tile sealer on the tiles with a sponge. Follow the sealer manufacturer's instructions for specific directions for applying the sealer.
Test your travertine tile to see if it needs to be resealed by placing a couple of drops of water onto the tile. If the water beads up, the sealer is still intact. If the water seeps into the tile, it's time to reseal. - 5). Use coasters on travertine tile countertops and place perfumes and other toiletries on a tray if you place them on a travertine counter. Place hot pads or trivets down when setting hot items on travertine counters. This will prevent certain liquids from staining or etching the travertine tile.
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