Travertine is a beautiful, natural-looking stone that makes a great building material both indoors and outdoors. Many contractors and home renovators turn to travertine to revamp outdoor living spaces such as patios, pools and walkways as well as indoor spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom. Travertine stones are desirable because they are both attractive and long-lasting, meaning you'll never need to renovate the same area twice. Many famous stone structures were made using travertine stones, dating all the way back to Ancient Rome. That's a testament to the true staying power of travertine!
Travertine tiles and pavers are also incredibly easy to care for. Here's a simple overview of how to clean your tiles, including stain removal and preventing permanent stains in the future.
How to care for your travertine tiles or pavers
Travertine tile is extremely easy to care for, requiring only a mop for routine maintenance. Use a dry mop every day or every other day to keep the floor free from dirt and other debris. You can use a wet mop periodically to clean the tiles with the addition of a premium stone cleaner. These types of cleaners can be found at your local hardware store for relatively little expense.
Occasionally you may experience spills on your travertine. Cranberry juice, wine, coffee and other dark liquids have the potential to create stains. Should a spill like this occur, wipe the mess up as soon as possible to limit the possibility of deep-set stains. Use your stone cleaner to clean the area and remove the stain.
In the event the stain does not wash away with regular stone cleaner, you can use a poultice. Poultices can be purchased from hardware stores or made at home. Apply the poultice and wait the recommended amount of time (usually between 15 and 60 minutes) before wiping up the poultice material. Your stain should be removed.
Making your own poultice at home
If you'd prefer not to purchase a poultice, you can make one at home using stone cleaner and baking soda. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, offers absorbent properties that will help the mixture draw the stain from the surface of your tiles or pavers.
Combine equal parts water and baking soda with just a splash of your regular cleaning agent. Mix until pasty and scrub into the travertine tile or paver you'd like to clean. Then, cover the surface area of the stain with a thick coating of the mix and allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove a small area to see if the stain has been lifted. If it is not fully removed, re-cover the area and wait for up to 30 more minutes.
Preventing permanent staining
To protect your travertine after installation or to avoid future staining, use a sealant. You can purchase a good sealant from your hardware store. Follow the instructions exactly to ensure your travertine is fully protected. If you have any questions, you can contact the knowledgeable professionals at Travertine Mart for further recommendations on products and applications.
