How to Clean Travertine Tile

If you've just had them fitted, you might be wondering how to clean travertine tile. In order to learn how to clean travertine tile properly, you need to understand what travertine is. Travertine is a form of limestone which can be white, tan or cream-coloured. It is used for paving patios and garden paths as well as for tiling purposes and is characterised by its pitted surface. Some people fill the holes with grout although it's probably best to leave them unfilled.

As travertine tiles stain easily, you should apply a sealant to avoid them picking up any unsightly marks and reapply it at least once in a year. There's no need to buy anything expensive for this purpose, any clear epoxy resin will do just fine. This will help to maintain the look of your tiles and give them a glossy finish. More importantly, a tile surface that has been sealed will not need cleaning as often.

Now that you know how to stop them becoming marked or stained, let's look at how to clean travertine tile.

You should polish travertine tiles once in a month to keep the smooth glossy shine intact. Use a floor polish specifically designed for use on stone surfaces. Also make sure that you wipe up any liquid spills on the travertine tiles as soon as you can to avoid damage to the floor surface. If you leave a liquid spill to stand on the tiles it will soon be absorbed and can cause irreparable damage.

Don't use bathroom cleaners or gout cleaners on travertine floor tiles as the often contain acidic ingredients. Abrasive cleaners or cleaning pads should also be avoided when cleaning travertine tiles. Travertine tiles can become dull if you spill acidic substances like coffee, wine or juices on them so for added protection you could also put down some rugs or non slip mats.

Now that you know how to clean travertine tile in the correct manner, you can look forward to enjoying this versatile material and the attractive glow it will add to your home for many years to come.