Best ways to clean and care for your travertine tile floors

Travertine tiles are one of the most popular tiles picked for homes in Arizona. The beauty and versatility of the stone makes for a truly beautiful statement. You can use travertine on virtually surface floors, countertops, showers, outdoor surfaces, and so much more. 

Travertine makes a statement it is also reasonably durable and when maintained properly, regular maintenance is relatively easy. Here are a few tips that our professionals here at AriStone Cleaning and Restoration recommend.

HAVINGPROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDED

Overtime regular wear and tear will take effect on your travertine tiles. This is100% normal for any type of flooring. Having a professional come in and clean, seal, and do some restoration will help prolong the life and integrity of your travertine floors. We highly suggest not trying to hone or polish your travertine on your own. These are processes that can, if not done correctly, ruin your travertine tiles to the point of no comeback. We are highly trained and know the ins and outs of travertine. We can also assess a stone flooring and let you know precisely the shine we will be able to achieve or not achieve.  

There are many different types of travertine out there that can be used in many different areas. You have tumbled, polished, honed, pavers, and so much more. Unfortunately, not all of these grades of travertine can shine to the highest of polishes or get the same clarity as the other. As professionals, we can advise you in the right direction, and we never tell you we can provide a sheen we know we cannot get out of your stone. We recommend having your travertine tiles cleaned and sealed by a professional every 12-18 months. Our cleaning process is extremely thorough and will provide the best possible clean. We use high-pressure systems to blast the dirt and grime out and off of the tiles and out of the grout lines. When it comes to honing and polishing, we use specific pads, powders, and machines to ensure your travertine floors' safety and the highest quality of work. Call us for more information any time at 480-352-2987.

CLEANINGBETWEEN PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS

Now, we know you can't have a professional come clean every week. That would become expensive!! In between professional cleanings, we recommend two options:

1. Use a steam mop. Buy a good quality steam mop with the microfiber heads and use that on even a daily basis. By using the high heat steam, you are not only cleaning you are also sanitizing.
2. As for a cleaner, we recommend a low PH cleaner. Once we are completed work for you, we suggest Crystal Clean by Stone Pro. You can order this product on Amazon and it comes premixed or in the concentrate for you. If you buy it premixed, make sure you have a push microfiber head mop. 

We tell all our customers to avoid using the typical household products we all love because they are leaving a film on your floors, attracting dirt and dust which over time can cause staining. Also, do not use acidic cleaners like vinegar or bleach. These types of products can cause damage to the travertine, especially if you have softer travertine.

DO NOTUSE SCRUBBING PADS

It is inevitable stains occur. The first thing we all think of is using scrubbing pads and chemicals to remove the stain. The problem with these materials on travertine is they can scratch or etch the tiles, which cannot be removed without honing them out.

Don’t worry if you get a stain, and you can get it out on your own. By creating a small paste using baking soda and water, you can remove stains. All you have to do is apply the paste to the stone, let it sit for roughly, 24 hours and remove it with water. You can do this multiple times if needed, but make sure you test this in an inconspicuous spot. If you do not know the softness of your stone, you don't want to try this in the middle and risk it dulling your shine or etching a very noticeable spot.

HAVEYOUR STONE SEALED

We cannot stress having your travertine tiles and grout sealed regularly. The sealer we apply for you is a hybrid solvent-based penetrating sealer that absorbs into the stone and grout, clogs the pores, and acts as a barrier. This sealer will help prevent staining and discoloration. When you have us apply the sealer for you, it comes with a 2-year warranty backed by us. As long as you follow the proper cleaning and maintenance plan, your sealer should last 2-4years, and for the first two years, we will touch it up for FREE if it is starting to break down anywhere.

Do not use topical sealers or waxes to protect your travertine. 

These are really bad for travertine. Over time they will start to peel or wilt and they will begin to look terrible. The only way to remove these types of sealers is to strip them off and that is a long, complex, and expensive project. So, do yourself a favor and make sure your professional cleaner does not use these types of sealers ever.

These are just a few tips and tricks that we wanted to inform you all of! There are so many more things out there that you can do to help keep your travertine tile floors and travertine surfaces looking their best the longest. Call us for more information at 480-352-2987, or you can always check out our website at www.travertinecleaningaz.com

‍