Cleaning Travertine

by April Reinhardt
(last updated July 20, 2015)

A natural stone closely related to limestone, travertine is a porous material commonly used for flooring, countertops, showers, tubs, and exterior paving, such as flagstone. While travertine is durable, it is highly susceptible to scratching, stains, heat, and acidity. Therefore, care should be taken when cleaning it. Follow these guidelines when cleaning travertine:

  • After installation, your travertine should be sealed. The technicians who install your travertine will use specially formulated sealants to strengthen its surface and guard against scratches and heat related damage.
  • To prohibit surface etching, never use acid-based cleaners on travertine. Scouring pads, vinegar, and abrasive cleaners will also damage the surface of travertine. Instead, use the manufacturer's recommended cleaning agent.
  • Use drink coasters on travertine and apply felt to the bottom of what-nots before placing them on travertine.
  • Clean your travertine with a soft, damp rag or towel.
  • Dust and gently vacuum away dirt and debris. Dirt and grime will damage the stone's surface.
  • Since travertine is an alkaline stone, acid-based products will damage it. Wipe up spills immediately, especially those containing acid, like tomato and orange juice. Stains will occur immediately upon contact, but you can stop further damage by cleaning up spills immediately.

Take care to use hot pads or trivets when placing hot items onto travertine, as heat will damage the surface of the stone. While you can use warm water and a mild detergent to clean travertine, never use oils containing citrus, such as lemon Pledge or orange oil, on travertine. The acidity of the lemon or orange will etch the stone. Instead, simply use plain water and a soft cloth to clean the stone. If your travertine develops severe stains or etching, consult with a professional stone restorer to restore your travertine to its original condition.

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

MORE FROM APRIL

Treating First-degree Burns

Exercise good judgment and common sense when treating first-degree burns at home. Know the varying stages of first-degree ...

Discover More

Check Your Smoke Detectors

Never remove the battery from a smoke detector without replacing it immediately. Some fail-safe smoke detectors are ...

Discover More

Building Your Own Greenhouse

Building your own greenhouse can be as easy or as complicated as you make it. The key to building your own greenhouse is ...

Discover More

Remove Stubborn Stains Quickly Get everything looking clean again: Walls, floors, baseboards, counters, blinds, appliances, and more. Micro-scrubbers easily reach into surface grooves, lifting dirt away. This low-cost 8-pack is great for stubborn stains and touble areas. Check out Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 8-Pack today!

More Cleaning Tips

Tile and Grout Cleaning

Do you have tile in your home? Cleaning the tile and grout regularly can really improve their overall appearance.

Discover More

Cleaning and Sealing Grout

Grout seems to be something that only a tile-lover could appreciate. Keep yours clean with the following tips.

Discover More

Ceramic Tile Cleaning

Do you have ceramic tile in your home but aren't sure how to go about cleaning it? Taking care of this tile can be easy ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.