Cleaning Travertine
Tips for Cleaning Travertine
If you have travertine in your home you probably need information about cleaning travertine. This is a stone that is often used for the interior and exterior decoration of homes. This type of stone is beautiful, if it is properly cared for. If you don’t know how to take care of travertine it can become unsightly and damaged; this is something you definitely want to avoid.
For cleaning travertine correctly one of the most important things to do is to always make sure that it is sealed after it is installed. Although you won’t entirely protect the stone from damage by sealing it, what this does do is provide some protection, as well as easier upkeep.
Another important element of cleaning travertine is to ensure that you keep as much dirt and dust off of the stones as possible. In cases where the travertine is used as flooring it is important to sweep and mop on a regular basis. When mopping, use warm water. When cleaning the dust from other travertine surfaces you simply need to use a clean cloth that is slightly wet.
If you do use a cleaner for cleaning travertine, you should only use the type of cleaner that is made specifically for stone. If you use any type of acidic cleaner on this stone it will cause damage that is irreversible. You will also want to avoid cleaning with vinegar or scouring pads; these will cause scratching in the travertine.
When something is spilled on the stone you will need to wipe up the mess as soon as possible. This is especially important if you spill liquids such as orange juice, due to the citric acid that these juices contain. With liquids like orange juice you run the risk of staining and scratching of the stone. This will likely happen as soon as the stone and liquid make contact. If your travertine is polished, the stains will be a lot more noticeable, but cleaning the spill as soon as possible will limit the damage that it causes.
Aside from cleaning travertine to keep it beautiful, it is also a good idea to take some precautionary measures, such as putting protection between objects that you place on the stone. If you have a travertine floor, use a felt lining on all objects that you place on the ground. For other surfaces, coasters should be used for drinks, or any other type of object that is placed on it.
Maintaining and cleaning travertine isn’t difficult, but it is necessary to do it correctly. Never use cleaners that are not meant for stone, if you don’t have any of these types of cleaners, use only warm water. There is no rule to how often you need to clean this stone, but there will be some deciding factors, such as the type of travertine you have, as well as where it is located.
If cleaning your travertine does not restore it to its previous beauty, you could contact a stone company to find out about refinishing and polishing it. This is sometimes necessary if the travertine has been neglected too long.
You can get travertine in all types of varieties to fit almost any decorating need. This stone can be expensive or very budget friendly; depending on the type you buy. No matter what variety you purchase, always make sure that when you are cleaning travertine that you are doing it correctly.