An up close shot of a travertine tile with natural holes.

How to Clean Travertine Tiles and Pavers

 

How to clean Travertine Tiles and Pavers

Travertine is a form of stone found at the mineral springs or hot springs. This stone is often found near a hot spring or even in a limestone cave formed by the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate. If the same thing happens with ambient temperature, water is known as tufa. This is one of the favourite stones for architects due to its reasonable cost and wide usage area. This is mainly used in the bathroom, kitchen, outdoors, swimming pools, and various colours, styles, and soft textures

ivory travertine tiles and pavers melbourne
See an example of Ivory Travertine used as stairs to Front Entry

These tiles are for fancy use and give a luxury effect. Travertine is resistant to rain, snow, ice, and wind damage, but still, some things can negatively affect the tiles’ appearance. So cleaning them is a good and easy way. Let’s learn about some of those cleaning ways and tips.

 

Things to keep in mind

Travertine tiles around a pool area with an outdoor couch.
See an example of Rustica Travertine used in outdoor areas
  • While moving the outdoor furniture, make sure that they don’t fall and break or crack the tiles and not make them the extra cost for repairing.
  • The gaps between the tiles can be a pathway to grasses and weeds. So make sure to keep them out of the tiles and pavers and keep the tiles in place.
  • In order to dust the stones, sweeping and dusting the stone is enough. If the stones are still dusty after dusting, you can use gentle cleaning agents made for stones.
  • The stones can be washed with warm water and sponge or mop or with any non-abrasive cloth to prevent or minimize the scratches and wear patterns.
  • The tiles installed outdoors can be washed with water at least once in a year to remove debris and excess dirt.
  • Although the tiles are water, snow, and wind-resistant, there is still a chance to erode them. So to protect them, sealants should be used, which is best to be applied by the professionals as it needs to be applied after removing the wax layer on the stones.
  • Please don’t use the general-purpose cleaner as they contain bleach and may corrode the tiles and damage them permanently.
  • Cleaners containing vinegar, lemon, or other acids must be avoided as it is a sedimentary rock made up of calcium carbonate.
  • Since travertine is limestone, it does not need to be cleaned daily unless there is any mess. Also, you can clean it once a week to remove the dirt. You can do it by a soft sponge or a soft-bristled brush.
  • After many trials, if you manage to get a stain on the stone, then don’t brush or scrub it; rather, use an intense cleaner and let it dissolve the dirt so that it can be wiped easily.
  • Do not use chemicals to wash the stones as they can corrode or react with the calcium carbonate.
  • Do not use any vacuum cleaner, which is worn out. The wheels or the nozzle might scratch them.
  • Sand, dirt, grit will make scratches on the stone, so the use of rug or mats can minimize the scratches

When to clean the travertine tiles?

The travertine tiles outside and inside your house should be cleaned at regular intervals to prevent any water stagnation whatsoever. A dry broom can be used to sweep off the dirt that settles itself on the tiles. You should arrange for mopping at least once a week to make sure your travertine tiles remain high on glam throughout their life. In seasons like autumn, when dry leaves shed off, remember to sweep them off to keep up your tiles’ elegant look.

Also, you should consult experts to get the Travertine Tiles sealed and protected. Sealing adds a few more years of life to your valuable investment in this member of the limestone family. Make sure you stick to suitable quality sealers for the beauty statement of your house.

 

Conclusion

Sedimentary rocks themselves are the stones that are considered as natural decorations. These are beautifully carved and made naturally over a long time. This stone brings a feeling of elegance and luxury to the people. Along with such luxury comes enormous responsibility, the responsibility of cleaning and taking good care of them from scratching or breaking them. You can’t go wrong with travertine tiles and pavers. Check out the huge range of travertine products here.

 


 

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Summary