Travertine is a type of limestone that forms around mineral springs and caves. The stone formations may present themselves as thick slabs in neutral, muted colors, or as stalagmites and stalactites when formed in caves.
The stone is often quarried for its color, porous composition, and hardness, which may vary depending on the concentration of minerals present, the temperature of its ambient surroundings, and the soil profile. Today, travertine continues to be a popular stone used in many homes and commercial spaces due to its stunning appearance and durability.
Benefits of Travertine
Aesthetics
One of the reasons why travertine is so desirable as a material is because of the way it resembles the patterns found in marble, with rust and red often mimicking the popular veining patterns. Travertine also comes in a variety of colors and patterns that give prospective buyers the option to choose one that suits their homes or establishments. This is why travertine can be seen as a more cost-effective alternative to marble.
Durability
Despite its relative sponginess compared to other stones like granite and slate, travertine is a durable material that can be used as the support structure for light construction, or to show off the natural patterns of the stone when used as flooring, walls, and countertops. This stone offers similar durability to limestone while having more aesthetic appeal in its patterns.
Low Maintenance
Travertine is water-resistant, and mold-resistant, and is a cost-effective option when compared to other natural stones. The stone is easy to maintain and does not require hefty cleaning tools or specialized cleaning formulas to remove grime and dirt. Travertine is also non-slip, as it has a good frictional resistance against water.
The stone also stays cool to the touch even under the heat of the sun and offers moisture resistance that prevents the growth of mold, making it a great choice for moisture-frequent areas like swimming pools, decks, patios, and other outdoor areas.
How to Clean Travertine Floors
The best way to keep travertine floors in the best condition for as long as possible is to clean them regularly. Here’s how you can do this!
Regular Cleaning
Regular mopping is essential for keeping your travertine floors in good condition, but it’s best to save the cleaning solution for urgent situations. For daily cleanings, all you need to do is use a dry mop or a cloth to prevent any dust or dirt from settling into the stone.
Stain and Spill Removal
Step 1: Prepare the Floor
For solid items, use a plastic knife or any similar item to gently scrape away some of the debris before getting a damp cloth and blotting around the area. For liquid spills, get a clean cloth and dab this on the affected area to soak up the liquid. Starting with either of these steps will make the stain removal process much easier down the line.
Step 2: Choose Your Cleaning Solution
Commercial Stone Cleaner
When cleaning travertine flooring and other surfaces, it’s best to stick to mild cleansers that can be gentle towards natural stone. For this, you can use a commercial stone cleaner with a neutral pH level.
Soapy Water
There’s no need to worry if you don’t have natural stone cleaner lying around because you can just as easily whip up your solution. In a bucket of warm water, you can just add a few drops of mild liquid dishwashing soap to create a soapy water solution.
Baking Soda
To create a handy baking soda paste, just add a few drops of water to some baking soda until you’ve achieved the desired consistency. Make sure to add in the water sparingly to prevent the solution from becoming too runny. You can use this solution to get rid of grout lines as well.
Step 3: Begin Cleaning
Commercial Stone Cleaner
When dealing with commercial cleaners, always be sure to take the time and read the manufacturer’s label printed at the back as this will tell you the recommended way of using the product. Simply follow the instructions to clean your floors.
Soapy Water
With a clean microfiber cloth or a soft dust mop, soak this in your chosen solution before wringing out any excess liquid. Begin wiping the entire area, rinsing, and wringing out your cloth or mop as often as is needed until the stain has been lifted.
Baking Soda
After successfully mixing up your baking soda paste, apply a thick layer over the stained area and leave this for 15 minutes. When the time has passed, start rubbing this into the area to ensure that no traces of the stain remain.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
When you’ve finished wiping down the entire space, get a clean cloth and dampen this with water. After squeezing out as much excess liquid as you can, use this to wipe over everything one last time to remove any traces of the cleaner. Finally, get another clean cloth to soak up any remaining moisture left behind.
Other Cleaning Tips
Avoid Using Harsh Cleaners and Chemicals
When choosing a cleaning solution for your travertine floors, it’s best to stay away from anything formulated with harsh chemicals and acids as these can destroy the beautiful appearance of the material and potentially compromise its quality and performance.
Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Tools
Natural stone needs to be properly looked after to maintain it for much longer, and that means keeping away any rough or abrasive cleaning tools. As much as you might be tempted to simply get a scouring pad and scrub away at the stain, this will not only worsen the stain by pushing it more deeply into the stone, but it can also leave scratches and discoloration on your floors and surfaces.
The same can be said for using hard-bristled brooms, which can leave scratches and marks. It’s also a good idea to avoid the vacuum cleaner as this can cause a wide range of issues including cracks, chips, scratches, and more.
When in Doubt, Let Luce Handle It
There are a lot of things that go into the maintenance of natural stone floors like travertine, so it might be best to leave it to the professionals. When you’re unsure about something or simply don’t have the time or energy to spare, Luce is here to help you out with its impressive selection of affordable and customizable household and commercial cleaning services and packages.
Send Luce a message today to schedule an appointment!
