Travertine floor tiles are a beautiful part of any home, but it’s important to do travertine care and maintenance properly or it can be easily ruined. With costs high for this type of tile, it’s crucial to make sure that you are caring for this type of flooring the right way. Using the wrong kind of cleaners or the wrong method could lead to discoloration, chipping, and cracking.
If you have travertine floor tiles, it’s important to avoid these things when cleaning -
1. Vacuum cleaning.
For years, many people have used their vacuum cleaners on tile and laminate flooring instead of a broom. Travertine tiles, however, are susceptible to etching; they lose their shine and become dulled as very fine scratches are put on the tiles. Vacuum cleaners have harsh bristles that move very rapidly, causing these fine scratches on the tile. Instead of vacuuming, use a soft, dry mop on a regular basis.
2. Letting spills sit for a while.
A common misconception with hard flooring is that spills do not have to be wiped up immediately since there is nothing for the liquid to soak into. In fact, travertine is extremely porous; it has a lot of small holes that absorb liquid very easily. This means that spills can be absorbed into the tile, staining the floor.
3. Bleach.
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that because travertine is often times white, bleach is a good way to keep it germ-free and remove stains. The truth is that bleach can be absorbed into the tile and strip the color out of it. This will essentially remove all of the natural variation that makes this type of flooring so beautiful. Instead of using bleach, consider a mop that uses steam, or use a different type of cleaner.
4. Skipping professional cleaning and sealing.
It’s important to keep up with the maintenance on these floors, and that means getting them professionally sealed and cleaned. Fortunately, they typically only need to be sealed once every ten years. The sealant provides a barrier between any foreign substances and the tile. Having the tiles professionally cleaned will remove dirt and other germs that cannot be removed with normal household cleaning.
Sourced from: http://www.sunstonerestoration.com
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