When redesigning and remodeling your home interior, it is vital to choose durable materials that are classy, elegant, natural, and beautiful. Natural stones, like travertine, are a perfect choice. Whether you choose a natural stone for your commercial area or home decor, designers worldwide would advise you to put your money on the natural stone if you want to have a homely atmosphere and add more value to your home.
Travertine, the luxurious stone of emperors and kings, is the second most popular natural stone for home décor. Travertine is a part of ancient civilizations. You can see it in ancient monuments and as an element in modern architecture, showing the range of applicability for this magnificent stone. The name comes from the Italian word “travertino,” derived from the Latin “tiburtinus,” meaning “of Tibur,” now known as Tivoli, a region near Rome, Italy.
How to Clean Travertine
When used in kitchens, travertine is known for its intolerance to contact with acidic environments, meaning that cleaning products and foods that have acidic reactions shouldn’t be used on raw travertine. That’s why many homeowners prefer polished travertine for their interiors. Raw travertine has a highly porous structure, so it must be filled with cement mortar.
Do the initial cleaning with slightly alkaline agents. You can also risk your travertine finish when using acidic detergents carefully to remove cement residue. After such treatment, the surface must be washed repeatedly with clean water to wash away whatever you have left of the harmful detergents. Only then can you start waxing or curing – for a good polish of the surface.
Protect your travertine surface
To protect travertine from stains, you can use stain remover. You should know that if the stone is well protected, it shouldn’t get stains that penetrate the surface deeply. So cleaning would be much easier. Another way to clean travertine is to run a wet sponge or towel with a bit of soapy water over the stain.
The maintenance of the travertine floor starts with its installation. The recommendation is to use a multi-cleaner that removes stains of all kinds. That’s how you can maintain your travertine perfectly. An important point, the waterproofing of the travertine floor allows the formation of an invisible protective layer, allowing the stone to breathe while facilitating maintenance.
Daily Maintenance
As for the daily maintenance of the travertine floor, a little water and liquid Marseille soap are enough. If you make a stain, you should clean it right away. If your travertine floor gets extremely dirty, use a sponge impregnated with a hot water solution, and soda crystals can run on the surface.
Whether raw or polished, the travertine floor plays the role of a decorative element that, in addition to bringing nobility indoors, creates an atmosphere of homeliness and coziness. That’s also one of the reasons why this stone turns out to be the perfect solution for modern bathroom decor. Combined with a beautiful mosaic in warm tones, travertine brings a touch of luxury and sophistication.
How does travertine get damaged?
Although luxurious, natural, and easy to maintain, travertine can get damaged, regardless of what finish you choose. As mentioned above, the stone doesn’t react well to acidic substances like vinegar, wine, and certain detergents. You can see white spots due to acidic conditions. That happens primarily in the kitchens and bathrooms. The stone gets exposed to other types of staining when the dirt penetrates the porous texture of the stone and leaves a mark on it. Travertine could also get scratched o mold if it gets constantly exposed to moisture.
Repair
The good news is that you can restore your travertine surface and remove any scratches, mold, or stains from it with a low-grid industrial diamond. Apply the honing powder to the stone after removing the damaged layer of the surface with the diamond pad. You can use a higher-number pad after that to create a beautiful polish for the stone. To repair the stone accurately, you will need professionals who can do the honing for you. Usually, travertine cleaning needs a grinding machine, which only trained professionals can use.
Professional honing will create an even beautiful surface, completely free of any scratches, stains, or mold, and your floor, wall, or kitchen will be as good as new.
Quick Travertine Cleaning and Care
The stone might need to be resealed if it’s not very hard, but most of the time, travertine won’t require this at all. If you do need to seal the stone after cleaning it or after a repair, use an impregnating wax product. You should also consider using a sealer on the stone every few years, depending on how often it’s used and how porous it is.
Although travertine is a very durable natural stone, it’s still important to take care of it properly to ensure that it looks great for years to come. By following the tips above, you can keep your travertine looking beautiful. You can find high-quality travertine at Saturnia Travertini. To learn more about the maintenance and repair of this beautiful natural stone keep reading.
In conclusion
Keep in mind that travertine doesn’t tolerate acidic substances. The stone gets white stains on its surface. It is one of the most common damages of this beautiful, sophisticated stone. Travertine can also be scratched or get inlaid dirt if it doesn’t get cleaned properly. The stone is easy to maintain and clean, but you have to do it right after staining. Otherwise, the stains can penetrate and become inlaid, which would make it harder to get rid of without more invasive procedures. The good news: With an industrial pad, you can restore your travertine surface, and it will look as good as new.
