Natural Stone Care and Restoration

khecker · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

We have travertine floors in most of our home. They have become dirty looking as dirt has settled into the pores. I haven't found the best way to clean them without harming them and causing small holes over time. What products can be used on travertine and how should they be cleaned and sealed?

Peter Sams · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Tthe first and most important rule to properly maintain a polished stone floor is to keep it as clean as possible all the time. Vacuum it at least once a day and mop it at least once a week. On top of that, there are a few topical finishes (really few and far between, as a matter of fact) that could be applied on a polished stone floor, but they would require weekly maintenance with the help of a residential floor buffer. travertine -- like all calcite-based stones -- is very sensitive to pH active cleaning agents, therefore you do need specialty products.

Travertine contains lots of holes that were formed from sulphur bubbles eating away at the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or cements that usually do not polish very well which often causes polished travertine to look inconsistent in appearance. It requires more maintenance when the holes are not filled (called cross cut). Classified as a limestone and a marble, some Travertines can be polished and others cannot.

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“The pebble in the brook secretly thinks itself a precious natural stone.”