subject: The Dos And Donts Of Maintaining Travertine Tiles [print this page] What to do: What to do:
1. Seal your travertine tiles. When you have your tiles installed, dont forget to seal them by wiping them on and off. This is especially true if youre using the stone as a countertop; to keep its shine and polished look.
2. Clean spills immediately; dont let them dry on the travertine tile surface. Coffee and acidic spills can greatly damage these stones, which is why its important to blot them up as soon as possible.
3. Use a soft towel or sponge when wiping the surface. Furthermore, use travertine-friendly cleaning agents and hot water. Once you finished cleaning it with the wet sponge, buff it up with the cotton towel. Remember not to use soap regularly when cleaning it since it can easily dull the surface.
4. Consider a tray for your toiletries. Toiletries contain chemicals that can damage the tiles when left directly on the surface. To retain the polished or matted look of your tiles, place your toiletries on a tray. Not only will this protect your countertop but provide a beautiful accessory to the room.
5. Remember to dust mop the flooring regularly. Dont let the dust accumulate, but immediately sweep them off. Furthermore, opt for a mop instead of the vacuum cleaner.
What not to do:
1. Sit on the countertop. Standing or sitting on a countertop made with such tiles can greatly damage it. While its certainly durable, its not perfect and prone to cracks, especially since the tiles are not backed with plywood.
2. Allow vinegar, lemon or other acidic spills from drying on the surface. Once again, its important to wipe off acidic spills to avoid irreparable damage to the tiles surface.
3. Opt for generic cleansing solutions. Most of the time, these cleaning agents have chemicals that can harm the finish or the overall constitution of the tiles. Instead of using these, opt for specialized cleaning solutions. The price you pay for these cleaners will be cheaper than the cost of travertine tile restoration.
