How to Make Travertine Shine | Learn In Few Steps With Expert

Travertine floors represent the best compliment to every home and require regular maintenance. Periodic removal of dirt and debris with a microfiber mop prevents damage and scratching to the surface of your floors, and in turn, you’ll have a shiny floor. That is why today; we let you know How to make travertine shine.

It is known that mopping your floors at least once a week with a travertine-friendly cleaner can help remove dirt and buildup. It would help if you also sealed your travertine floors at least once a year. The variety of colors can be very wide.

How to Make Travertine Shine

Although travertine is long-lasting, stone can have flaws. Acidic ingredients such as vinegar, juice, wine, or coffee can diminish the aftertaste. This is critical to understand while cleaning a travertine backsplash. 

If you’re using vinegar to clean the travertines, don’t use the same solution to clean the travertine backsplash. If the travertine becomes etched due to a spilled drink or a splash of juice, etching removal products are available online, or you may rub the markings away with a buffer.

Mop the floor

It’s critical to start by carefully scrubbing the tiles clean. If you leave signs of dirt or debris on the travertine tile before polishing it, the filth will become lodged in the stone, according to DoItYourself.com, a home repair website. If you skimp on this step, your floors may not shine as brightly as you would want.

Wipe clean the tiles completely with a wet paper towel or sponge. Once they’re gleaming, you may begin the polishing procedure.

Sand the tiles down

The travertine tile should next be smoothed using sandpaper. While sanding the surface, use broad, circular strokes. Though doing it by hand involves more elbow grease, DoItYourself recommends not using a power sander. These gadgets, while convenient, have the potential to harm travertine tiles.

Before you begin polishing, the source recommends noting any broken tiles to avoid buffing them and perhaps inflicting permanent harm.

Buff the floor

Use a buffing machine with a diamond polishing pad of 100 grit. Fill the buffer’s well with water, and you’re ready to polish.

When using this equipment, utilize long, steady strokes. You must be cautious not to stay in any place for too long, or you may leave a trace on the floor.

After you’ve finished sanding the whole surface, go over it again with a 200-grit pad. Buff the surface with 400- and 800-grit rounds until you’re happy with its shine.

Clean up the mess.

There may be dust and debris leftover from your buffing rounds, so once you’ve finished polishing, conclude the process by washing off the surface. The Chronicle recommends that you do this with clean water. Then, vacuum any remaining water using a wet vac.

It is critical to allow the floor to dry completely. You can then seal the surface with tile sealant to prevent stains. Your bathroom floor will appear brand new with this.

Don’t forget to lighten it

Clean travertine stone floors are stunning to look at. After cleaning, the floors should be lightly sanded. So, if you want to remove the top layer of grit and dirt off the stone, use big circular movements. This is the time to repair any broken tiles and any etching or stains. It may have occurred on any of the travertine tiles.

It’s now time to polish the travertine to a lovely sheen. For big tiled areas, a buffing machine will make quick work of the task. It would help if you used long, deliberate strokes to cover the area. If you linger over one spot for too long, you may create an uneven surface or otherwise harm the travertine. To get a high shine, sand down to 800-grit rounds on your buffer.

How To Shine Travertine Floor

Use a cleaner formulated for travertine.

• Travertine may become dull and damaged if a strong cleaning product is used. Consider purchasing a floor cleaning product designed for regular use travertine.
• The label should clearly state whether the cleaner is specifically formulated for travertine.
• Opt for a cleaner with a neutral pH of 7 or less or a travertine polishing cream. This can also be useful for polishing honed travertine.
• Also, a mild detergent can be used to clean travertine floors 3 to 4 times a year.
• Do not use dish soap more than 3 to 4 times a year to avoid soap scum.
• You can also use travertine polishing powder. These types of products rejuvenate travertine.

Avoid products with harsh chemicals.

• It is advisable never to use harsh cleaners, such as bleach or ammonia, on travertine floors. These harsh chemicals are capable of damaging and dulling the structure of your travertine floors, causing them to age prematurely.
• Do not use vinegar or citrus products to clean travertine floors. Learn cleaning sticky tile floors.
• The use of cleaning agents containing acids on travertine floors should be avoided, as they can dull and damage the stone’s surface. 
• Do not clean floors with products containing vinegar, lemon, orange, or other citrus extracts.

Travertine polishing pads to remove loose dust

• Natural stone floors require special care.
• Before mopping your travertine floor, you’ll want to be sure to remove any loose dirt or debris from the floor’s surface.
• Try a travertine polishing pad to remove loose dirt.
• You may need to use a 100-grit diamond polishing pad.

Fill a bucket with warm water and cleaner.

• Carefully read the label instructions on the travertine-safe floor cleaner.
• Add the cleaner to a bucket of warm water according to the label instructions. If using mild dish soap, add a splash of soap to the bucket. It is important not to ruin the travertine floor tile.

Squeeze a mop into the cleaning solution

Place the mop in the bucket with the toilet and cleaning solution. Then lift the mop out of the bucket and wring it out. Be sure to wring as much of the detergent out of the mop as possible.

Scrubbing the floor with the cleaning formula

• Once you have squeezed the mop, make a series of movements from left to right to clean the floor.
• Start on one side of the floor and systematically wipe your way to the other side.
• Rinse the mop with the cleaning solution frequently, wringing the mop out well after rinsing.
• If mopping a large area, prepare a fresh bucket of cleaning solution after cleaning half of the floor area.

Mop the floor or buffer with water

After scrubbing the floor with cleaning formula, it should be polished with a little water.

Pour the cleaning mixture down the sewer and fill the bucket with clean, freshwater. Mop the floor with clean water. Fill the bucket halfway with fresh water and continue mopping.

Dry the floor with a soft cloth

• After mopping the floors with clean water, you will want to dry them.
• This will prevent streaks and stains from forming on the floor as the water dries. Use a soft, non-abrasive cotton or microfiber cloth to dry the floors completely.
• Apply a sealant of your choice that will protect the travertine surface and keep the floor looking polished for a long time. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, you have to apply the sealant and let it dry completely. This is why it is important to know what type of surface you have in your home.
• Once your polishing project is complete, all that’s left to do is arrange your furniture and get back to enjoying the look of your flooring.

How to Maintain Travertine Floor

Dust mopping regularly

An important part of caring for your travertine floor involves periodic cleaning of the floor and debris.

Try using a microfiber mop on your travertine floors several times a week.

Clean up spills immediately

You can prolong travertine floors’ lives and avoid unsightly stains by cleaning up spills as soon as they occur.

This is especially necessary if anything very acidic is poured, such as tomato sauce, carbonated liquids, or alcohol. The acid in these products could damage the travertine.

Place rugs in high traffic areas

Travertine flooring can scratch easily. Protect high-traffic areas by placing rugs, mats, and guides on the floor. This will prevent dirt and debris from scraping the floor surface.

Seal travertine floors annually

It would help if you sealed travertine floors regularly. Sealing floors helps prevent damage to the travertine surface. Contact the manufacturer or installer of your travertine floors to find a sealer that works for you. This is the last step in getting your travertine floor to shine.

How does the Travertine Get Damaged?

Wear and tear or neglect can take its toll on the travertine, regardless of the finish.

Here are the types of damage that travertine can suffer:

Etching: Occurs when an acidic substance penetrates the stone and corrodes it. In other words, acids from some substances such as wine, vinegar, coffee, or acidic cleaners can corrode the stone in the affected area.

Staining: Staining occurs when a substance penetrates the stone and leaves a darker mark

Scratches: When sharp or heavy objects are moved over a travertine surface, there is a considerable risk of scratching. These objects can even dent the travertine.

Mold: These fungi are common if travertine is exposed to constant moisture.

Dirt accumulation: This is especially possible with pitted travertine. Small cracks and pits in the surface accumulate dirt even if maintenance is done properly.

Mineral deposits: These white, flaky-looking stains are most common where tap water is hard water (i.e., contains certain minerals, such as magnesium and calcium). They form when soap residue and these minerals combine.

Fortunately, all of these types of damage can be reversed with professional restoration.

Basic Travertine Care

• Travertine needs a consistent care routine. The following tips are very effective in keeping travertine in top condition.
• If you clean the floor, sweep it with a soft broom or dry mop. You can also vacuum to remove sand and dust.
• Do not use hard brooms, as they can scratch the travertine surface. Do not use a full-size canister vacuum. Use a handheld one.
• Dry scrubbing your travertine can be a good idea when performing daily maintenance.
• On any travertine surface, a good quality neutral cleaner should be used.
• Make sure the agent you use is safe for natural stone.
• Avoid using commercially available cleaning products containing acidic substances, which could damage the stone.
• Warm water, mild cleaners, and a microfiber cloth or mop are sufficient to maintain the travertine. 
• Once you have cleaned the surface with this, you can remove the moisture with a dry microfiber cloth or mop. Mopping once a week will suffice.
• If there is a spill, it should be cleaned up immediately. This will prevent stains or etch marks.
• Protect your floors with rugs and mats and get rubber furniture protectors. Place individual placemats, coasters, trays, and trivets on kitchen surfaces. Use sink trays on bathroom countertops and cover shelves with mats.
• You can deep clean your floors or other surfaces twice a year with an automatic scrubber or steam cleaner.
• Clean your travertine shower after each use. Keep the bathroom ventilated to prevent moisture.
• Make sure your tiles and grout are in top condition. Check for cracks, discoloration, or chipping every six months. If you find any problems, call in the experts.
• Your travertine walls will hold up longer if you seal the stone.

How to Make Travertine Shine: FAQs

How do you shine dull travertine?

• Remove excess material. Before you can polish a travertine floor, you must begin by thoroughly cleaning out the accumulated wax and dirt.
• Steam cleans the travertine.
• Fill cracks, chips, and holes.
• Plastic glue sheeting around the edges
• Polish the travertine.
• Tidy and seal.

Can you polish honed travertine?

This travertine also requires polishing to give it a shiny appearance.

Can you wax travertine?

Wax could coat the stone and cause it to discolor over time. Vacuum the travertine tiles to remove loose dirt. Clean the travertine tiles with a mild floor cleaner to remove dirt and debris.

Conclusion

Travertine tiles are a popular choice for interior and exterior applications, especially in well-used spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom. The type of finish can be of great importance in these cases.

A well-polished floor draws attention to the intricate color variations on the surface, making the floors a focal point of the room design. Although labor-intensive, the process of polishing travertine floors is not particularly difficult. Instead of replacing worn-looking floors, restore them to their original shine by completing this few-step process.