Travertine shower tiles are known for luxurious and elegant aesthetics that enhance the beauty of bathroom floors and showers. These natural stones or sedimentary rocks form in groundwater. Travertine shower tiles are available in various colors, patterns, styles, and textures. These shower stones have excellent heat and UV resistance.
However, it could be difficult to clean a travertine shower. Because they have a spongy nature that absorbs moisture frequently, travertine tiles are prone to stain, mild, and water damage.
That’s why if you don’t clean or care for these tiles, your travertine shower tiles lose their aesthetic presence quickly.
This post is going to give you a detailed step-by-step method on How to clean travertine shower. We will also see the best travertine shower cleaner that you can use to remove mold, water damage, and another clog that messes up your bathroom tiles.
How do you remove mold & mildew from travertine showers?
Growth of mold & mildew is very common in travertine shower tiles. Extreme moisture, humidity, and organic matter are the reasons a black mold can accumulate over the surface.
These stones absorb moisture and create an environment to grow fungus. You can avoid these challenges by regularly cleaning the travertine shower.
What can you use to clean your travertine shower?
- Spray Bottle
- Warm water
- Borax Powder
- Baking Soda
- Stiff Brush
What should not be used to clean your travertine shower?
Travertine is a delicate shower stone that needs to be treated carefully. Too much scrubbing or using harsh material can damage the quality of your tiles. So avoiding the following substances on your decorated shower walls is crucial.
- Scouring pads
- Rough brushes
- Colored or dyed cleaning products
- high-pressure or steam cleaners
- oil-based or wax-based cleaners
- scrub brushes, scrubbing pads, or tools
There are various processes available to clean travertine shower tiles. However, the following steps are the best way to eliminate fungus.
- First, take a spray bottle and add the following substances, one spoon of baking soda, four spoons of borax powder, and eight cups of water.
- Properly shake and mix the solution.
- Spray the mixture directly on the affected areas of the tiles.
- Let the solution sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Take a stiff brush and rub the area in a circular motion.
- If the stain or fungus is not removed, spray again and let it for 30 minutes.
- Again scrub the area with proper care.
- Rinse the tiles using clean water and dry them with a towel.
How do you remove hard water stains from a travertine shower?
Travertine shower tiles are spongy and hold moisture and hard water minerals inside. If you do not take special care of these stones, they immediately develop stains and residues. So below are the effective treatments for this occasion.
What to use?
- Spray Bottle
- Warm water
- Stiff Brush
- E-cloth mop
- Microfiber Towel
- Hydrogen peroxide
What not to use?
Hard water stains may seem challenging to remove from your travertine shower tiles. Many users search for chemical or harsh abrasives to remove residue. But it can be dangerous for your shower stones. So avoid using the following substances to remove stains from travertine shower tiles.
- Vinegar, lemon juice
- Any acidic cleaner products
- Bleach or ammonia
Here’s how to remove hard water stain from travertine shower tiles:
- Take a spray bottle and add 50/50 Hydrogen peroxide & water
- Properly shake and mix the solution
- Now spray the mixture on stained areas
- Let it sit for 15-30 minutes
- Comes back and rinse the area using warm water
- Take a clean towel and dry the tiles
Remember, excessive use of Hydrogen peroxide can cause discoloration problems on travertine shower tiles. So it’s recommended to do a patch test before using the substance.
How do you clean travertine stone in the shower?
Using chemical or harsh abrasives can be risky for travertine tiles. So it’s better to clean your stone walls naturally using soft materials. You can follow the method regularly to keep travertine showers maintained.
What to use?
- Spray Bottle
- Warm water
- Stiff Brush
- E-cloth mop
- Microfiber Towel
- Broom
- Liquid Soap
- Detergent
What not to use?
- Colored or dyed cleaning products
- high-pressure or steam cleaners
- oil-based or wax-based cleaners
- scrub brushes, scrubbing pads, or tools
- Borax Powder
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Bicarbonate of soda
Cleaning process
Timely cleaning is important to keep travertine decorative and shining for a long time. It’s better to wipe down dust from the walls after every use. It helps to prevent any buildup of mold or stains on the tiles. However, cleaning your travertine tiles at least once every month using low-pH detergent and warm water is recommended. Now follow the below steps to clean your stone walls naturally.
- Sweep and mop your walls and floors daily to avoid dust or debris buildup.
- Mop daily using warm water and any non-chemical cleaning liquid. Remove the excess water using a cloth mop.
- Always change the mop after every 30-square-foot cleaning area.
- Always dry the surface after every mopping.
- Add warm water and liquid soap or detergent and prepare a solution
- Add it to a spray bottle and mix well
- Spray the solution on travertine tiles and clean the dust occasionally.
What cleaners are safe for travertine?
Travertine is a natural stone that is known for its spongy nature. You can’t use harsh abrasives or leave them moist. Otherwise, it can absorb the humidity and leftover residue and develop mold, stain, and other damages. So it’s crucial to understand what cleaners are safe for travertine and what’s not. To understand more, dropdown below.
Safe cleaners:
- pH-neutral cleaners
- Stone-approved Cleaners
- Polished Stone Cleaners
- Warm water
- Borax Powder
- Baking Soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Liquid Soap
- Detergent
These are the types of cleansing you can safely use on travertine. Still, doing a patch test before finalizing the product for cleaning is recommended.
Non-safe cleaners:
- Vinegar
- lemon juice
- Citrus-based cleaners
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- strong alkaline substances
- Oil-based or wax-based substances
The following cleaners contain harsh compounds that react with travertine stones and damage their properties. So avoid using these products on your stone walls and floors.
Frequently Asked Questions on Travertine Shower Tiles
What is the best thing to clean travertine tile?
Ph Neutral Cleaner is one of the best options for cleaning travertine tiles. These cleaners contain a small quality of stone soap or linseed oil that won’t harm the tile’s quality and also remove stains or mildew from the space.
Can you use Dawn soap on travertine?
Yes, you can use dawn soap to clean travertine tiles. First, mix one tablespoon of mild dawn soap with a gallon of water. Now spray the solution on affected areas and clean it with a dry cloth after 15 minutes.
Can scrubbing bubbles be used on travertine?
Scrubbing bubbles contain acidic compounds that can harm your travertine tiles. So it’s recommended not to use these substances on these stones.
Can you use vinegar on the travertine shower?
General floor cleaners or vinegar are also restricted against the cleaning of travertine stones. The following substances, also filled with acidic content, damage the quality of your tiles.
What is a homemade cleaner for travertine?
One tablespoon of dish soap and 3 liters of warm water is a simple homemade cleaner for travertine tiles. You can use this solution without worrying about residue or stains on the walls.
Can you use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on travertine?
Using Mr clean magic eraser or other harsh substances on your travertine shower tiles is not recommended. Acidic compounds in these products can damage the stones’ characteristics.
Conclusion
So above is a detailed guide about How to clean a travertine shower without damaging it. Remember, travertine is a natural stone known for its decorative and aesthetic presence.
Additionally, they are very sensitive to moisture and tend to absorb water molecules effectively. As a result, they are prone to easily develop stains, residue, and mold.
Due to their spongy nature, you can’t use chemicals or harsh abrasives on them. Instead, you should apply mild detergent, soft cleaning soap, travertine cleaners, and other non-harming substances.
Cleaning these stones is also easy, but you must take care on time. So follow our above recommendations and keep your travertine shower damage free for years.
