Cleaning dirt from inside unfilled/tumbled travertine? archived

ctrzaska

Dec 28, 2013 at 9:31am

Any ideas as to the best way to clean rough (non-polished/honed) travertine? Stopped sealing it a couple of years ago-- no point, really, as it's in the kitchen and we wanted a weathered/worn look, and I don't think it did much anyway-- but we need a below-the-surface clean. Dirt has collected in the natural pockmarked surface and no mopping will lift it out of the tiny holes. Is there a preferred solution that will lift it out? Maybe use a steam cleaner? Wet vac after some sort of hand-brushing? Are there people who do this? Any help would be appreciated.

mfpark

Dec 28, 2013 at 10:17am

Good luck, Consonant Man. It is damned near impossible. I used to maintain open cell travertine floors at 9 West 57th Street and I never did find a good way to do it. I tried steam cleaning with only marginal results. I had porters use Q-tips, again only with marginal results. I even tried filling in the open cells but never could find the right akimi-stone mix to match the more weathered stone around it.

Wish I could give you a good answer, and perhaps someone out there has one, but I will wish you the best of luck.

new207040

Dec 28, 2013 at 10:56am

vinegar is my go to cleaning agent so maybe a strong concentration with hot water, then use a scrub brush on a stick thingy then wet vac

ctrzaska

Dec 28, 2013 at 11:08am

Thanks. I think this may be a real bear. Not sure about the vinegar as it may be too acidic for the surface, or ineffective if watered down. Trick is to find some solvent that will lift the dirt out of the tiny holes (or a brush fine and firm enough to get in them), but I fear that may be nigh impossible.

new207040

Dec 28, 2013 at 11:31am

I use this tool on the floor

ctrzaska

Dec 28, 2013 at 11:33am

Hmmm. Will hit HD with the pic and see what I find. Thanks.

joy

Dec 28, 2013 at 1:30pm

don't use vinegar. Limestone and vinegar don't mix.

You need a ph neutral cleaner. Anything acidic will 'eat' the stone.

My guess is a soft bristled brush and water to start?

joy

Dec 28, 2013 at 1:32pm

Maybe call these people for a local reco?

http://www.travertinepowerclean.com/

ctrzaska

Dec 28, 2013 at 3:03pm

Thanks. May call them for the hell of it and see.

HD wasn't successful, other than for me to be told that the task is near impossible. Sigh.

Borrowed a steam mop cleaner thingy from goldstec, so will give that a shot.

teneciah

Dec 28, 2013 at 3:37pm

I would give a carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment a shot. My machine has a rotating brush on the attachment, and it works miracles on the tile near our back door (when I actually use it....usually the tile just looks terrible, even if I mop it daily.)

ctrzaska

Dec 29, 2013 at 4:38pm

Water, fine plastic brush (wire etched a little), elbow grease, wet vac, then steam cleaner. Stone by stone. Works somewhat. Major PIA. Thought about renting a carpet cleaner but HD rental guys said it wouldn't get past the surface. Sigh.

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