As travertine tiles are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms where they are exposed to high amounts of moisture, it will occasionally become necessary to clean mildew off the stone. You need to be very careful when doing this, as many of the cleaners on the market are actually known to harm your travertine. Use the following instructions to ensure that your tiles are mildew free:
Step 1: Fill a bucket with warm water, dip a soft-bristled brush (or a toothbrush for narrow areas) in and use it to vigorously scrub at the mildew. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of perseverance and clean water to remove travertine stains.
Step 2: If this fails, make a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Make sure that you test the solution on a hidden area of tile first to ensure that it doesn’t discolour the travertine in any way. Use the soft-bristled brush again.
Step 3: If the stain remains, visit your stone supplier or showroom and purchase a special cleaner that is suitable for use on travertine. Look for powdered cleaners, as these tend to pose the less risk of damage to the stone.
Step 4: Once you have completely removed mildew growth from your travertine tiles, it is important that you regularly re-seal your stone (around once a year) to ensure that it is protected from this problem in the future.
You should avoid letting mildew sit and fester on your travertine tiles for long periods of time, as this will allow it to further ingrain itself into the stone and make it more difficult to remove. It is always easier to remove fresher stains, and it ensures that your bathroom or kitchen is always looking its best.