K.B. asks from Charlotte, NC on May 29, 2008
Travertine Shower Floors
I have a travertine tile master shower floor that was installed last summer and the soap scum has already started to build up and make it look dull. Does anyone have advice for removing soap scum from travertine? In case you are not familiar with the material, it is a natural stone that looks like a mix between marble and limestone and it is very porous. It was grouted and sealed to cover the pits.
I currently use a spray product that is meant for natural surfaces and I don't think that I can use the traditional methods such as tilex or scrubbing bubbles. It needs to be safe for natural stone.
Thanks!
So What Happened?™
Thanks everyone! I called the store where I purchased the travertine and they put me in touch with the manufacturer of the cleaning product I have been using. The rep that I spoke with said that it sounded like it was a mineral deposits rather than regular soap scum. They sell an expensive product to clean that but he said I could save some money and try water and vinegar, first. I will then need to re-seal the tile and we have been using it for under a year. I love my master shower, but I would probably not recommend using natural stone in a shower that is used twice a day for anyone else who is thinking of doing renovations. Too much work!
More Answers
K.L. answers from Louisville on May 31, 2008
I have a natural tumbled tile shower floor and i had to go to Home Depot and buy a tile and grout cleaner. I also had to scrub to get the soap scum off. Our builder also told us to re-seal the tile after about 6 mo. Good Luck.
M.C. answers from Greensboro on May 30, 2008
I have tumbled marble in my shower and use 'Charlie Soap'. It is a wonderful cleaner, very mild but takes care of the tough stuff. You can buy it at Whole Foods. It is actually a laundry detergent, but can be used for any type of cleaning. My husband also uses it to clean his 4 wheeler when it is covered in mud. It is a 'do all' cleaner. Try it with a little scrubbing power and you will be surprised. Also re-seal your tile after cleaning several times a year.
L.Y. answers from Charlotte on May 30, 2008
I'm not familiar with travertine tile. I have ceramic? tile on my shower walls. It is not a flat, smooth surface like the old tile used to be. Anyway, I use Dawn dishwashing liquid on a magic eraser on the tile and glass and a small brush for grout. I do it while I'm in the shower once a week. It takes minutes, works great and is fairly inexpensive and mild. Plus no harsh chemical smell. This advice came from a professional window washer. Just an idea you can try.
K.B. answers from Raleigh on May 30, 2008
Good Morning K.,
I tried looking it up on line and found a company that sells Travertine tile. Here is an e-mail address from that site so you can write them for more information : ____@____.com and here is a site that gives you do's and don'ts: http://www.countertopspecialty.com/cleaning-travertine.html
I hope these can help you.
K.
M.T. answers from Nashville on May 30, 2008
They have something at Lowes and Home Depot that is made especially for cleaning that. I don't have that but a friend does and she buys something from there to clean hers.
T.C. answers from Nashville on May 30, 2008
I would call the company that put the flooring in and ask them.
L.L. answers from Austin on May 29, 2008
Hi K.,
I was really curious to see what travertine really was, I love home improvement,,LOL Love to do my own too. Anyways I typed it into my search engine and this came up:
SHOWER STALLS
* DO Clean daily using a scrubbing tool like the one used at gas stations to clean your windshield in conjunction with a specialty product for stone, such as *MB STONE CARE MB-5 Marble, Granite & More Spray Cleaner, full strength.
* DO treat your shower walls with *MB STONE CARE MB-13 Polished Stone Dressing For extra protection and shine.
* DO use a specialty product like *MB STONE CARE MB-3 Soap Film Remover when an accumulation of soap film appears (waxy look and feeling), especially in the lower part of your stall. It also removes possible hard water mineral deposits, without damaging the stone surface.
* DO use a specialty product like *MB STONE CARE MB-9 Mildew Stain Remover if you have an occasional growth of mildew in your grout lines. It will not affect the delicate surface of polished marble and other delicate stones.
Then I typed in MB STONE CARE MB-3 Soap Film Remover and found it online. A quart of it costs 12.95. You might want to check this out. I've never had any stone floors period, much less in a shower, so just thought I'd send on the info I found online. Good Luck with what ever you find or do!
D.B. answers from Memphis on May 29, 2008
I don't know this material but is there a way for you to contact the manufacturer or the installer and ask them? They often have tips on how to keep it clean.
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