How often should you seal travertine?

Annually for most travertine, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

How do you remove stains from travertine?

Make a poultice of baking soda and water. Apply, cover with plastic, let sit 24 hours, then wipe.

pH-neutral stone cleaner. Mild dish soap and water also works for routine cleaning.

Yes, professional polishing restores the shine and removes etching. Hire a stone restoration specialist.

Household

A clean travertine makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Here's the most effective method, plus the mistakes most people make.

1
Sweep or vacuum first
Remove all loose dirt and debris. Travertine is porous and can scratch easily.
2
Mix pH-neutral cleaner
Use a stone-specific cleaner with warm water. Never use acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon) on travertine.
3
Wipe with soft cloth
Wipe the surface with a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid abrasive scrubbers.
4
Rinse with clean water
Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove any cleaner residue.
5
Seal annually
Apply travertine sealer once a year to protect the porous stone from stains and etching.

TIPAlways use pH-neutral cleaners on travertine -- acidic cleaners etch and damage the stone.
TIPSeal travertine annually to maintain stain resistance.
TIPWipe up spills immediately -- travertine is porous and absorbs liquids quickly.

Never. Vinegar is acidic and etches travertine, causing permanent dull spots.