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How to Clean a Travertine Shower?

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Travertine is an attractive type of limestone known for its looks and durability. Naturally, some people choose it as a shower finish. Riddled with small, natural holes, travertine is beautiful, but prone to collecting soap scum. By performing routine cleaning and protecting your travertine, you can keep your shower looking great.

Remove hard water stains with fine steel wool. Be sure to choose 0000-grade steel wool, as it is very fine and shouldn’t scratch the tiles. Lightly buff away hard water stains with the steel wool. Rinse the shower with warm water. Turn the shower on and rinse your newly cleaned travertine tiles with warm water.

If there are any spots you can’t reach with the showerhead, fill your bucket up with clean water and rinse the tiles clean manually. Dry your travertine with a clean towel. Use a towel to wipe down your travertine to remove any traces of stone cleaner. It may be helpful to open a window to dry the area more quickly.

Get your travertine sealed once a year. Sealing your travertine makes the stone more resistant to damage from soap, grit and hard water. Have a stone professional seal your travertine once a year to keep it looking and functioning great.

Allow the sealer to set for 24 hours. Let the sealer fully absorb and dry into your marble before trying to use your shower again. You should seal your marble bathtub once every six months. Let everyone in your house know that using the shower before the sealer dries could damage your marble.

Preparing Your Bathroom Before Paint a Bathroom

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Choose a mildew-resistant, satin or semi-gloss paint. Bathroom paint faces a lot of wear and tear, so go with a water-repellent, easy-to-maintain product. Since they’re more durable and easier to clean than matte options, glossier finishes are ideal. The only downside is they highlight imperfections, so it’s important to prep surfaces before you paint.

As for color, look for a shade that complements the hallway or room next to the bathroom. Lighter shades are usually good choices for smaller spaces. Paint manufacturer websites often allow you to upload a photo of your room to play with wall colors. It’s also wise to purchase samples and test shades in the actual space. Keep in mind glossier finishes reflect more light, which makes colors appear brighter.

Remove wall hangings, bath products, and electrical covers. Clear out any wall art, shelves, window treatments, and towel racks that could get in the way of your paint job. Unscrew electrical outlet and wall switch covers, then replace the screws so you don’t misplace them. If you’re also painting a sink vanity or cabinet, remove the knobs and other hardware.

Take out the toilet if you can’t fit a roller or paint tool behind it. If there’s a little space between the toilet and the wall, you can simply purchase a thin sponge stick that’s specially designed to paint and clean behind a toilet. Find one online or at a home improvement store. Otherwise, turn off the water supply, flush the toilet to drain it, then begin removing it. If the tank is removable, loosen the nuts that secure its mounting bolts to the bowl. If the bowl still blocks the wall, unscrew the floor bolts at the base, then lift the bowl out of place.

Clean the walls and trim so your paint job lasts longer. Paint can’t adhere to surfaces covered with dust, grime, or mildew, so clean the walls with a mix of 1 part bleach and 3 parts warm water. Soak a sponge or mildly abrasive pad in the solution, wring it out, and scrub all surfaces you plan on painting. It might seem like a lot of work, but you wouldn’t want your new paint to start peeling in only a matter of months.

Alternatively, dilute concentrated TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner with water as directed. TSP is a stronger cleaner, so you won’t have to scrub as hard. Wear rubber gloves when using TSP or a bleach solution. If your bathroom has a window, open it; if not, turn on the exhaust fan. Patch any holes or cracks with filler or a drywall compound. Shine a bright light over the walls and trim to spot areas that need patching. Use a putty knife to patch problem areas, then scrape off excess compound to create a smooth surface.