A tumbled finish is much more porous though and a tumbled travertine backsplash will most often take a sealer.
How to seal tumbled travertine floor.
Any sealer that has not been absorbed by the stone in 5 minutes should be removed using an absorbent paper or micro fiber towel.
Apply a color enhancing sealer to get the wet look.
Sealing the travertine tiles.
Avoid vinegar or citrus.
Allow at least thirty minutes of drying time between applications if two or more coats are applied.
You can apply the travertine tile sealer with a cotton towel and just wipe it on the travertine tile floor.
Before applying the sealer make sure the tile is cleaned and is free of mildew dirt and debris.
Use a sponge or other small clean object for travertine countertops and similar smaller surfaces.
If you can stay off your flooring for longer this is ideal.
Use a liberal amount of sealer and ensure that the travertine tile floor is fully saturated with the sealer.
These can quickly cause damage and dullness and can even age the floors.
The acid will dull the surface.
Now decide whether the sealer you will use will be matte or glossy in appearance.
Mop up excess sealer and buff the flooring with a microfiber or cotton cloth.
Open the doors and windows.
Allow the sealer to dry.
A sealer can be applied to travertine using a sponge brush paint pad cotton towel or sprayer.
Use a mop to clean a travertine floor with the cleaning solution.
Make a point of using a cleaner that is recommended by the makers of your respective sealer lest you find yourself in the middle of a potentially hazardous chemical reaction.
After buffing one area of the floor you can move on and begin sealing the next portion of your travertine tiles.
Chemicals such as bleach and ammonia should be kept far away from travertine floors.
A gallon of sealer will typically cover approximately 600 sq ft of travertine tile and grout.
Travertine is a natural and beautiful tile but it will take some care to keep it that way.
The best way to mop a travertine floor is to use warm plain water applied with a mop or sponge that is wrung dry so that the surface gets just barely damp.
You could then also apply an impregnating sealer over the enhancer but likely not necessary on a kitchen backsplash.
Allow about 48 hours for the sealer to dry.
Don t use harsh chemicals.
Start by using a vacuum cleaner mini vac or broom and dustpan to get rid of any dust.
Do not saturate travertine tiles with water as it can penetrate down past sealant or into grout lines causing discoloration degradation and the growth of mold and mildew.
Ensure that the space you are working on is well ventilated.
Next use a sponge mop to go over the floor with a commercial travertine cleaner.
Select a sealer for your travertine which is suitable for travertine according to your preference.
Vinegar should never be used on travertine floors and neither should citrus fruits such as lemons.
Check every year on the walls and shower floor to see if the areas need to be re sealed by applying a few water droplets on the surface.