Cleaning a Travertine Shower

We have a Travertine Shower and even though we cleaned it, the stones started to turn black and green in places. We had the shower resurfaced (it still doesn't look great) and were told not to use any cleaners on it and that is what ruined it. We have been only using dish washing soap now and it does not get it clean. Where do I buy a good daily/weekly cleaner? I think the shower floor tiles do have water behind them but just spent money redoing so it will have to do for now. Would you recommend MB-9 and where do I buy it? Any other suggestions? THANK YOU!

 

Dear Kim:

 

“ I think the shower floor tiles do have water behind them ”

 

You betcha!

Amazing, isn't it? You hit the nail on the head and the professionals that came over to re-surface your stall couldn't see that!! Not only that: they told you that you caused the problem with the cleaning products you used, but they couldn't tell you what to use instead: just don't clean your stall and let it get filthy!!

I'm wondering whom they got their training from?!...

Also, and needless to say, using dish soap to clean a shower stall is simply, pardon the expression, pathetic. I say so because I assume that the tile dealer or the installer told you to do that – which makes them pathetic!

At any rate, after throwing your money away to refinish a stall that could not be refinished, you would like to know if a product like MB-9 could solve your problem.

Unfortunately the answer is a big NO. L  

Despite the fact that MB-9 is the best of its kind (actually, the only one of its kind) nothing in a bottle could solve your problem. The real problem is the water behind and under your tiles and it is not by trying to uselessly work on the surface of the stone that you're going anywhere; it is just wishful thinking.

I am afraid that your situation is too far gone.

Why do I say so?

Because it takes a lot – and I mean a whole LOT – of water behind and under the tiles and for a very long, long, long time to make travertine turn the color you're describing; but if you want to attempt anything this side of using a jack-hammer, this is what you could try to do:

Have all the grout lines completely opened, up to 4' from the floor. (This, of course, hoping that they did not install the tiles butt-joint, because if they did, that's the end of it). After that you will gently push sheets of Bounty paper towel (no, I don't hold any stock of the company that makes Bounty!... It is just the best for this purpose) in between the tiles and, possibly, even under them as much as possible. For a long time you will not be able to use that stall.

How long?

Until the sheets of paper towel are completely dry. Once that is done, you will poultice the discolored tiles with MB-9 until they become nice and clean. (You may have to do it more than once.) Once that is accomplished, you will re-grout the tiles with almond color caulking. Let it cure for a couple of days and use your shower stall again.

Now, hoping that it is not too late, tell me something: was it so difficult to come up with a solution like that?!...

 

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Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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