[Dave_Lee]

I'll explain why I ask this question after afew replies from those with experience AND knowledge of Tile & Grout cleaning.
When cleaning Travertine flooring what cleaner do use, as in regards to Ph.
Forget neutral for now, we are talking about a real grubby floor, so what do you go for, Alkaline or Acidic and why.
Dave.

[derek west]

alkaline dave, i personally use a stripper to good effect on manky travs.. not sure what PH it is but its high.

[Jim_77]

Depends on the finish of the travertine, i.e. how polished or not, but would always stay on the alkaline for obvious reasons.

Like Derek I often use a stripper, but at a weaker dilution than if I was stripping sealer.  I quite often add an oxidiser to my alkaline floor cleaning solutions, which seems to help get the grout up a bit better as well as the flooring material itself.

I find a polyprop brush on the rotary best for manky grout, but sometimes if the joints are too recessed it needs a good old fashioned scrub with a stiff brush

[elliott cleaning]

I always go the safe side and use alkaline.  Most soiling is acidic..

As a whole this stone is quite dense so it is possible to use acidic cleaners but would recommend you test an area first. Occasionally you'll get one that is quite porous.

I will use acidic on the grout if it doesn't come up 100% first time

[garybristow]

i use the viper range of chems for my tile and grout from alltech,really great results prob a bit dear but great stuff from america i believe
GaryBristowclean

[Jamie Pearson]

Was given a sample of this stuff http://www.drytreat.com/Products/Cleaning/HANAFINN-Oxy-Klenza a few weeks ago. It is awesome stuff. Used as either a cleaning solution or poultice.

[Jamie Pearson]

Honing powder is the secret weapon for travertine cleaning.

[Dave_Lee]

The reason I asked the question is that I was advised by Prochems to use their QMT Stoneclean.
I was a bit surprised at this as it is Ph2 and all my understanding has been don't touch Natural Stone with Acidic dtergents , and to use an Alkaline product instead, which I have used with great success.
After E mailing them yesterday for clarification, they say to use a neutral cleaner, however if the Travertine is really bad, their training guys recomend QMT Stoneclean as a one off treatment to slightly etch the surface prior to sealing.
It is the first time I have ever heard of that technique and one I for one think I will avoid.
Imagine if it had been a novice phoning for advice on their products, I bet he would had carried more than a fair bit of etching.
Dave.

[Jamie Pearson]

I have used QMT on marble before as it has an almost bleaching effect on lighter colours. It can remove any polish. This can be replaced by powders or pads. My preference now is to use alkaline detergent with honing powder sprinkled into the mix.

[Thackley Cleaning Services]

using a conventional extraction machine, whats the best way to get all of the water / dirt off the floor after the scrubbing ?

Can we literally go over it with a wand ?

[Jamie Pearson]

Be careful you might scratch the floor. Squeegee head is far better.

[Jamie Pearson]

or a spinner if you have a high psi machine.

[Thackley Cleaning Services]

whats a spinner and where do i get one from ?

thanks

[Jamie Pearson]

http://www.alltec-direct.co.uk/hydroforce-sx12-p-248.html

http://www.wcsuk.com/acatalog/Truckmount_Parts.html Bottom of page

[John Milnes]

This is one of those questions which will get multiple answers.

The thing is.....what are you trying to do?

You are trying to clean an uneven surface. Therefore you will need a scrubbing machine with a brush that will get into the nooks and crannies and also the grout.....in other words a polyprop brush attached to a rotary.

Then there is the cleaning solution. Probably anything will do it. I have used ph13 strippers to Prochem powerburst.
Yes powerburst works admirably on stone floors. Did you ever spill some on a custys floor and feel embarased that it had left a clean patch after wiping it up? I only ever used that on the spur of the moment

After doing loads of these floors, I would reccomend Lithofin Wexa. It's a solvent cleaner at about £12 a litre. I guarantee it will bring your custy's floor up like new. I'v probably done what seems like 100 of these floors but probably at least 50 and each one has come up like new