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I have a travertine shower and the grout has some hard water stains. It's time to reseal the shower so I want to clean it first. Problem is, all the recommendations I see say to use a vinegar mixture to clean hard water deposits on the grout but that is no good with the travertine because it is acidic.
I usually clean the shower with Dawn, but that doesn't seem tough enough to clean the hard water deposits. Anyone have any tips on how I might do this? Thanks!
First mistake- using travertine for a shower.
Second mistake- letting it go so long without sealer; or re-coating/sealing.
Whatever solution/product you use will probably be acidic in some form. Just limit the time exposure- that will limit the etching. Rinse with plenty of water.
I learned a trick a few months ago, and it worked, I couldn't believe it... toothpaste. Brush on toothpaste, let it sit a while, and then take the toothbrush and scrub it off.
Of course you don't want to use a gel. I'm talking paste.
I've had great success with Bar Keepers Friend for removing hard water stains on tile (and grout), metal and car windows. I am not sure how it works on travertine, though.
BKF is acidic as well. Travertine is limestone. Hard water scale is limestone. Nothing that removes hard water scale will be safe for travertine. Try to apply the cleaner you use directly to the grout as much as possible, and rinse well.
We don't have this particular one but one similar.
Thanks. I bought a kitchen floor steamer/vac a few years ago when I saw an early morning infomercial. It came with a bonus steamer that was supposed to do a lot in bathrooms but I've never used it. Think I'll add it to my weekend list to try out.
Thanks. I bought a kitchen floor steamer/vac a few years ago when I saw an early morning infomercial. It came with a bonus steamer that was supposed to do a lot in bathrooms but I've never used it. Think I'll add it to my weekend list to try out.
You are talking about cleaning the grout and/or replacing the stained grout? If you just Google "grout removing tools" many options come up. You can buy everything from grout 'saws' to electric grout removing tools. There are many options to make your job easier.
Elbow grease with a stiff bristle brush. You may need both a wire brush and a plastic bristle brush. No detergent or cleaner will help, as the deposits are not an oil-based residue.
Don't use CLR; it, too, is an acid.
Hypothetically (VERY hypothetically) a contractor could use the same method they use to get hard water deposits off swimming pool tile at the water level: they shoot hard beads at it, which breaks up the calcium deposits. Then they vacuum up the beads. It would have to be VERY severe to warrant that in a shower, and of course they would need to mask off anything that could be damaged (glass, metal, etc).
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