How to Polish Travertine

Written By
Casey Holley
Casey Holley
Published: Apr 23, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Polish travertine floors every six to 12 months if they're in a high-traffic area. For travertine countertops that are used infrequently, polish every three years.

  1. Wipe the travertine with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris.

  2. Sand the tile using 400-grit sandpaper in a circular motion, with just enough pressure to remove only the imperfections on top of the tile. Wipe the travertine when you are finished sanding.

  3. Go over the travertine with 600-grit sandpaper to make the travertine shine a little. Take care to remove all the scuffs from the previous grit.

  4. Finish up the sanding with 800-grit sandpaper. This should leave the surface as smooth as possible.

  5. Use a buffing pad to buff the travertine to a glossy shine.

Things You Will Need

  • Cloth
  • 400-grit sandpaper
  • 600-grit sandpaper
  • 800-grit sandpaper
  • Buffing pad
Casey Holley

Casey Holley is a medical writer who began working in the health and fitness industries in 1995, while still in high school. She has worked as a nutrition consultant and has written numerous health and wellness articles for various online…

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