How to clean grout in a travertine marble floor?

Tywoodpk

There is travertine marble through out my kitchen, family room and hallway, and the grout is filthy. 
I started cleaning it with bleach, until I did some more research and discovered this was a stupid thing to do with marble.

There are so many specialised cleaning products available, many which are very expensive, and then there’s all the home made recipes.  I can’t find a local company to come and do it.  

What can I safely use to clean the grout, please? 

MitchellMc

Hi @Tywoodpk,

Could you please post a picture of your tiles as it will show our members exactly what you are working with? Travertine is a type of limestone that requires special care whilst cleaning and is very vulnerable to scratching, acidic cleaners, abrasive materials and staining. Marble is limestone that has undergone a metamorphosis after exposure to extreme temperature and pressure. Through this process, it becomes far denser, harder and more durable than travertine. I'm keen to know whether you have travertine or marble as they require different cleaning methods. Perhaps you have polished travertine? There's also a honed finish that appears matt and is typically used on floors. 

Although travertine is very durable, it can be damaged when exposed to certain cleaning products. Harsh chemicals, phosphate, acidic, abrasive, and bleached-based cleaning products are generally not recommended. Travertine is a material that needs frequent cleaning with only hot water. Periodically you can add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the mix to remove buildup. Ideally, the porous stone and grout should be regularly sealed with a penetrative sealer to prevent scum and dirt from embedding in the surface. Any cleaning products used need to be designed specifically for natural stones like travertine or limestone. Many travertine suppliers recommend nothing more than hot water and a soft cloth.

All the above doesn't help you when dealing with soiled grout. Removing any significant staining in the grout will require a cleaning product that is likely too strong for the travertine to be exposed to. Has white grout been used by chance? If so, you might like to consider using grout paint. Steam cleaners are another option, and we even hire our Britex Grout & Tile Deep Cleaner. Apart from those options, the only safe cleaning process I can recommend would be hot water with some dishwasher soap and a scrubbing brush. It will likely take quite a bit of elbow grease to remove dirt buildup, and any significant staining will be hard to remove.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell