Cleaning travertine/slate combo

[Karigraphy]

We've just had a kitchen backsplash installed with honed travertine field tiles, a row of small (1-1/2") slate pieces, and honed travertine trim that looks like crown molding. When the tiles are clean and the grout is sealed, we plan to put an enhancer on the slate and trim (not sure about the field tile yet).

I had some concerns so I came to this web site. After reading info here, I've come to realize that our installers didn't do a very good job cleaning grout off the stone. Grout is embedded in the crevices of the honed travertine trim and grout is in the recessed areas of the slate pieces. It looks like I could clean them with either a grout haze cleaner or a 50% vinegar solution. My main question is whether the product I use to clean the grout off the slate will harm the travertine?

Earlier today I tried cleaning the stone with water and a Scotch Clean Release sponge which took a lot of the thinner grout off the travertine and just a little off the slate. However, when the slate and trim are wet they look pretty good even with a little grout in the slate crevices. Does that mean that's about what they would look like once the enhancer is applied?

Any recommendations on how to best proceed?

Kari

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[Maurizio Bertoli]

Dear Kari:
I must assume that your travertine tiles are unfilled, if you lament that you have grout inside some of the "crevices."
Removing grout residue is always a royal pain in the "you-know-what" :) In don't believe that there is some magic product that will make you do the job without having to use a lot of patience and time. Very definitely, you want to stay away from a solution of water and vinegar when dealing with natural stone. Most slate will etch! :( (Travertine, too, but in your case it wouldn't be so noticeable due to its rough finish.)
However, if what you see when your slate is wet satisfies you, then yes, a good-quality stone color enhancer will give you the same look permanently. :yipee:
Ciao and good luck,

[Karigraphy]

Actually, the travertine is honed and filled. The field tile doesn't look too bad. The crevices the grout has gotten into is on the trim pieces that look like crown molding - so if you can imagine - there are lines of grout on top of the trim pieces.

Where the grout is thin I can scrub it off. Where it is thicker, it is very difficult to almost impossible to remove with water, scrub sponge (Scotch Clean Release), and elbow grease.

Would a grout haze remover product be safe on both the travertine and slate?

[Maurizio Bertoli]

Dear Kari:
A grout haze remover will not remove thick grout: only ... haze! :)
For the thicker part you could use a 4" razor blade, and use the grout haze remover for the residue. Make sure, however, that the product is safe on natural stone! Many grout film remover are acidic, and you don't want that!
Ciao and good luck,

[doitright]

Hi Kari, Welcome! :)

The only way that I know how to remove the grout from the "crevices" or "inside corners" of the trim pieces is by mechanical removal (or razor scraper as Maurizio suggested). Other tools are available, but could be even more damaging than acid if extreme care isn't taken. Beware of using the grout haze removers. Most are acidic (again previously mentioned).

[Karigraphy]

Thanks for the info. By the way, the installer is returning this week to see what she can do about cleaning up the grout where grout shouldn't be. (Today I found small blobs of grout on the under-the-cabinet lights, which just goes to show you the newbie doing the grout was definitely drawing outside of the lines.)

I did find that using the edge of a plastic credit card got some of the grout off the trim but the credit card takes a beating!

Kari

[Maurizio Bertoli]

"...but the credit card takes a beating!"

That is the downside. The upside is that by using a credit card, before you "attack" your grout residue with it you can always yell: "CHARGE!!!" :yipee: :D :D :D
Ciao and good luck,