Beautiful Travertine Kitchen Island Says Goodbye to Dirt and Etch Marks After a Stone Honing in Uptown, IL

March 20, 2021

A woman in Uptown, IL, recently contacted us because the travertine island in her kitchen was no longer what it used to be. A few months ago, she noticed the natural stone surface had become dull and etched. She tried restoring the travertine using different methods and products ever since, but the condition of the island only became worse as time passed.


Frustrated, she went online to search for advice. She found that these issues are common when natural stone isn't properly sealed. However, she also learned that there was no point in sealing the surface in its current condition. Most websites suggested having the travertine honed to restore it before the sealing procedure. With this in mind, the homeowner searched online for Uptown Stone Honing professionals. She found Sir Grout Chicago in the top search results. After browsing our website and seeing the feedback from satisfied customers, she called to request a free in-home assessment.

On the appointed day, we arrived at the client's home to assess the surface. While we were on our way to the kitchen, the client told us about her efforts to restore the travertine island and the products she had used. Most of the cleaning solutions were abrasive, which explained why the travertine island was dull and etched. Dirt had also accumulated on the surface, making matters worse.

Though it was damaged, we assured the client we could restore the travertine island with a stone honing procedure. We would clean, hone, and polish the surface to give it a nice, glossy finish. We would also seal the surface with Stone Armor to protect it long-term. The client agreed to the service and scheduled an appointment for later in the week.

A few days later, we went back to the client's home to perform the service. We began with a thorough cleaning process of the travertine surface. To do this, we soaked the island with Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. On top of it being safe for natural stone and grout, this cleaning solution contains enhanced properties that help reduce common household bacteria, mold, and mildew. After letting the cleaner sit for a few minutes, we rinsed it off using a high-speed scrubber.

Once the surface was free from dirt, we began the honing procedure. We honed the kitchen island using a low-grit diamond pad until we achieved an even, matte finish. To finish, we polished the stone and coated it with our flagship sealant Stone Armor. That is an impregnating sealant that shuts off the travertine's pores, protecting it against water, dirt, spills, mold, and mildew. It also enhances the overall appearance of travertine by giving it a wet look.

When we finished the job, we let the customer see the results. She was amazed by how shiny the travertine island in her kitchen looked. She thanked us for a good job and said she would recommend our services to her friends and family.

Before leaving, we gave the homeowner a few tips to help her maintain the travertine island in good condition. We first suggested cleaning the surface once a week using a pH-neutral cleaner like our proprietary cleaner. Our cleaner doesn't contain acidic substances or soap, so it won't damage stone tile nor leave any residue behind. We also recommended wiping away spills from the surface as soon as they happened. Certain types of foods contain substances that can damage natural stone long-term. For that reason, it's best to keep it as clean as possible at all times. To finish, we advised the client to keep an eye on the state of the sealant. To do this, the homeowner should periodically place a few drops of water on the travertine island. If the liquid seeps in, the surface must be re-sealed.

Has your kitchen island lost its shine? Don't worry, Sir Grout Chicago can restore it for you. We have the necessary tools and expertise to offer the best stone restoration services in the industry. To request our commercial and residential services, call (773) 923-2084 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this page. Don't forget to also subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with our latest news and promotions.

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