If you recently decided to make the switch to travertine tiles in your kitchen, mud room, bathroom or basement, good choice! This gorgeous stone is a popular material in many home renovation projects, as it’s attractive, durable and versatile when it comes to complementing your decor.

But that doesn’t mean that it comes without a set of important guidelines to help you take full advantage of your new travertine tile. To help you avoid making mistakes when it comes to caring for your new tiles after travertine installation, here’s a list of the top five maintenance DONT’s.

1. DON’T wait to clean up spills
Spills are part of everyday life in most households, and while travertine looks great in areas that are prone to liquid messes, it’s important to clean up spills before they have a chance to damage the tile. Because travertine stone is porous, letting liquid sink into the stone could result in stains.

Always be sure to wipe up liquid spills as soon as you find them using a dry cloth. Then, use a slightly damp cloth to finish the job.

2. DON’T use a wet mop
Your first cleaning instinct may be to reach for the wet mop, but for travertine tile, this is a mistake. Wet mopping your travertine floor could result in fill loss, damage of the stone, staining and microbial growth that could cause discoloration.

Instead, clean your travertine tiles by first sweeping them, then using a slightly damp sponge or microfiber mop.

3. DON’T use chemical cleaners
Like limestone and marble, travertine is very reactive to acids, which means you can’t use any old cleaner to keep your travertine tiles spotless. Vinegar, bleach and ammonia are prime suspects, but since most all-purpose, bathroom, grout, tub and abrasive cleaners contain acid, you’re better off avoiding them altogether.

Instead, use a cleaner that’s specifically meant for natural stone. It should be pH-neutral without any added chemicals to soften hard water.

4. DON’T use the vacuum
You might be tempted to whip out the vacuum cleaner when it’s time to clean debris off of your travertine floors, but this is a bad idea. While it’s important to get rid of sand, dirt and other gritty substances to prevent scratching, vacuum machines can cause chips or cracks if you’re not careful. Get out the broom instead!

5. DON’T forget to seal
Applying sealer is a necessary step when it comes to making sure your travertine tile lasts. A thick layer applied every year or so will help protect your travertine from spills, scratches, stains and other types of damage, so it’s a no-brainer!