Travertine Care and Maintenance Tips
Travertine is a natural stone and cleaning methods can be simple and easy. It is important to learn how to care and maintain travertine properly to avoid a damaged look and feel. This type of stone is one of the most common natural stones used by designers. Its beautiful range of colors and textures can make a great complement to any home decor. Common interior applications include tile flooring, showers, backsplashes, countertops, vanity tops and table tops. While natural travertine does not require an extensive amount of maintenance, improper care can result in damage, dulling of polished surfaces and unsightly etching. Because of the rough texture that tumbled travertine stones represent, this finish is the most forgiving. With polished and honed travertine, damage is usually irreversible without the assistance of a natural stone professional. In order to save time and money, it is best to prevent stains, etching and other issues from occurring in the beginning with simple proper cleaning methods.
Travertine is a calcareous stone. When cleaning these types of stones it is extremely important to always use cleaning products that are pH neutral or balanced. This means avoid cleaners that are acidic, such as vinegar, lemon, and orange cleaning products. The acids in these cleaners will damage the surface of travertine tile flooring, backsplashes, showers, and will also infiltrate the porous surface of the stone causing it to etch and dull. Also avoid harsh or abrasive chemicals such as bleach and ammonia which are hazardous to your health and also seep into the pores of the travertine causing more damage.
Supreme Surface® offers a complete line of stone care products formulated to clean and protect all natural stones, including travertine. For travertine showers specifically, apply a penetrating sealer first, then follow with GUARD — ioSeal® bonds at the surface level to resist stains, calcium, and limescale buildup without plugging pores or leaving buildup.
- Stone Shower Treatment with ioSeal® — weekly treatment for travertine and natural stone showers
- GUARD with ioSeal® — all-in-one care for travertine countertops, vanity tops, and backsplashes
- BARE CLEAN Daily Stone Cleaner — pH neutral, safe for daily use on all travertine surfaces
What is Travertine
Travertine is a calcareous stone — a compacted form of limestone. It often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and is most commonly white, tan, cream, or variations of these colors. The stone is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in its surface. When used for natural stone flooring, showers, or backsplashes, these holes may be filled with grout, travertine fill, or left open, depending upon the desired look.
