What eats travertine?

Author: Prof. Adam Ullrich  |  Last update: Friday, March 28, 2025

Most common household or tile cleaning solutions feature citric acid or vinegar and can eat away at the stone's surface, resulting in a dulling effect in the finish. This is especially bad for polished or honed travertine where it will be most obvious, and will eat away at the seal of any stone.

What damages travertine?

Travertine can suffer permanent damage from Acid and harsh chemicals because it is a type of Limestone, formed from calcium. Travertine can be matt, honed or polished. Travertine can be sealed with Impregnating sealers, Topical sealers and Waxed.

How do you protect travertine stone?

We recommend sealing travertine tiled floors or walls with an impregnating sealer like Floorseal Natural Stone Sealer Breathe. This kind of sealer sinks/soaks into the stone and seals from within. This sealer is fully breathable which does not alter colour or create a sheen.

What does vinegar do to travertine?

Travertine is a calcium carbonate-based stone, making it sensitive to acidic substances. When vinegar comes into contact with travertine, it reacts with the calcium carbonate, causing the stone to etch. Etching results in dull spots and can even lead to more significant damage, such as surface pitting.

Does salt water eat travertine?

Travertine can safely be used around a salt water pool as long as the appropriate measures are taken to protect it. A high quality water-repellant, impregnating sealer should be used on the travertine, giving reasonable protection for 5-10 years.

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Can you use Dawn dish soap on travertine?

What Cleaners are Safe for Travertine Tiles? It is important to choose mild cleaners that are made specifically for natural stone. You can use a mild dish soap and water if natural stone cleaner is not available.

What happens if travertine gets wet?

Yes, water can damage travertine due to its porous nature. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause staining, mould growth, and surface erosion. Proper sealing prevents water absorption, protecting the stone's durability and appearance.

What should you not use on travertine?

Don't: Use Abrasive Pads

After proper sealing, cleaning should be accomplished with nothing more than a soft (preferably microfiber) towels or clean rag, along with a stone-safe cleaner like MARBLELIFE® Marble & Travertine Cleaner. Abrasive materials will scratch this soft surface over time dulling the surface.

What happens if you use bleach on travertine?

While travertine pavers are good at withstanding tough weather, they can corrode with the use of harsh cleaning chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, or scouring powders. Products that contain lemon, vinegar, and other acids can also be damaging to your travertine tiles.

Will hydrogen peroxide damage travertine?

To kill off mold and mildew and keep your investment looking its best, travertine can be cleaned with a peroxide-based product like Oxiclean, which will not harm the polish on your travertine. Remember, hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabric, so, like bleach, watch your clothes and linens.

What happens if you don't seal travertine?

The only reason you need sealing is because the stone has pores on the surface rather you can say the stone is porous in nature and would absorb not only water but moisture and any other liquid if spilled on the surface. This can cause stains and etching marks which would damage the natural beauty of the stone.

What is the best cleaner for travertine?

If you are cleaning a travertine tiled floor the most effective cleaning solution is Floorseal Stone Floor Cleaner. Floorseal Stone Floor Cleaner is a deep cleaning solution, suitable for removing built-up grime, dirt & oil marks. If your tiles are dirty & dull this product is perfect for deep cleaning your floor.

How long will travertine last?

Average-grade travertine pavers could last over 100 years. This means that paving your pool area with travertine is a one-and-done solution. Travertine pavers are thick and durable, standing up to harsh weather conditions like extreme heat or cold and holding up well under the weight of your patio furniture.

What is the disadvantage of travertine?

Cons of Travertine

Travertine Limestones are porous, which makes them vulnerable to stains and scratches. On exposure to acids, they react and get damaged.

Why is my travertine crumbling?

When water seeps into travertine through cracks or pores in the surface, it can accelerate deterioration over time. Moisture trapped within the stone can undergo freeze-thaw cycles (especially in colder climates), causing it to expand and contract repeatedly, leading to stress and eventual spalling or flaking.

Does travertine increase home value?

Travertine can also enhance property value, especially when used in prominent areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Will baking soda ruin travertine?

Avoid Citrus Or Vinegar Cleaning Agents

Both these elements will cause the Travertine surface to dull. Acidic substances like lemon, orange peels, baking soda, vinegar slowly may penetrate the surface to cause irreparable damage.

Is OxiClean safe for travertine?

If your deck is made from concrete, pavers travertine, brick, stamped concrete or composite decking, you can clean and refresh it for summer using OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover.

Why is my travertine turning black?

One of the most common visual effects of mold on travertine pavers is discoloration. Naturally, mold appears as dark green, black, or brown spots on the surface, which can significantly detract from the pavers' aesthetic appeal that you strived for.

Should you pressure wash travertine?

Pressure Wash

Just be careful with the type of nozzle and how much pressure you use for travertine cleaning. Use a nozzle with a wide spray pattern to clean travertine tile. And avoid getting the nozzle too close to the surface of the pavers. High pressure can actually carve grooves into the surface of the travertine.

Can you use Murphy's Oil soap on travertine tile?

Murphy® Oil Soap and other non-synthetic solutions are safe to use on tile and grout without wearing down either one, but other natural solutions include rubbing alcohol, particularly for more set spots of mildew.

How often should I seal a travertine floor?

You must seal your Travertine tiles right when you install them. After that, it is best to reseal them every one to three years. Resealing also depends on the foot traffic and frequency of cleaning the tiles. If they start to look dull or you notice any stains, it might be time to bring out the sealant again.

Can I seal travertine myself?

A sealer can be applied to Travertine using a sponge, brush, paint pad, cotton towel or sprayer. Any sealer that has not been absorbed by the stone in 5 minutes should be removed using an absorbent paper or micro-fiber towel.

Is travertine worth the money?

Durability and Longevity: Highly durable, travertine withstands heavy foot traffic and weather conditions. With proper care, it can last for decades. This longevity makes it a valuable investment for your home. Heat Resistance: Travertine's excellent heat resistance makes it ideal for outdoor areas.

What causes travertine to crack?

While travertine tiles usually have a smooth surface, there are still bubbles just below the surface that can be opened or cracked if subjected to pressure from high heels or sharp objects.

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