Why is my travertine turning orange?

Author: Gilbert Howell  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

Travertine is a very porous stone, so it can easily soak up liquids, leading to stains, discoloration, degradation and mold growth. The way to prevent this is to have the stone properly sealed during and after installation, and then periodically throughout its lifespan.

How do I remove rust stains from travertine?

How To Clean Rust off of Travertine
  1. Wear protective eyewear and gloves.
  2. Start by washing the debris and dirt from the travertine.
  3. Spray Cobble Oxhide using the proper dilution ratio on an inconspicuous area of the travertine. ...
  4. Spray or roll the oxhide on the surface where rust has formed.

Does travertine change color over time?

A: Travertine Pavers are highly durable; they have been in nature for thousands of years and retain their color over time. This is actually one of the reasons why people choose Travertine over other materials, such as brick pavers, which begin to fade and crack within a year or two.

Why is my marble tile turning orange?

This staining can happen because white marble often contains small deposits of iron. If the marble becomes wet long enough to allow moisture to leach through the marble, the iron deposits will oxidize creating yellow/orange/brown stains.

How to get travertine white again?

Here's the answer, travertine will soak up any stain. Use 50/50 mix of chlorine and water in a pump sprayer and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse. Use an ICT product called stone show to seal. You're welcome.

JUST PUT SALT AND INSTANTANEOUS GLUE IN THE HOLE OF THE TILE AND THE LEAK WILL NEVER BE AGAIN SEE...

Is Dawn dish soap safe for travertine?

Use a Mild Cleaning Solution:

Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap to clean your travertine. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage the sealant.

What happens if you use vinegar on 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.

What is the orange discoloration on my tile?

Mould or bacteria often thrive in leftover soap scum, then seep into tiling and grouting. Prolonged exposure to the bacteria in your water can cause orange or reddish stains in grout. If your orange stains are due to bacteria in your plumbing fixtures or shower, that is an immediate health concern.

How do you get yellow discoloration out of marble?

– Alkaline stone or marble cleaner is ideal for removing yellow stains and protecting the marble from damage. Use as directed by the manufacturer. These cleaners should be available from your local hardware store. The most likely cause of yellow stains on white marble floors is iron oxidation.

What is the orange stuff under tile?

Ditra is an uncoupling membrane designed for ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile installations on floors. It provides uncoupling to prevent cracked tile and grout. It is made of polyethylene creating a waterproofing layer protecting the substrate.

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.

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 often should travertine be sealed?

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.

What is the best rust remover for travertine?

pFOkUS product – Imperia Deep Clean is one such strong cleaner that completely eliminates rust stains from the surface and reveals a sparkling surface below. It can be used on natural stone like travertine and marble and also on non-natural tile like ceramic and porcelain.

Can you use a magic eraser on travertine?

We also NEVER recommend using OxiClean or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as a cleaner on any type of natural stone. OxiClean and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser have many beneficial uses but using it to clean your travertine is NOT one of them.

Does baking soda clean travertine?

Combine equal parts water and baking soda with just a splash of your regular cleaning agent. Mix until pasty and scrub into the travertine tile or paver you'd like to clean.

Why did my marble turn orange?

ANSWER - Orange or rust like staining in stone can be caused by minerals within the stone or sometimes because the stone is in close proximity of metal.

How to remove orange stains from marble?

Apply a Baking Soda Poultice

How to Apply: Spread the paste over the stain, ensuring it covers the affected area entirely. Let it sit for 24 hours, then gently remove it with a damp cloth. Repeat if Needed: You may need to repeat this process several times for more stubborn stains.

Can yellowed marble be restored?

Some stone floors are polished using the process of crystallization. If your marble contains any moisture when this type of polishing occurs, the stone will begin to yellow. This can sometimes be reversed with a powder marble polish and if not, the floor will need to be honed by your stone and tile care professional.

What causes grout to turn orange?

The biggest culprits are mould and mildew, which can turn your grout an unpleasant grey colour, but a build-up of shampoo and shower gel can also turn your bathroom grout an unappealing shade of yellow or orange.

Why is my tile turning yellow?

Address Hard Water Issues: Hard water contains minerals that can settle on tiles, leading to a yellowish hue. If your water supply is hard, consider investing in a water softener. It reduces mineral content, curbing tile discoloration due to mineral deposits.

How do you remove oxidation from tile?

Directions: Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar onto the affected area. Allow the vinegar to sit on the surface for about 3 to 5 minutes. Rub the surface with a clean, soft cloth to remove the stain.

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.

Can I 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.

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.

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