How to clean and care for travertine

Travertine is a natural limestone, full of small pits and soft veining. It is beautiful, heavy and surprisingly easy to live with, as long as you know that it is softer and more porous than marble or granite. Here is how to clean it, protect it and keep it looking good.

What makes travertine different

Travertine forms around mineral springs, where water rich in calcium carbonate leaves layers of stone behind. Gas bubbles trapped as it forms leave the pits and holes that give it its character. Because it is a calcium based stone, it reacts to acids, and because it is porous, it can absorb liquids if they are left to sit.

Those same qualities are why it looks so natural: no two pieces are the same, and the colour, veining and pattern of pits vary from one to the next.

Everyday cleaning

• Dust or wipe with a soft, dry cloth. For most travertine objects, such as trays, candle holders and lamp bases, that is all they need.
• For marks, use a slightly damp cloth with plain water, then dry the stone straight away.
• If you need a cleaner, use one made for natural stone or a drop of pH neutral soap in water, then wipe with clean water and dry.
• Use a soft brush to lift dust from the pits and holes.

What to avoid

• Acids: vinegar, lemon juice, wine, fruit juice and many bathroom and kitchen sprays can etch travertine, leaving dull marks on the surface
• Bleach and ammonia based cleaners
• Abrasive pads and powders, which scratch the surface
• Leaving liquids to sit: wipe up spills straight away

Travertine in the bathroom

A travertine tray by the basin is one of the nicest ways to use the stone, and it copes well with a bathroom if you look after it. Wipe away water and soap after use rather than leaving puddles to dry on the surface, and stand soap bottles on the tray rather than bars of soap, which can leave residue. Our Kinosaki travertine tray has a raised rim that keeps bottles and soaps together.

Coasters and the table

Travertine coasters are popular because the stone is cool, heavy and naturally textured. Because the stone is porous, it can take up drips from wet glasses, especially red wine, coffee or anything acidic. Wipe them after use and let them dry. A stone sealer, available from DIY and tile shops, adds protection if you use them every day.

Should you seal travertine?

Sealing does not make travertine waterproof, but it slows down how quickly liquids soak in, which gives you more time to wipe up. It is most useful for pieces that meet liquids often: coasters, trays by the basin and kitchen pieces. Lamp bases, wall lights and decorative objects rarely need it. Always follow the sealer maker's instructions and test it first on an underside or a hidden area.

Travertine lighting

For travertine wall lights, pendants and table lamps, switch off and let the fitting cool, then dust the stone with a soft dry cloth or brush. Never spray cleaner onto a light fitting. Browse our stone and travertine collection for lighting, trays, coasters and candle holders.

How it ages

Travertine is a stone that softens with use. Small marks and a gentle wear on the surface become part of its character over time, much like old floors and steps made of the same stone. We look at this in more detail in Travertine, bouclé and rattan in year five.