Travertine
A calcium carbonate stone with open pores running through it, so it is acid-sensitive and absorbent at the same time — the worst pair of properties in a bathroom.
In detail
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, and its identifying feature is the network of voids left by gas escaping as it formed. Those voids are usually filled with a resin or a cement at the factory and they reopen over time as the filler wears or is dissolved. Chemically it is calcareous — mainly calcium carbonate — and the stone trade's classification is what governs its care: calcareous stone is sensitive to acidic solutions, so mild non-acidic cleaners are recommended, and lemon, vinegar and other acids may dull or etch it. That places every domestic descaler, every bathroom limescale spray and the household vinegar remedy on the prohibited list, because the deposit being removed and the stone underneath are the same compound. The porosity compounds the problem: liquids are drawn in rather than sitting on top, so a spill is a stain rather than a mark and the correct first response is to blot immediately rather than to wipe, which spreads it. Impregnating sealers make it more stain resistant and, in the trade's own words, are repellents rather than sealers — they are not stain-proof and they do not protect against etching at all.
Properties
Sensitivity
- Acids
- Sensitive
- Alkalis
- Not known
- Chlorine bleach
- Not known
- Abrasion
- Sensitive
- Porous
- Sensitive
“Not known” means nobody has established this, not that the material is unaffected.
Why
- Travertine is explained by Etching versus staining
- Travertine is explained by Porous and non-porous surfaces
- Travertine is explained by Capillary absorption
- Travertine is explained by Surface roughness
Related
- Travertine is commonly affected by Soap scum
- Travertine is commonly affected by Limescale
- Travertine is commonly affected by Water marks
Sources for this page
Sources
Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone
Natural Stone Institute · Trade or professional body
Relied on for: That calcareous stone is mainly calcium carbonate and sensitive to acidic solutions, that lemon, vinegar and other acids may dull or etch it, that scouring powders and creams may scratch it, and that sealers are impregnators which are repellent rather than stain-proof. (states this directly)