How to Clean Travertine Shower Tile Natural Stone Care

Travertine is one of my absolute favorite materials to specify in high-end residential bathrooms. Its earthy texture and warm, creamy hues instantly ground a space, bringing a biophilic, spa-like quality that evidence-based design suggests can lower heart rates and reduce stress. However, I often hesitate to recommend it unless the client understands exactly what they are signing up for regarding maintenance.

Unlike the porcelain or ceramic tiles you might be used to, travertine is a sedimentary limestone formed by mineral springs. This means it is calcium-based and naturally porous, making it highly reactive to acids and susceptible to water absorption. If you treat your travertine shower like a standard subway tile installation, you will ruin the finish within months.

Maintaining natural stone requires a shift in mindset from “scrubbing” to “nurturing.” If you are looking for visual inspiration on bathroom layouts using natural stone, check out the Picture Gallery at the end of this post. In this guide, I will walk you through the exact protocols I give my clients to keep their stone pristine, safe, and beautiful for decades.

Understanding the Biology of Your Stone

Before you pick up a sponge, you must understand the material you are working with. Travertine is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in its surface, which are usually filled with a cement-based filler during the fabrication process.

From an architectural standpoint, we classify travertine as a soft stone. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, it sits lower than granite or quartzite. This makes it physically susceptible to scratches from abrasive scrubbers and chemically susceptible to “etching”—a dulling chemical burn caused by acidic substances.

In evidence-based design, we look at how environments impact health. A poorly maintained travertine shower isn’t just ugly; it can become a hygiene issue. If the seal wears off, those microscopic pores become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, which are difficult to eradicate without damaging the stone.

Designer’s Note: The Finish Matters

Most shower floors feature “tumbled” or “honed” travertine rather than “polished.” Polished stone is dangerously slippery when wet and shows etching instantly. Honed stone has a matte finish that hides minor wear, but its open texture can grab onto soap scum more aggressively. Knowing your finish helps you choose the right cleaning aggression level.

Daily and Weekly Maintenance Protocols

The secret to clean travertine is not a powerful chemical; it is preventing water and product buildup in the first place. When I design a wet room, I always include a niche or ledge for a high-quality squeegee because mechanical water removal is the single most effective cleaning step.

The Squeegee Rule

You must squeegee the walls and floor after every single shower. This prevents mineral deposits (limescale) from the water evaporating onto the stone. Once limescale bonds to travertine, removing it is a nightmare because the acids usually used to dissolve calcium deposits will also dissolve the calcium in the stone itself.

Ventilation is Key

Travertine holds moisture longer than ceramic. You need to run your exhaust fan during the shower and for at least 30 minutes afterward. In my projects, I specify fans with a CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating of at least 1 per square foot of room area to ensure rapid drying.

The Weekly Wash

Once a week, wash the stone with warm water and a microfiber cloth. You likely do not need heavy soap every week if you are diligent with the squeegee.

Rinse the walls with a handheld sprayer to remove surface dust or residual shampoo.

Wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth.
Buff dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots.

The Deep Cleaning Method

Even with great daily habits, you will eventually need a deeper clean to remove body oils and soap film. This is where most homeowners go wrong by reaching for generic bathroom cleaners.

The Golden Rule of Chemistry

Never, under any circumstances, use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia, or standard tub-and-tile cleaners on travertine. These are either acidic or too harsh, and they will strip the sealer and etch the stone surface immediately.

Step-by-Step Deep Clean

1. Prep the Area: Remove all bottles, loofahs, and mats from the shower. Rinse the stone thoroughly with hot water to loosen debris.
2. Mix the Solution: Use a dedicated “pH-neutral natural stone cleaner.” Dilute it with warm water according to the bottle instructions. In a pinch, a tiny drop of mild dish soap works, but specialized stone soap is better because it doesn’t leave a residue.
3. Apply and Dwell: Apply the solution to the walls and floor. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This “dwell time” allows the chemistry to break down the soap scum so you don’t have to scrub aggressively.
4. Agitate Gently: Use a soft nylon bristle brush or a white nylon scrub pad. Do not use green or metal scrubbers. Work in small circular motions, paying attention to the grout lines.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: You must rinse until there are absolutely no suds left. Residual soap attracts dirt, making the shower get dirty faster next time.
6. Dry Completely: Use a cotton or microfiber towel to dry the stone.

Pet-Friendly Design Tip

If you wash your dog in a travertine shower, be very careful with pet shampoos. Many whitening or flea-treatment shampoos are acidic or harsh. Rinse the floor immediately after bathing your pet to prevent chemical reactions with the stone sealer.

Handling Grout and Mold

Grout is often the failure point in a stone shower. Because travertine is usually installed with unsanded or narrowly sanded grout lines (often 1/16 to 1/8 inch), scrubbing too hard can erode the grout.

The Bleach Myth

Do not use bleach on travertine to kill mold. Bleach is a high-pH base that can damage the stone’s finish, and if it seeps into the pores, it can cause “spalling” (flaking) over time.

Safe Mold Removal

If you see pink or black spots:

Use a cleaner specifically formulated for mold on natural stone.
Alternatively, use hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) sparingly on the grout lines only. Test a small, hidden area first.

Scrub the grout gently with a soft toothbrush.

Common Mistakes + Fixes

Mistake: Using a steam cleaner too frequently or on too high a setting.
Why it fails: While steam is chemical-free, the intense heat and pressure can force moisture deep into the stone and potentially blow out older grout or pitting filler.
The Fix: Use steam only occasionally for deep sanitation, keep the nozzle moving constantly, and never hold it directly over a filled pit in the stone.

Sealing: The First Line of Defense

You cannot have a functional travertine shower without a high-quality sealer. The sealer acts as a sacrificial layer that buys you time to wipe up messes before they penetrate the stone.

Types of Sealers

I almost exclusively specify “impregnating” or “penetrating” sealers for showers. Unlike topical sealers that form a plastic-like film on top (which can trap moisture and peel), impregnating sealers soak into the pores to repel water and oil from within while allowing the stone to breathe.

The Water Test

How do you know if it is time to reseal? Perform the water test.
1. Flick a few drops of water onto the driest part of your shower wall.
2. Wait 5 minutes.
3. If the water beads up like a waxed car, your seal is good.
4. If the stone darkens and absorbs the water, you need to reseal immediately.

Application Strategy

I recommend resealing a travertine shower every 12 to 24 months.

Clean the shower perfectly and let it dry for at least 24 hours (use a dehumidifier if necessary).

Apply the sealer with a foam brush or lambswool applicator.
Let it penetrate for the time listed on the product (usually 10-15 minutes).
Wipe off all excess sealer completely. If you let excess sealer dry on the surface, it will leave a hazy, sticky mess that requires chemical stripping to fix.

Addressing Stains and Etching

Despite your best efforts, accidents happen. Here is how I handle damage control in real-world projects.

Etch Marks

If you spill an acidic cleaner and leave a dull white spot, that is an etch. For minor etching on honed stone, you can sometimes buff it out using a specialized marble polishing powder (tin oxide). Wet the spot, sprinkle the powder, and buff with a damp cloth in circles until the finish blends.

Organic Stains

For shampoo dyes or biological stains that have soaked in, use a poultice.
1. Mix a poultice powder (available at stone supply stores) or baking soda with water to form a peanut-butter consistency paste.
2. Spread it over the stain 1/4 inch thick.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and tape the edges.
4. poke a few holes in the plastic.
5. Let it sit for 24 to 48 hours. As the paste dries, it pulls the stain out of the stone.

What I’d Do in a Real Project

If a client calls me with a travertine shower that has significant mold in the caulking or widespread etching, I do not recommend DIY heroics. I bring in a professional stone restoration specialist. They have diamond-grit pads and commercial poultices that can resurface the stone. It is cheaper to pay a pro $500 for a restoration than to replace a $10,000 shower.

Finish & Styling Checklist

Keeping your shower clean is also about how you style it. As designers, we choose accessories that mitigate damage risks.

Use Trays: never set metal shaving cream cans directly on the stone. They leave rust rings that are nearly impossible to remove. Place all products on a ceramic or resin tray within the niche.

Check the Mats: If you use a shower mat inside the stall, lift it after every shower. Rubber-backed mats trap water against the stone, leading to severe discoloration and pitting.
Install a Handheld: If you are in the design phase, insist on a handheld sprayer. It makes rinsing down the walls significantly easier, which encourages you to actually do it.
Lighting: I often place a gimbal LED light focused on the stone wall. This highlights the beautiful texture, but it also highlights soap scum. This “unforgiving” lighting is actually a benefit—it forces you to spot-clean messes before they build up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use magic erasers on travertine?
I generally advise against it. Magic erasers are essentially micro-sandpaper (melamine foam). While they remove surface dirt, regular use will micro-abrade the sealer and eventually dull the stone finish. Use them only for emergency spot cleaning on grout, not the tile face.

Is vinegar ever okay if I dilute it?
No. Vinegar is acidic. Even diluted, repeated exposure will weaken the stone’s structure and dull the surface. The damage is cumulative. Stick to pH-neutral formulations.

What about bar soap vs. liquid body wash?
From a cleaning perspective, liquid body wash is superior. Bar soap contains talc and fats that re-solidify into stubborn soap scum. Liquid washes rinse away much cleaner, reducing the frequency of deep scrubbing.

How do I clean the shower floor specifically?
The floor takes the most abuse. If you have a textured or tumbled floor that traps dirt, use a soft-bristled nylon deck brush (long handle) once a week with your stone cleaner. This saves your back and gets into the pits better than a rag.

Conclusion

Living with travertine is a relationship. It asks for a little more attention than glazed ceramic, but in return, it gives you a warmth and timeless elegance that man-made materials simply cannot replicate.

The goal is not to keep the stone looking “brand new” forever—natural stone will develop a patina over time, which is part of its charm. The goal is to keep it healthy, hygienic, and free of damage. By switching to pH-neutral cleaners, adhering to the squeegee rule, and keeping your seal intact, your travertine shower will remain a sanctuary rather than a chore.