Travertine is a living material. To maintain its quiet luxury appeal, you don’t need intense chemicals; you need the right habits. Treat it with the same respect you’d give a fine leather bag or a mechanical watch.
Here is the expert guide to preserving your investment.
1. The Golden Rule: pH Neutral Only
Standard household cleaners are the enemy. Their acidity vinegar, lemon, or bleach will etch the stone, eating into the surface and dulling its natural glow. 
* The Fix: Use only warm water and a pH neutral stone soap. 
* The Routine: A soft microfiber cloth is all you need for daily dusting and spills. 
2. Seal Early, Seal Often
Think of sealer as an invisible shield. Because travertine is porous, it wants to drink liquids. 
* The Protection: A high quality impregnating sealer sits below the surface to repel oils and water. 
* The Frequency: For high traffic villa floors or dining tables, reseal once a year. It’s a 15 minute task that prevents a lifetime of staining.
3. Blot, Don’t Wipe
When a spill happens and it will do not rub it.
* The Technique: Blot the liquid immediately with a clean paper towel. Wiping pushes the pigment deeper into the stone’s pores.
* Watch Out For: Coffee, wine, and citrus are the main culprits. If they hit the stone, act fast.
4. Use Buffers In a luxury interior, coasters and placemats aren’t just decor; they’re functional insurance. 
* Protection: Use felt pads under heavy sculptures or vases to prevent scratches.
* The Patina Mindset: Small signs of wear over decades are part of the stone’s story, but preventing deep scratches keeps the sculptural look intact.