Natural stone tile can last a lifetime — Roman travertine floors are still intact after two thousand years. But that longevity depends on one thing: using the right products and avoiding the wrong ones.
This guide covers everything you need to know to keep marble, travertine, and onyx looking their best for decades.
The Golden Rule: pH-Neutral Everything
Every natural stone — marble, travertine, onyx — is sensitive to acid. Anything with a low pH will etch the surface, leaving dull marks that are difficult or impossible to reverse at home.
Never use on natural stone:
- Vinegar or vinegar-based cleaners (extremely acidic)
- Lemon juice or citrus cleaners
- Bleach or ammonia-based products
- Abrasive scrubbing pads
- Generic bathroom cleaners (most are acidic)
Always use:
- pH-neutral stone cleaner (available at hardware stores or online)
- Warm water and a soft cloth for everyday cleaning
- Dish soap diluted in water for occasional deeper cleaning
Sealing: Your First Line of Defense
Stone sealer is what prevents staining, etching, and moisture damage. Think of it as sunscreen for your tile — it doesn't make the stone invincible, but it buys you time when accidents happen.
When to seal:
- Before installation — always
- Before grouting — always (prevents grout from staining the stone)
- After grouting — once more after the grout cures
- Annually after that for polished surfaces
- Every 6 months for honed surfaces and travertine in wet areas
To test whether your stone needs resealing: drop a few beads of water on the surface. If they bead up, the sealer is still working. If they absorb into the stone, it's time to reseal.
Travertine-Specific Tips
Travertine is more porous than marble, which makes sealing especially important. The natural pitting and voids in travertine can trap moisture and cleaning products. Always rinse thoroughly after cleaning!
For filled travertine: the filler material (usually grout or epoxy) can sometimes shrink or crack over time. Small touch-ups with matching grout are easy to do yourself.
For tumbled or unfilled travertine: the textured surface hides wear well, but requires more attention to keep clean. A soft brush works better than a cloth for getting into the texture.
Marble-Specific Tips
Marble is the most reactive natural stone. It's calcite-based, which means acid etches it almost instantly. The biggest culprits in kitchens are lemon juice, wine, and tomato. In bathrooms, it's acidic shampoos and cleaning products.
The good news: mild etching on honed marble is nearly invisible. On polished marble, deeper etching can often be addressed by a stone restoration professional.
For daily maintenance: wipe dry after every use in wet areas. Standing water that evaporates leaves mineral deposits and can accelerate etching over time.
Onyx-Specific Tips
Onyx is the most delicate of the three. It's softer than marble, more reactive to acid, and best reserved for walls and low-traffic surfaces. For onyx, use an impregnating sealer designed specifically for sensitive stones, and clean immediately after any spill.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Etching (dull spot on polished marble): Light etching can sometimes be polished out with a marble polishing powder. Deeper etching requires professional restoration.
Staining: Apply a stone poultice, a paste that draws the stain out of the porous stone over 24–48 hours. Available at stone supply stores.
Grout discoloration: Clean with a pH-neutral grout cleaner, then reseal. If the discoloration is permanent, re-grouting is the solution.
The best maintenance is preventative: seal regularly, clean with the right products, and address spills immediately. Do those three things and your marble, travertine, or onyx tile will outlast everything else in the room.
Questions about a specific stone? Contact our team! We're happy to advise on the right sealer and care routine for your tile.