How to Darken Travertine Naturally

Travertine is one of the most popular types of stone to use for flooring and countertops in people’s homes today. It’s a limestone that has pitted holes in it, and is easily cut into irregular shapes for whatever part of your home you’re looking to add travertine to. 

 

Whether your travertine is older or brand new, you might be looking to spice up the color of your flooring without ripping it up and adding something new. Well, we have good news. There are ways you can darken travertine tile naturally, without ruining the stone itself, and we’re going to tell you about all of them.

Oils

Oils are one of the most natural ways to bring out the deeper colors that travertine stone comes in. They highlight the natural pigments in the stone and allow the best colors in the travertine to be showcased. Gently rub oil on the surface of your stone, allowing it to soak into the travertine. Repeat the process as often as you’d like and on a regular basis. You can use practically any natural oil when it comes to using it on travertine, the most popular being olive and sunflower.

Dye

If you’re looking to add some real color and not just deepen the look of your tile, you might be interested in dye. Many people don’t know this, but you can actually use wood dye (for kitchen cabinets and such) on travertine tile as well as the obvious. You can use dye in a natural way by mixing it into water and creating a dye solution. Add as much of any color dye until you have the desired darkness. Use a cloth to soak the solution into each stone, making sure it absorbs the dye. Be careful when dyeing travertine stone, however. Certain wood dyes can be toxic to use, so make sure you check the label before you buy anything.

Ink

Ink is another way to naturally color your stone tiles. It’s similar to dye in many ways, one being that it’s very concentrated and needs to be watered down before you can use it on travertine. When choosing the right ink for your tile, make sure you pick one that is specifically made for use on stone. You can find inks that are made with natural materials like chalks and tempera paint that will make coloring your tile completely safe. Apply a watered down ink solution the same way you would with a dye, and as smoothly as possible to avoid blotch marks and darker areas on each tile.

Stone Stain

Last, but certainly not least, you can use a stone stain for your travertine tile, who would have guessed? Unlike dyes and inks, stone stains are less effective for tile, as they simply stain the surface of the travertine as opposed to soaking into the whole piece. However, stone stains are known to penetrate the pores in travertine and seal the stone when dry, making the color last longer. Stains are also often resistant to water and other liquid spills, so it can be just as good a choice as the others. 

Keep in mind that in order for the stain or new color to adhere properly to your stone, the travertine must not have protective finish on it, or else the color won’t stick as effectively as possible.

We hope you keep these ideas in mind if you’re looking to change the color of your travertine tile. Instead of ripping it all out, you can do it yourself, save money, and bring the floor you once loved back to life.