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.
