natural stone needs to be re-sealed every few years & should never be cleaned with any form of acidic cleaner--like vinegar.

If you like the look but not the maintenance of sealing every year you could get a porcelain tile that looks like slate and travertine. Most big tile companies have porcelain that looks like stone and with the inkjet printers that are being used they have even better graphics than just a couple years ago. Some that I would recommend would be Emser Tile, Dal Tile, and Bedrosians, These and more are available at Hardwood Floors Outlet in Murrieta, Ca. HFOfloors.com