The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining Terracotta Tiles: Tips for Long-Lasting Beauty

Terracotta tiles are a timeless and classic material when it comes to using them indoors or outdoors. The rustic appeal of these tiles only gets better with age – and all around offer that finishing touch for your home. But still, they require maintenance and the occasional cleaning to ensure that it truly looks exactly like what you originally intended. This ultimate guide will help you all about terracotta tile maintenance so that they look as good tomorrow as when installed.

What Are Terracotta Tiles?

Terracotta tiles are easy to clean and maintain, thanks in part to the natural clay they are made from, which produces a warm, earthy color varying between reds to browns. This wood can be a bit porous, and it has its own distinctive appearance, but it also stains easily if the floor is not taken care of correctly. Admired for its organic, rustic beauty, wooden beams are versatile and functional to use with kitchens that make outdoor living appealing.

Before we talk about maintenance and cleaning, let’s pause for a quick chemistry lesson. Terracotta is more absorbable and made of natural clay, unlike ceramic or porcelain tile, which are less porous and denser. Which means that it must absorb liquids spilled on them very quickly — it serves water, wine or oils up-front without sealing grout.

Why Maintenance for Terracotta Tiles is Important?

 

Terracotta is designed with a shape which means it can be joined together to form one long story. Maintaining terracotta tiles will help ensure their longevity. Terracotta Tiles — The porous surface of terracotta means it can absorb liquids easily and will stain, discolor, or degrade over time. These are just some of the common problems that a well-maintained cleaning and sealing routine can prevent from damaging your tiles. Terracotta tile cleaning is much easier than you would have imagined. 

This way, you will ensure that your terracotta tiles are kept in their original status and maintain the color of them. However, sustained exposure to water or sunlight and foot traffic can eventually lead to faded color or cracked concrete. That said, providing the proper weekly care and terracotta tile can last decades — even looking better over time as it continues developing a patina.

Climate plays an important role in terracotta tile maintenance as well. Terracotta tiles that are sealed with a glossy or shiny finish may need to be cleaned and resealed more often, especially if you live in a wet or humid climate, since moist outdoor terracotta tends to grow mold under the surface of moss. Since terracotta can absorb and retain water, those in hot, dry climates may experience issues with the tiles drying out, which will lead to cracking or warping if they are not repeatedly sealed.

How to Clean Terracotta Tiles?

People often ask — How to clean Terracotta tiles. Proper cleaning of terracotta tiles is a bit complicated, as the goal is to maintain their natural beauty without ruining them. Here are some tips for terracotta tile cleaning.

1. Cleaning Your Terracotta Tiles on a Daily Basis

A cleaning routine for daily maintenance: To start, remove all of the dust and debris from your terracotta tiles with a soft broom or vacuum. Do not use abrasive brushes or cleaning pads, as they can scratch tiles.

Wet Cleaning: Occupy a wet mop with warm water. You can feel free to add a little pH-neutral cleaner, if necessary into the water. The chemicals used can damage the tiles, so refrain from using harsh detergents (the purplish dishwasher detergent is a no-no), acidic cleaners, or bleach. There are so many best cleaner for terracotta tiles which you can buy from stores.

Word to the wise: Never allow your mop head to be absolutely soaking wet, as too much water will permeate into those grouted areas of the tile that have not been sealed and cause harm over a period of time. However, if you use too much water and do not adequately dry the tiles afterwards they can also leave behind ugly water stains.

For outdoor terracotta tiles, a simple search with water could eliminate dirt and dust. However, the mildest detergent on tiles mixed with water and scrub would clean up all particles from the tile surface without harming it.

2. Deep Cleaning 

This tile is one of the most popularly used tiles. Hence, regular upkeep to stop stains, remove organic deposits like moss or mold would kill any baby spores before they had time to colonize. In time, dirt and grim will start to build up in the grooves of your tiles and grout lines. 

• You should combine warm water with a pH-neutral tile cleaner or clean-water mix borax dish soapy jeans to form.
• Apply The Homemade Cleaning Solution Onto The Tile With A Soft Brush or Mop
• Use a soft brush to get rid of the embedded dirt, and focus on scrubbing under nooks between tiles.
• Clean the tiles with a wet rag several times to remove soap bubbles.
• If your tiles are simply filthy, you might need to take first steps several times over or consider a steam cleaner that can do the job of taking out dirt without harming tile.

Tip: Wipe down tiles after cleaning to prevent water spots and stains from forming. It can also cause grout to become damaged over time, requiring costly repairs.

Also, in case the dark spots are stubborn on outdoor terracotta tiles, put a pressure washer nozzle with the lowest setting to wash away grime from the pores of every tile. I reiterate: use gentle pressure to avoid cracking the tiles!

3. Cleaning Stains from Terracotta Tiles

Since terracotta tiles are porous, they will absorb spills and become discolored if not sealed properly. 

Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the area, let stand for 2 minutes or so, then scrub carefully with a soft brush(wine stains only). However, a more difficult stain will likely only require a safe, professional cleaner for terracotta tiles on harmful amounts of residue left behind eg. Ink or paint etc. Before applying any aggressive cleaner to the entire floor, you should always do a patch test in a hidden section.

Furthermore, a problem that outdoor terracotta tiles suffer from is due to the formation of moss or algae, mostly in shaded/damp locations. Just mix a little warm water with baking soda and apply the paste to your tiles using an old toothbrush. A diluted household bleach solution can be used to deep clean, but make sure you rinse everything well, or the salt in your formulation will discolor.

Terracotta Tiles Require Sealing: Find Out Why

If you are planning for terracotta tile flooring, then floor sealing is necessary. The process of sealing terracotta tiles is very important if you want to maintain their look and durability. Terracotta tiles will seep moisture without a good seal, which means cracks, staining, and issues over time. Sealing maintains terracotta tile cleaning by providing a protective guard against dirt & spills.

How to Seal Terracotta Tiles?

Seal your terracotta tiles by doing the following:

Thoroughly clean the tiles–  Make sure you thoroughly dry and free of any dirt or dust before applying any form of sealant. If there is any dirt or residue on the tile, it will be stuck under that sealant.

Selecting the Correct Terracotta Tile Sealer — There are two primary terracotta tile sealants available: penetrating seals and surface coats. Penetrating sealers, which travel into the tiles and protect them from the inside, and Surface Sealers form a coating on top of the stone tiles.

Apply the Sealant – Using a paintbrush or roller, apply an even coat of sealant for tiles. Repeat the process with grout lines as well. Dry, following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding curing.

Reseal if needed: Depending on the type of sealant and how much use your tiling areas (either floor or wall) receive, you need to reseal in every 2/3 years.

Best practice: When you seal the area, make sure to apply it evenly so there are no streaks and allow adequate time for complete drying before foot traffic.

What Are The Advantages Of Sealing Terracotta Tiles?

There are many benefits to sealing terracotta tiles:

• The sealant will create a barrier to help prevent any spills from going through the tile’s porous surface and instead make it easier to clean up.
• Water Resistance: If properly sealed, this tile will not absorb water and is extremely resistant to cracking or damage.
• More resilient: Sealed terracotta tiles are hard-wearing and can withstand the wear and tear that comes with high foot traffic.
• Enhanced appearance: A sealant can deepen the original color of terracotta tiles, making them look richer and more colorful.
• They also safeguard terracotta tiles in outdoor areas from the damage that UV rays can do to them, causing them to fade or become brittle with age. If you have terracotta tiles that are out in the sun for most of the day, I would certainly suggest using a UV-resistant sealer.

How to Care for Terracotta Tiles?

Regular terracotta tile maintenance is also necessary to keep the tiles clean and sealed to keep them looking their finest. Keep your terracotta looking good for longer with these two things.

1. Regular Sweeping and Mopping

Terracotta tiles, and any other type of clay-based material, are porous, which can lead them to tarnish over time once dirt gets inside the surface. To keep glue, paste, and grout stains out of the finish on your tiles, regularly sweep or vacuum them! Warm water and a mild pH-neutral cleaner are recommended when mopping to prevent any deterioration of the surface.

In places that are prone to high traffic, you can wet mop and, in the general case, use a dry mop twice a week so as to remove dirt from the floor. Not only will cleaning your tiles help protect them, but they should also keep looking new and fresh.

2. Refrain From Using Strong Cleaners and Chemicals

When cleaning your terracotta in Derbyshire, we recommend you avoid using anything that could attack or break the seal on your terracotta floor. Never use bleach, ammonia, or an acidic cleaner, as they will erode away at the surface and strip off any sealant. Instead, use any mild pH-neutral detergents that are safe to clean terracotta.

Most home remodeling & improvement stores carry tile cleaners designed for natural stone and terracotta that are not strong enough to damage the surface.

3. Heavy furniture and tiles make for a deadly combination.

If you have terracotta tile flooring, then place some hefty furniture legs on felt pads to prevent scratches and dents. This is true historically for terracotta tiles that go in living rooms or dining areas with heavier furniture where you might move things frequently.

Additionally, you can lay rugs or mats in certain heavy traffic areas to prevent the floor from  damages, and they also make those spaces look more attractive.

4. Resealing as Needed

One should reseal their terracotta tiles for every few years . Terracotta needs a fresh coat of seal in high-traffic areas every 2—3 years. Make sure to inspect your tiles for wear or damage in the sealant and reseal them if you see any damage.

Pro tip: In the case of resealing, one should clean the floor tiles meticulously before resealing or when dirt gets in between the tiles.

Conclusion

Terracotta tiles are hard to look after; then again, it really is not a difficult task and could be easily sorted out. If you take care of your terracotta as I suggested in my approach to daily cleaning, deep cleaning followed by sealing, they will remain beautiful and durable for many years. You may be tiling your home or just wanting to bring a tired old floor back to the abode, but if you seek the appearance of terracotta tiles, it is vital that maintenance remains constant.

These tips will not only keep your investment safe but also add a touch of elegance to even the oddest design, making terracotta tiles just right for everything from landscape architecture style country manors. Terracotta sealing provides protection from water, stains, and wear that regular maintenance alone cannot provide for your terracotta tiles, preserving their fresh-from-the-kiln appearance while allowing natural aging and patina to develop.