Terracotta tiles have been used for over two millennia in various parts of the world. In fact, the word "terracotta" means "baked earth" in Italian. Ancient Romans frequently incorporated a variety of terracotta tiles into the design of their villas and palaces for many centuries. Terracotta tiles are generally thicker than modern tiles, providing them with greater strength and durability.

One significant drawback of terracotta is its lack of a glazed surface, which makes it prone to quickly accumulating dirt and grime. If you have owned a terracotta floor before, you are likely familiar with this issue. However, the solution lies in ensuring the proper sealer is applied.

The photographs on this page were taken from a job in Haddington, where the terracotta tiles were deeply soiled, proving extremely difficult to clean. Typically, we recommends applying multiple coats of sealer for Terracotta tiles, in this scenario, 7 coats were used to adequately protect the floor.

Cleaning Terracotta Tiles:

To deeply clean terracotta tiles, start by removing any existing sealer or wax layers. Allow the solution you use to soak in for at least 15 minutes, then add more water and work the mixture into the tiles using a buffing machine with a black pad or a polly brush. If a buffing machine is unavailable, a traditional deck brush or hand-held scrubbing brush can be used, though the process will take longer. Use a wet vacuum to remove the soiled cleaning solution, then rinse the floor with water to eliminate any remaining traces of the cleaner.

For removing dirt, ingrained soiling, or topical water-based acrylic sealers, use a diluted solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean (1 part Pro-Clean to 3 parts water). This specialized tile and grout cleaner is designed to address grease, grime, and general dirt buildup, as well as strip off synthetic and acrylic sealers and other floor finishes. Apply the solution using a deck brush or a buffing machine with a black pad.

For particularly stubborn areas with heavy dirt or sealer buildup, follow up with Nanotech HBU, ensuring the tile is wetted before application.

A product called Tile Doctor Remove and Go is an effective option for removing impregnating sealers. It can be applied undiluted and used in a similar manner to Pro-Clean. While Pro-Clean is better suited for removing topical sealers, if the type of sealer used is unknown, you may need to utilize both products.

After the cleaning process, the floor's pH level will be alkaline, so it's best to neutralize it by giving the floor an acid rinse using Grout Cleanup. This product offers additional benefits, such as cleaning the grout, removing old grout smears or hazing, neutralizing any alkaline salts, and preparing the surface for better sealer adhesion. Rinse the solution with water and remove it with a wet vacuum. Allow the floor to fully dry before applying a sealer.

Sealing Terracotta Tiles:

For sealing Terracotta tiles, we recommend using a topical sealer called Seal and Go, which generally leaves a satin finish and helps prevent dirt and grime from penetrating the clay. Impregnating sealers, which typically result in a matte finish, are not as effective for the highly porous nature of materials like Mexican terracotta. We advise that terracotta floors, especially in high-traffic areas, require regular sealer reapplication, typically once or twice a year.

When dealing with Mexican (hand-made) Terracotta tiles, it's important to note that the quality and porosity levels can vary significantly between individual tiles, making them challenging to clean, seal, and maintain. Even with the right equipment, products, and experience, we cannot guarantee a satisfactory outcome, as the inherent low quality of this type of terracotta can be difficult to overcome.

For French, Italian, or Spanish (semi-hand-made) Terracotta tiles, the manufacturing process and kiln quality are generally superior, resulting in tiles that are easier to clean, seal, and maintain, though at a higher production cost.

Regardless of the Terracotta type, once the floor has been cleaned and dried, apply Tile Doctor Seal & Go sealer using a paint-pad applicator and tray. Mexican or Spanish terracotta tiles may require up to 8 or 9 coats of sealant, while French, Italian, or Spanish tiles typically need between 6 and 8 coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

Maintenance of Terracotta Tiles:

For regular maintenance cleaning, use a sealer-friendly product like Neutral Tile Cleaner, which has been formulated to keep sealed stone and tile surfaces fresh with a pleasant lemon scent.

Efflorescence - Terracotta Tiles:

Efflorescence, a whitish bloom that can develop on the tile surface, is often caused by salts coming into contact with the tile from an external source, such as a sand and cement mix used as an adhesive. A diluted solution called Grout Clean-up can provide temporary relief, but the efflorescence may reappear until the salt crystals have fully evaporated, which can take several weeks. In more severe cases, Tile Doctor's Acid Gel product can be used to combat the efflorescence issue.