How to Clean Terracotta Saltillo Tile Flooring

How to Clean Mexican Saltillo Tile and Terracotta Floors

Easy DIY Tips from the Pros

Brace yourself. Cleaning Terracotta Saltillo tile is not as complicated as some people think. I’ll give you three easy steps to follow so you can maintain beautiful terracotta floors..

So, before you dump a lot of money into professional cleaning services, let me help. Try these three easy steps to spruce up your floor.

Let’s jump right in.

Many moons ago, did your floor look as fresh and vibrant as this?  And now, is it dark, dull, and has dirty grout lines?

Just getting started? Check out this article on installing Saltillo on a wood subfloor!

Vacuum Terracotta Saltillo Tile

start with the basics

First Step – Vacuum.

Some people like to sweep.  As for me, I don’t understand sweeping in an indoor space.  The idea of pushing dirt and dust around so it collects in grout joints makes my skin crawl.  Buy a vacuum and suck up the dirt.  Get it off the floor and out of your home!

Vacuuming regularly reduces the chance that dust and dirt will absorb into your grout lines.  Have you ever wondered why old floors have dark grout lines?  That dark color is dirt, grime, dust, and all the gross things.  Please use a vacuum to clean Saltillo tile flooring.

I use something similar to this.

Inspect the Floor Tiles

rustic characteristics

Step 2 – Inspect.

As the years pass, your Saltillo flooring evolves with enhanced rustic characteristics.  That’s an excellent way of saying… you’ll see more bumps, chips, hairline cracks, and color variations.  These are not defects. They’re a natural part of any handmade terracotta tile.

Those rustic characteristics are part of the norm.  If you want to clean terracotta tile, then scrutinize these characteristics.  When you find a chip exposed to raw terracotta clay, apply a thin coat of sealer. This prevents the raw clay from flaking away or deteriorating.

Additionally, here’s some quick advice about the Saltillo tile sealer. Whatever tile sealer you choose must be chemically compatible with any other sealer you’ve applied on the floor previously.  Don’t create more maintenance by using an improper terracotta sealer, which can peel or flake off in time. When in doubt, test the sealer first in an unseen area. Give it a few days to dry and fully cure. Watch for any discoloration, peeling, flaking, or other weird things.

Pro tip: If your tile sealer has been exposed to freezing or extremely hot temperatures, contact the manufacturer to determine whether it should be discarded.

Also, I’m not a big fan of waxing Saltillo tile or terracotta floors.  Waxing these clay floors requires a lot of maintenance over time.  A fresh coat of wax and buffing is frequently needed as the wax dulls.

Why bother with this process when the lifespan of quality sealers exceeds 10+ years? Properly sealing Saltillo tile flooring can save you time and money and reduce ongoing maintenance. Check out sealers like TerraNano Saltillo Tile Topcoat Sealer or Crest Sealer. 

Should You Apply a Sealer or Strip Your Terracotta Saltillo Tile Floor?

vote YES for sealer!

We do not usually recommend stripping terracotta floors. The process is labor-intensive (as you can see in the video above), expensive, and very time-consuming, and the outcome isn’t usually successful. There are times to strip terracotta Saltillo tiles, but pursue any other option before resorting to the stripping process.

Wash ’em Up

Step 3 – Mop.

If you don’t have to strip or resurface your floor, move on to mopping!  That’s right… mop.  I like a string mop configuration when I tackle my floors.

I find that the string mop adequately gets into the grout joints.  Cleaning terracotta tile with a string mop is more manageable because these floors traditionally have wide grout joints.  Most joints range from 1/2 to 1 inch.  Also, the string mop doesn’t deteriorate like a foam or sponge mop.

Next, determine your cleaning agent.  To preserve the life of the Saltillo tile sealer, choose a cleaner that is not harsh. For example, dilute any detergent to lessen the impact of harsh chemicals.  I like using a water/vinegar mixture for my routine cleanings.

Since my floors have a durable Saltillo tile sealer coating, I use a bleach/water mixture a few times yearly for deep cleaning and disinfecting. With kids, dogs, and a front door open to many, my floors occasionally need a disinfectant overhaul.

Shop Online

Take a look at our tile samples store. You can order samples to see how they look in your space. Check out our assortment of Mexican tile and stone samples.

Browse Products

However, I don’t advise on the strength of bleach in universally cleaning Saltillo tile.  That recommendation applies only to floors with a sealer like TerraNano Saltillo Tile Sealer that can withstand strong chemicals.  Even still, I dilute it with water.  Also, some windows should be opened, and ceiling fans should be turned on to boost ventilation. Learn more about our advice for Spanish tile projects.

That’s it – just three simple steps to clean Saltillo tile flooring. Sometimes, there are reasons to refinish, resurface, or strip these floors.  But give your floor some TLC for basic cleaning or an occasional facelift.

→ Need the big guns? Check out How to Strip Saltillo Tile (& why you should try to avoid it!)

Oh! One last thing. Inspect your sealer once in a while.  If you pour a little water onto the Saltillo tile, and it absorbs (even if just a little), it’s time for a fresh coat of sealer.  Before applying that Saltillo tile sealer, follow these steps to scrub up the floor first!