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Mexican Saltillo Tile Cleaning & Restoration
Techniques and Tips For Maintaining Your Timeless Saltillo Tile
How To Clean And Maintain Mexican Saltillo Tile
Saltillo tile is a stunning, timeless design choice that we love. Before jumping into the installation process, it’s important to understand the maintenance requirements ahead of you. Here's a complete guide to cleaning, maintaining, and resealing Saltillo tile.
What is Saltillo Tile?
Local craftspeople in the Mexican town of Saltillo handmade clay tiles.
The clay comes from a local riverbed, the only place in the world to produce this particular type of clay. This clay from the riverbed in Mexico is very strong. It's a great choice for tile flooring because it's resilient.
Did You Know
Saltillo tiles must come from this area, just like how champagne can only be from a certain region in France.
Mexican families have been making this tile for years. Even with improvements in manufacturing, the traditional method of making this terracotta tile has stayed the same since the start.
Handmade, and with its authentic rustic appearance, Saltillo tile naturally ages over time. After all, it’s a 100% natural product. Saltillo tiles will change in color over time.
If you have installed your Saltillo tile, let’s say, 3-4 years ago it might be time for a deep clean, or even a reseal.
How Do I Maintain Saltillo Tile?
Saltillo tile is quite forgiving with regular maintenance, as long as you are willing to embrace patina. You just need to sweep and mop your Saltillo floor with mild detergents and water. You may use a Ph-Neutral flooring cleaning product you can find at the store
Avoid heavy mopping, steam cleaning or anything that would create large amounts of moisture. Our matte and satin sealed Saltillo tiles need more care and can stain easily. In contrast, our gloss sealed Saltillo tiles are easier to maintain and less prone to staining.
Remember to choose the right type of sealant based on your maintenance preferences. Gloss sealed tiles are a better option for those looking for low maintenance flooring.
Contact Marble Stone Polish For A Professional Cleaning or Restoration!
When Should I Reseal My Saltillo Tile?
The outcome will depend on foot traffic and how often someone has cleaned the Saltillo tile. Typically, after 2-4 years, it’s time for a reseal.
Here’s a simple test to try: Pour a little water onto the Saltillo tile. If it absorbs the water, even if just a little, then it’s time for a fresh coat of sealer.
Do I Need To Strip & Reseal My Saltillo Tile?
If you see your Saltillo tile sealer wearing away, consider a strip and reseal. Stripping and resealing Saltillo tile can be a labor-intensive process. If you regularly clean your Saltillo tile and reseal every 2-4 years, you could avoid stripping and resealing. So, be kind to your floors!
How Do I Reseal My Saltillo Tile?
Once your Saltillo tile starts absorbing water in the test above, consider resealing. Applying a new layer of topcoat sealer protects the grout, and prevents the tile from staining. It also increases the lifespan of the pre-seal.
To reseal, first clean your floor of dust and dirt. We recommend vacuuming your floor. To reseal, you will need a yellow application sponge (found at hardware stores), clean, lint-free rags, and your chosen sealer.
For a traditional Saltillo tile look, use our Ultra-Low VOC Sealer or a water-based sealer on the installed tile. Water-based sealers, like the Stonepro Mexican Tile Sealer, will add a protective layer and create a high gloss sheen.
If you prefer a matte sheen, we recommend applying stonepro Sealer to the surface. Saltillo tile topcoat sealed with Porous Plus will be easier to reseal than a water-based sealed tile.
Apply the sealer to the clean floor with the application sponge. Give it a few days to dry and fully cure. Then clean and maintain regularly with soap and water.