How To Clean A Very Dirty Terracotta Tile Floor

Want to know how to clean terracotta floor tiles? Beautifully rustic terra cotta is a great pick for rural and period properties, and has a lovely, textured and warm feel underfoot. It does become prone to stains and watermarks over time, besides every bit succumbing to damp and mould. Find out how to restore your terra cotta tiles to their former glory.

If cleaning terra cotta tiles is function of a bigger renovation projection, observe out everything nearly renovating a house in our adept guide. Discover more cleaning tips, advice and footstep by steps on our dedicated hub page.

What are terracotta tiles?

Terracotta refers to a type of ceramic pottery, which is made using the kiln firing technique. Fabricated from scarlet clay, terracotta is characterised by its natural, unglazed finish.

When terracotta is used to make floor tiles, this tin lead to problems over time, including staining and mould, because the unglazed stop leaves the material porous. Y'all can utilize a glaze to your terra cotta tiles, but this will change the finish and feel of the tile.

Examination the porosity of your terracotta tiles

Test your terracotta tiles for porosity by placing h2o in the middle of a tile. If, afterward 15 minutes, the h2o has soaked into the flooring, the tiles volition demand to exist impregnated with boiled linseed oil. This volition darken the tiles a little and then, to become an idea of the finished colour, wet the tiles to assess the effect.

How to seal terracotta tiles

Every bit these tiles have been laid on top of a damp-proof membrane it's safety to apply a floor sealer that volition merely crave sweeping or vacuuming to preclude dirt and grit becoming ingrained. An occasional wipe with a damp mop will freshen up the terminate – check every year whether your tiles are becoming porous again.

To choose the best mop, consult our guide to the best mops for tiles.

Related articles: How to cull flooring tiles | How to make clean and seal stone floor

How to clean and seal terra cotta flooring tiles

You lot will demand:

Stone flooring cleaner
Scrubbing brush
Mop and bucket
Vacuum cleaner
Boiled linseed oil and paintbrush
Oil-based Floor sealer
Genu pads

Restoring terracotta floor tiles steps 1 and 2

1. Scrub away any dirt

Use a solution of 25 per cent rock floor cleaner in a bucket of warm water. Utilize lightly with a mop or sponge. Leave to work for 15 minutes or so, so requite the floor a good scrub. On stubborn stains use the product corking. Wipe off clay and grease and rinse with warm h2o. Use an old towel or dry mop to dry out the surface.

2. Ready the tiles for oiling

Permit the tiles to dry thoroughly before applying the oil. I left the floor for 3 days, putting downward dust sheets to protect it from spills. I then vacuumed the floor paying particular attending to the grouting and whatever nooks and crannies that might be harbouring dust that could spoil the finished floor.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles steps 3 and 4

3. Apply boiled linseed oil

Boiled linseed oil is the traditional finish for these unglazed tiles and gives a soft sheen. To encourage the oil to be absorbed into the tiles leave the tin in a warm identify overnight and choose a warm dry out twenty-four hours or put some heating on a few hours beforehand. Utilise the oil liberally with a paintbrush.

iv. Redistribute any excess oil

Wait for about xx minutes and check whether in that location are pools of linseed oil lying on the surface. If there are, take your brush and get over the floor redistributing the surplus oil. When you've finished wipe the castor on a rag to take off every bit much oil as possible and clean with white spirit.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles steps 5 and 6

5. Exit to dry earlier a second coat

Later another 20 minutes take some rags and wipe away whatsoever oil that remains on the surface. If this is immune to remain it will congeal, stay sticky and concenter dirt and dust. Leave the tiles for at least eight hours before applying a second coat. Oily rags can pose a fire risk. Lay them outside to dry earlier disposing of them.

6. Seal with a protective finish

Await at least 24 hours before applying a protective coat of stone flooring sealer using a brush. Make certain that the production is oil rather than water-based, as a water-based product won't be suitable for applying over the oiled tiles. The choice of a colour enhancer seal brings out the warm dirt tones.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles steps 7 and 8

seven. Test the floor over again for watertightness

After 8 hours, test whether the tiles are notwithstanding porous by spilling a few drops of water on to the floor. After 10 minutes check whether the beads are all the same proud or whether they accept slumped. If the tiles are absorbing rather than resisting the water, utilise a 2d coat of cease. Leave for 24 hours before using the floor.

8. How to maintain terracotta floor tiles

The cease volition be water and grease resistant, but notwithstanding take the time to wipe up nutrient and drink spills as they occur. Vacuum or sweep the floor regularly so that dirt cannot become ingrained. Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop. Carry out a water droplet test one time a yr and reapply boiled linseed oil if necessary.

More flooring expertise:

Restoring and cleaning encaustic floor tiles
How to prep and tile a flooring

Source: https://www.realhomes.com/advice/terracotta-floor-tiles#:~:text=Scrub%20away%20any%20dirt,stains%20apply%20the%20product%20neat.

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