And now, is it dark, dull, and have dirty grout lines? I have a steam cleaner, my husband thinks it will remove the finish. Another way of … This leads me to my next topic. Some silk items can also be steam cleaned with caution, but it isn’t suggested because the heat could ruin them. Disintegrating Saltillo tile? Step 1: Clean Tiles. The first time I used it on the tile I saw a huge difference. We got a lot of calls from Florida saltillo tile owners after their recent hurricane telling us their tiles had dried and turned white. Even still, I dilute it with water. Mexican Tile Cheat Sheet (Everything ‘important’ to Know about Saltillo Tile), Terracotta Tile (The Complete Guide & Video) | Terracotta Floor Tiles Tips, Tell Your Story | Riviera Mexican Saltillo Tile | St Augustine FL, Tell Your Story | Hexagon Saltillo Tile | Mexican Tile in Ohio, How to Seal Saltillo Tile (Updated) | Mexican Tile Cleaning & Maintenance. Before cleaning Saltillo tiles you should try to determine if there has been a topical sealer applied to the tiles. Ammonia can unevenly … Don’t create more maintenance by using improper sealer, which can peel or flake off in time. All Rights Reserved. Should You Strip Your Saltillo Tile Floor? DFW Steam cleaning is trained in the proper maintenance of this beautiful tile flooring product. And for more information about cleaning rugs, carpet and hard surface flooring such as tile, grout, stone and hardwood, please call the Zerorez office at 949-387-2222 or visit www.zerorezsocal.com. If sealed correctly, you can be a little more aggressive with the cleaning and as long as you aren’t letting acid or ammonia sit for too long they SHOULD be okay. We did this, and then were able to reseal ourselves. Do not leave them damp and periodically (2-5 years) you should (or you tile restoration company should) deep clean the floors and apply fresh new coats of sealer to keep the protection and durability built up. Get it off the floor and out of your home! Also, I’m not a big fan of waxing Saltillo tile floors. For a little over $400 you will have a vapor steam cleaner that you can use throughout your house. 2 Fill a bucket with 1 … How to deep-clean your textured tile & grout. You can go to our Resource pages of our website to see a list of manufacturers who you can contact. Next, determine your cleaning agent. they ask me, What Is The Best Sealer For Saltillo Tile? Apply a coat of urethane sealer to the tiles to give the paint a hard, durable finish. Can you steam clean saltillo tile california restoration house window gl replacement steam clean tiles what not to clean with steam cleaners sylvane how a steam mop can make your tile flooring look brand new tile floor steam cleaning grout services how to use a steam mop on tiles properly sweethomepros. Usually with a flood, the standing water will find its way into the cracks and crevices and when it manages to get under the tile, the problem can be unfixable. When you sand the surface of Saltillo tile you ruin the integrity of the tile and get into the soft clay. Whether you’ve purchased from Rustico before, or you’re considering how to make your home beautiful with our products for the first time, this blog is for you. Hiring a professional cleaning service that is trained to clean Saltillo Tile floors can be an alternative option for you if you are unsure or just don’t have the time. If you found this article before you made the decision to steam clean you tile consider yourself lucky because you dodged a fatal bullet, that would have lead to you probably wanting to rip out the floor, along with your hair. Your saltillo tile sealer will most likely turn white and hazy, dull, and begin to peel. Besides being a wife, mom, and lover of Jesus, I’m an expert and enthusiast in the world of Mexican tile and stone. Brass tip brushes work wonders on the grout but you must scrub the grout and wipe dry with rags, towels, or Terry cloths, while the grout is still wet. It’s easier to clean Saltillo tile with a string mop because these floors traditionally have wide grout joints. Now and then is see outdoor saltillos incorrectly sealed with the shiny sealers for indoors. Some people like to sweep. Also, the string mop doesn’t deteriorate the way a foam or sponge mop does. Then you may want to look into restoration which can cost you anywhere from $2.00 per square foot to over $10.00 per square foot depending on the quality you are looking for. Sweep regularly and mop with a mild household detergent, preferably a non-ionic detergent designed to clean greasy dirt without leaving residue on the tile's surface. Steam cleaning will damage Saltillo Pavers. Minimize foaming. This was done to serve the purpose of what the penetrating sealer accomplishes for the tiles now. So, before dumping a lot of money into professional cleaning services, let me help. The best that can be hoped for when cleaning Saltillo Pavers with a steam cleaner is that it will simply not get them clean. Once upon a time, installers would soak saltillo tile in water before setting it with thinset. Leave a comment below! let me know if you found this article helpful and if you have any other questions, or you are ready to get on our best schedule to bring your tiles back to life call or email. Clean the floor in sections and change water often or you will wonder why your grout is so dirty after only 6 months. I don’t advise the strength of bleach to universally clean Saltillo tile, however. A mop is okay indoors but be sure to change your water often and use brass brushes for the grout inside and outside, NOT steel, brass. Be sure tile is clean and dry before sealing- Wait at least 24 hours, or more. Saltillo Tile floor restoration in action by the pros at Arizona Tile and Grout Care. Flaking and peeling sealer? When in doubt, test sealer first in an unseen area. You can usually look at the surface of the tiles and grout lines and see if a clear glossy sealer has been applied.Thanks for great tips. Remove loose dirt. Learn a little more about our company and how we operate. Then seal the tile with an appropriate sealer and follow their application instructions. Additionally, here’s some quick advice about Saltillo tile sealer. The second time, it was like they were brand new. To preserve the life of the Saltillo tile sealer, choose a cleaner that is not harsh. But here is why it isn’t recommended: Technically, a steam cleaner can clean large spaces, but it isn’t the most effective way to do so. What you want to do is get a neutral cleaner and a green scrubby pad that you can get here or your local store. Should You Apply Sealer or Strip Saltillo Tile? An internet search found some statements that steam cleaners may or will damage saltillo tiles, but without reasoning nor evidence. For one, the sealers for outdoor saltillos are different then the ones for indoor saltillos. Like all saltillo tile refinishing, the cleaning is done by hand. Always seal Mexican tile floors with the appropriate sealant to maximize life span. If you have tried the steam-cleaning method above, and your textured tiles or grout lines are still dirty, you may have to do some heavier scrubbing. Cleaning Unsealed Tile. Authentic Saltillo tiles are hand made from a special clay of terracotta found in the Mexican city of Saltillo. Anything on the sealer can be fixed but when you start to wear down the actual tile the only fix ix to replace those ruined tiles. I see many articles advising people to sand the tile if the sealer cannot be removed, but this is HORRIBLE advice! I see people using ammonia to clean their saltillos. 5 Things You Should (Not) Do With Saltillo Tile Floors, The Ultimate Guide to Saltillo Tile Flooring – Mexican Tile (Photos & Video), Spanish Style Bathroom Ideas & Decorating Tips, Cement Tile MeaLu Collection – Stock Designs, Cement Tile Traditional Collection – Customizable. The best way to maintaining saltillo tiles (considering they are already clean) is to use neutral cleaner and a mop. If you are thinking about steam cleaning your saltillo tiles DO NOT DO IT. A lot of times old neglected sealer gets worn down from all the foot traffic and what you think is a patch of dirt is actually tile disintegrating. Water might make the place you cleaned dirty if you started from the bottom. I’m a skinny, white girl who knows more about this stuff than nearly anyone out there. The idea of pushing dirt and dust around, so it collects in grout joints makes my skin crawl. Traditional methods to clean grout and tiles generally include demanding labour as well as chemical products. Prime the tiles with an epoxy based primer. As the years’ pass, your Saltillo flooring evolves with enhanced rustic characteristics. Don’t be fooled by the cheaper price to use steam. You can just try it. Are your tiles just unclean able? If you are cleaning tiled walls, start at the top, then go downwards. Have a mop and bucket of clean water handy for rinsing. It is suggested to use an alkaline cleaner on Saltillo tiles, no matter if a topical cleaner has been used on them or not. Apply two (2), or more coats of Glaze`N Seal Ole® Sealer to tile and grout. Use hot water, some of that tile lab, and green scrubbies. can restore your old Saltillo tile to look new. Next, determine your cleaning agent. Please, just use a vacum to clean Saltillo tile flooring. That’s a nice way of saying… you’ll see more bumps, chips, hairline cracks, and color variations. Clean as you grout to minimize water contact on tile. Also, open some windows and turn on ceiling fans to boost ventilation. Using steam for your carpet is ok, but for these fragile clay tiles, steam is a disaster. Apply a coat of oil-based paint to the tiles in the desired color and finish. If this sounds like what you are looking for check out my youtube channel where you can see over 100 videos of floors just like yours being restored back to like new condition here. Look closely at the grout lines, if you can see a clear glossy sealer, then an application of topical sealer was used at one time or another. I have small brick Saltillo throughout my house. Otherwise, the tiles are highly absorbent and can easily be damaged. Steam cleaning is NEVER recommended. This "Steam Clean Saltillo Tile Floors" graphic has 17 dominated colors, which include Gehenna's Gold, Mid Tan, Skullcrusher Brass, Medium Jungle Green, Wool Tweed, Namakabe Brown, Bleached Bone, Worn Wooden, Snowflake, Silver, Quartz, Frontier, Mythical Blue, Cool Waters, Castaway Cove, Blue Tapestry, Alexandrian Sky. If the Saltillo tiles have never been sealed then they will soak up lots of cleaning solution so keep adding cleaning solution as needed to keep the tiles saturated for the 15 minute dwell time. I find that the string mop adequately gets into the grout joints. Do not soak saltillo tile. Also, the string mop doesn’t deteriorate the way a foam or sponge mop does. I *think* it must have been a Home Depot floor. How to clean Saltillo Tile floors and keep them clean and shiny. That dark color is dirt, grime, dust, and all the gross things. We actually use ammonia to clean saltillo tiles AFTER we’ve stripped them because it removes the last of the film left after stripping. These tiles are super porous like sponges and they start to disintegrate rapidly especially if there is a lot of foot traffic such as in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Cleaning saltillo tile once stripped with a solvent, removing all of the old finish out of the grout and off of the saltillo tiles completely, you can NOW use that tile lab stripper to clean the floor. Click here: Cleaners and Sealers I have it in my home and I’ve been in the biz for many years. Most joints range from 1/2 – 1 inch. First of all you must determine what type of stain it is and is it actually sitting on the sealer or on the raw  porous tile. The topic about how to clean Saltillo tile is not as hard as some people think. I recommend a mild, natural abrasive: baking soda. Home Page > saltillo tile refinishing > Can You Steam Clean Saltillo Tile. With kids, dogs, and a front door open to many, my floors need a disinfectant overhaul on occasion. Water is the enemy these porous clay tiles and steam mopping them will surely ruin the tile and the sealer. It is then cured and shaped by hand, sun-dried, and fired in a kiln. Great for clothes and keeping things bright but it is just not the answer for your saltillo tile, stop using bleach to clean you tile. A  lot of advice out there is false, like I see articles claiming that you should use ammonia. Nonetheless, I want to take care of it, it's it pretty good shape. Many moons ago, did your floor look fresh and vibrant like this? Waxing these clay floors requires a lot of maintenance over time. As the wax dulls, a fresh coat of wax and buffing is required frequently. If Saltillo tiles are soaked in water, you can expect to deal with efflorescence issues throughout the lifespan of your floor. Try these 3 easy steps to spruce up your floor. Bleach has harmful effects on your sealer and can ruin your grout. Sometimes there are reasons to refinish, resurface, or strip these types of floors. Check out sealers like TerraNano Saltillo Tile Topcoat Sealer or Crest Sealer. If you are thinking about steam cleaning your saltillo tiles DO NOT DO IT. → Need the big guns? Tile floors are pretty much a dust magnet and if there’s one thing you can count on in Tucson, it’s dust. If you want to clean Saltillo tile, then inspect these characteristics carefully. Mix equal parts alkaline cleaner and hot water, and pour directly onto the tiles—working on one small area at a time. That’s not saying that you shouldn’t maintain the floors with periodical cleaning and a solid maintenance schedule, but your problem is cut in half when the tiles are properly sealed in the first place. And since my floors have a durable Saltillo tile sealer coating, I use a bleach/water mixture a few times each year for deep cleaning & disinfecting. Grout according to grout manufacturer directions. If you feel we might be able to help you either clean, restore or seal your Saltillo, terra cotta or adobe floor, please contact us. http://www.UltraSteamCleaning.com - Cleaning Saltillo tile and grout in an older kitchen in Durango, Colorado...see old tile shine! The model I have is the TR5. Read on to know how to use a steam cleaner to wash and disinfect grout in the most effective way possible. Not sure what products you need? Cleaning and resurfacing should be performed periodically on any Paver installation to prolong the life of the tile. You still should use a neutral cleaner and a nylon brush for outdoors, and a neutral cleaner and green stubbies for indoors on the glossy sealers when they need a deep cleaning. Have you ever wondered why old floors have dark grout lines? Whatever tile sealer you choose to apply must be chemically compatible with any other sealer you’ve applied on the floor previously. Can You Steam Clean Saltillo Tile | California Tile Restoration. If you pour a little water onto the Saltillo tile and it absorbs (even if just a little), then it’s time for a fresh coat of sealer. These are not defects. Then you can just put on a product like Armstrong Tile polish which will make them glossy. Although the bottle says good for inside and outside, shiny sealers have a strong tendency to flake and peel, turn white, efflorescence and open up the tile for damage, mold and algae growth. This prevents the raw clay from flaking away or deteriorating. Easy and effective way to clean Saltillo Tile Floors and grout. Check out How to Strip Saltillo Tile (& why you should try to avoid doing it!). Brace yourself. Use a soft brush or cleaning pad to gently scrub the tile. Tags: best way to maintain saltillo tiles, can you steam clean saltillo tile, how do you get stains out of saltillo tile, indoor vs outdoor saltillo tile cleaning, saltillo tile refinishing, saltillo tile restoration, what is the best way to maintain saltillo tiles, why you should never sand your saltillo tiles, Can you stain terracotta tile? You should not allow the alkaline cleaning solution to dry on the Saltillo tiles so you will need to continually apply the cleaner to the tile floor while the Saltillo tiles are being cleaned. If you scrub grout till its dry then try to wipe it you will be disappointed. The process should be done in no hurry. Background: I am having a hard time finding an efficient way for regular cleaning of Saltillo tiles. The only real way to fix the tiles if they can’t be cleaned is to strip them using a chemical process. Even if you manage to clean the spot and the sealer was peeling you still have to get those tiles completely sealed ,and sealing over a little patch just isn’t going to cut it. In fact, I’ll give you 3 easy steps to follow. If your saltillo tiles are not coming clean and you have tried everything including cleaning your saltillo tiles the right way then it may be time for refinishing and restoration. Don’t try to seal a whole tile that has patches of sealer missing without completely stripping that tile down because it will peel worse. You need to try and determine whether or not a topical sealer has been applied to your Saltillo tile before you clean them for the first time. Even though nine times out of ten you can’t see it in the air, it’s there. You may have tried steam cleaning these surfaces, and you may have been somewhat successful. If you don’t have to strip or resurface your floor, then move on to mopping! Save yourself time and money and reduce ongoing maintenance by properly sealing Saltillo tile flooring. Inspect your sealer once in a while. Oh… one last thing. It is important to make sure that the entire surface of the area you are going to seal is free from any dirt. These people usually don’t specifically deal with Saltillo tiled on a daily basis. Use baking soda & vinegar to deep-clean dirty tile & grout Step 1: Vacuum or sweep. Our professional tips and advice can save you a lot of time, money and frustration when cleaning, sealing and restoring your tile, grout and stone. That recommendation applies only to floors with a sealer like TerraNano Saltillo Tile Sealer that can withstand the strong chemical. Personally, I like to use a water/vinegar mixture for my normal cleanings. Using a steam handheld cleaner will be easy for you; move it anywhere you want to clean. Regularly but lightly cleaning a sealed Mexican tile floor is easy and requires few materials. Steam mops offer a soap- and chemical-free way to clean various types of hard flooring, but unglazed tiles aren’t one … It’s easier to clean Saltillo tile with a string mop because these floors traditionally have wide grout joints. When you find a chip that is exposed to raw terracotta clay, apply a thin coat of sealer across it. What should I use to clean it? There, Are you still falling for the clean your floors with, Copyright California Tile Restoration 2013, cleaning your saltillo tiles the right way, how do you get stains out of saltillo tile, what is the best way to maintain saltillo tiles, why you should never sand your saltillo tiles, How To Clean Saltillo Tile With Vinegar & Terracotta and Talavera Tile Design, Who We Are | Mexican Paver Restoration & Refinishing. All cleaners should be PH7 (Clean and Sparkle), do not use ammonia, vinegar or harsh scrubs, as they will damage the finish. Efflorescence is a sure  fire way for us to tell that there is water damage and thise tiles may have to be replaced. Can You Use a Steam Mop on Unglazed Tile?. Seal. © 2021 Rustico Tile & Stone. Steam cleaning has truly revolutionized this cleaning task as it is now quick, efficient, and ecological. TerraNano Saltillo Tile Topcoat Sealer or Crest Sealer. How to Paint Over Saltillo Tile Use a terracotta stripper to remove any old sealer or wax that is on the tiles. Do you have any tips or tricks on how to clean Saltillo tile flooring? The penetrating sealers for outdoor saltillo tile makes the water bead up like water sitting on glass. Before applying that Saltillo tile sealer, follow these steps to scrub up the floor first! There are an extraordinary amount of prints in the tile, bird, raccoon, something that looks like a beer bottle, you get the idea. Many industrious DIYers can clean, seal and restore their tile and grout themselves with some knowledge and hard work. High traffic areas should be protected with runners and area rugs with a soft backing or pad. Another important tip no one else is talking about, is that you should buff the saltillo tiles completely dry after cleaning. Use thin, even coats. A Saltillo tile floor gives your home a uniquely attractive look. Water is the enemy these porous clay tiles and steam mopping them will surely ruin the tile and the sealer. The tile and grout looked amazing afterwards and it was super cheap because I used a groupon. Not all floors are qual and you should not approach indoor and outdoor Saltillo tiles the same way when it comes to cleaning. Use a dust pan to pick up the dirt and throw it away. Let’s look at why you should not steam clean saltillo tile and what you should and shouldn’t do instead. Before & After Shots After the tile is clean to your satisfaction let it thoroughly dry. That’s right… mop. The only one important point to remember when steam cleaning your ceiling is to cover over your light fixtures in the same way you … As for me, I don’t understand sweeping in an indoor space. Your saltillo tile sealer will most likely turn white and hazy, dull, and begin to peel. And leave us a comment if you found this article useful and tell us what would you really like us to talk about for the next post. Why bother with this process when the lifespan of quality sealers exceeds 10+ years? To preserve the life of the Saltillo tile sealer, choose a cleaner that is not harsh. Discover how Mexican tile and stone can transform your home, and make every space count! The reason companies want to use steam cleaners and sanders is because they do not have a chemical strong enough to remove that old sealer. Those rustic characteristics are part of the norm. That’s it – just 3 simple steps to clean Saltillo tile flooring. Make sure you are taking advice from a specialist and not a jack of all trades. If the stain does not come up after scrubbing it out with neutral cleaner, you should seriously consider getting the Saltillo tiles stripped and restored. Once everything is in order, you can start cleaning. Watch for any discoloration, peel, flaking, or other weird things. Occasional use of a grout cleaner will keep the grout clean and white. I like a string mop configuration when I tackle my floors. The first step to sealing your Saltillo Mexican tile is to clean them of any type of dirt or debris. Sanding your tiles also make the already porous tile twice as porous, and wet sanded tiles take a very long time to dry out granted, steam cleaning and sanding saltillo tiles is a cheaper option but in reality, you get what you pay for, and you really should not even let these be options for you. Use a broom for a very light sweeping, and then use a vacuum. Give it a few days to dry and fully cure. Once the surface is sanded, the tile disintegrates much faster with foot traffic. But for basic cleaning or an occasional facelift, give your floor some TLC. This is because sprinklers, weather, sun, and other elements break down these sealers that were not created to hold water for long periods of time thats why they are better for indoors, where there is no water getting on the tiles for extended periods. If you really care about your saltillo tile floor then a chemical process to remove the old sealer and re-apply fresh new coats is the best solution to your problem of unclean-able Saltillo tiles. Buy a vacuum and suck up the dirt. Clean the saltillo tiles well. K&M specializes in Saltillo Tile cleaning, restoring, and polishing. Rough ceiling materials can also put you off trying to clean your ceiling; but when you use a steamer, any type of surface can be cleaned effectively. Allow the cleaning … Explore our handmade products. Outdoor tiles are usually sealed with a penetrating sealer, which gives the tiles a more natural look unlike indoors where you usually see the shiny glossy type of sealers such as lacquers. By vacuuming regularly, you mitigate the chance for that dust and dirt to absorb into your grout lines. This is not good because ammonia acts like a mild stripper and letting it sit on the sealer will actually start to remove the sealer putting you into a whole other obstacle. You have to completely strip that tile down to its raw state then it can be sealed. Did you know that if you hire a professional carpet steam cleaning company that they can steam clean your Saltillo tile and that it strips off the glaze. Saltillo tiles are like French bread, hard on the outside, delicate and soft on the inside. Most joints range from 1/2 – 1 inch. Saltillo Tile Floors Need More Care Everyone loves having Saltillo tile floors, but, those floors present unique cleaning challenges of their own. Sweep the Saltillo tiles thoroughly with a broom to remove any loose dirt or dust. For example, dilute any detergent to lessen the impact of harsh chemicals. There are cleaning products and sealers available. The clay is scooped from the earth and mixed with water. Cleaning. It is a good idea to regularly have your Saltillo cleaned and sealed.

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