How to clean terracotta floors

As these tiles have already been laid on leading of a damp-proof membrane it is protected to apply a floor sealer that should merely call for sweeping or vacuuming to prevent dirt and grit becoming ingrained. An occasional wipe with a damp mop will freshen up the finish – verify every year whether or not your tiles are becoming porous once more.

Associated articles: Tips on how to pick out difficultThe best way toThe topThe way to retain original stone floors

You’ll need:

Stone floor cleaner, scrubbing brush, mop and bucket
Vacuum cleaner
Boiled linseed oil and paintbrush
Oil-based Floor sealer
Knee pads
Restoring terracotta floor tiles methods 1 and 2

The way to restore terracotta floor tiles

1. Scrub away any dirt: Use a option of 25% stone floor cleaner within a bucket of warm water. Apply lightly using a mop or sponge. Leave to perform for 15 minutes or so, then give the floor a great scrub. On stubborn stains apply the solution neat. Wipe off dirt and grease and rinse with warm water. Use an old towel or dry mop to dry the surface.

2. Prepare the tiles for oiling: Enable the tiles to dry thoroughly before applying the oil. I left the floor for three days, placing down dust sheets to defend it from spills. I then vacuumed the floor paying specific interest to the grouting and any nooks and crannies that could be harbouring dust that could spoil the finished floor.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles steps 3 and 4

three. Apply boiled linseed oil: Boiled linseed oil is definitely the traditional finish for these unglazed tiles and provides a soft sheen. To encourage the oil to become absorbed in to the tiles leave the can within a warm place overnight and decide on a warm dry day or place some heating on a couple of hours beforehand. Apply the oil liberally using a paintbrush.

4. Redistribute any excess oil: Wait for about 20 minutes and verify irrespective of whether you will find pools of linseed oil lying around the surface. If there are actually, take your brush and go over the floor redistributing the surplus oil. When you’ve completed wipe the brush on a rag to take off as a lot oil as you possibly can and clean with white spirit.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles actions 5 and six

5. Leave to dry before a second coat: Following a further 20 minutes take some rags and wipe away any oil that remains on the surface. If this can be allowed to stay it will congeal, stay sticky and attract dirt and dust. Leave the tiles for at the least eight hours before applying a second coat. Oily rags can pose a fire danger. Lay them outside to dry prior to disposing of them.

six. Seal using a protective finish: Wait a minimum of 24 hours prior to applying a protective coat of stone floor sealer employing a brush. Ensure that the item is oil as opposed to 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 clay tones.

Restoring terracotta floor tiles actions 7 and eight

7. Test the floor once more for watertightness: Immediately after eight hours test whether or not the tiles are still porous by spilling several drops of water on towards the floor. Immediately after ten minutes verify regardless of whether the beads are nevertheless proud or no matter if they’ve slumped. In the event the tiles are absorbing as opposed to resisting the water, apply a second coat of finish. Leave for 24 hours just before making use of the floor.

eight. Carry out common maintenance: The finish is going to be water and grease resistant, but still take the time to wipe up meals and drink spills as they happen. Vacuum or sweep the floor routinely in order that dirt cannot come to be ingrained. Sometimes wipe the floor using a damp mop. Carry out a water droplet test once a year and reapply boiled linseed oil if essential