Saltillo Tile Care, Cleaning, & Maintenance | pFOkUS

Saltillo tile flooring is a popular option today. This is a Mexican tile that showcases beautiful artistry. It is designed and structured from regional clay and is very durable and easy to maintain. Saltillo tiles are generally used in patio, pool decks and kitchen floorings. However, this tile does have some issues. It needs to be sealed well to be long-lasting. An unsealed Saltillo tile is prone to staining, chipping, cracking and mold development. Here is a detailed guide on Saltillo tile care, cleaning and maintenance.

First, let us understand some important characteristics of this tile.

How is Saltillo Tile Made?

This is a Mexican clay tile that is structured from regional clay used in making clay pots. Clay is dug out from the earth, cleaned to remove stones and dirt, and then sifted. It is then shaped in the form of tile. As this tile hails from Saltillo, Coahuila and Mexico, it is also known as Mexican tile. The dug clay is used in raw form. Water is poured in the holes so that the clay remains moist during the curing process. After curing, this clay is shaped into molds to give it a desired shape.

Important Points to Note About Saltillo Tile:

• Saltillo tile is very porous. It soaks in liquid easily if not sealed well.
• This is a natural tile with no top glaze.
• The installation process is tricky as the tile is prone to water absorption from the thin-set mortar.
• It is necessary to seal the tile and you also get pre-sealed Saltillo tile. But, the tile available on the market is rarely sealed with high-quality sealers. These wear off quickly, making your tile vulnerable to liquid penetration and subsequent damage.
• If the chips and cracks are not rectified soon, they will not only harm anyone walking barefoot, but also further deteriorate the tile.
• Do not use acidic cleaners to clean the stains and hard water spots on Saltillo tile, as they may cause etching.

These are some important factors to keep in mind for Saltillo tile care. Now we will discuss how to clean Saltillo tile properly.

How to Clean Saltillo Tile the Right Way?

• If your Saltillo tile is newly installed, you need to first wait for 72 hours to let the tile set properly and cure.
• If the tile is old, you need to first vacuum the surface to remove the superfluous dirt and dust.
• Next, you need to use a penetrating Saltillo tile cleaner to knock off the deep-rooted mold and stains from the surface. You should use an Alkaline cleaner as it does not cause any etching. You can try using Imperia Deep Clean from pFOkUS to clean your floor tile thoroughly and to remove all traces of hidden stains and mold at the root level. It is a concentrated solution that can be diluted upto 1 gallon and can be used for your entire surface.
• After cleaning, you need to rinse the tile with water to remove all the residue. Then, retract the liquid again to reveal a clean and sanitized surface. Using strong cleaners like Imperia Deep Clean will also strip away the existing sealers.
• Now mop the surface dry before sealing.

How to Repair any Chips and Cracks on the Saltillo Tile Surface?

• The chips and cracks on the surface make your tile look dull and old. If the grout or tile is cracked, chipped or missing, you don’t need to replace the tile or do regrouting. You can repair them using new age resin adhesives. Good quality resin adhesives act like fillers that give you a seamless repair job.
• You can try using Sentura from pFOkUS. It does not look bulky and renders a perfect look with its sleek appearance.
• It can also be shaded in more than 40 colors with Caponi sealer from pFOkUS, thereby giving you the shade you require.

How to Seal Saltillo Tile?

• As there is no glaze on the surface, it gets dirty very often. You can prevent this by applying a sealant coat. Do not use wax-based sealants as they are unable to penetrate the pores and only form a layer on the top, looking bulky as a result.
• Once your tile has been cleaned and repaired, wait for it to dry thoroughly.
• Next, proceed to sealing the grout first using a Saltillo grout sealer. You can try using Caponi from pFOkUS. It is an epoxy/resin sealer with a titanium base that thoroughly seals the grout and makes it waterproof.
• After sealing the grout, proceed to sealing the tile. Use a clear topical solvent-based sealer, such as Celine from pFOkUS to seal the tile surface. It will make your surface waterproof, protected and also beautiful with its sleek appearance.It is recommended to apply a second coat of Celine after 48 hours to get a high-gloss sheen. If you want your tile to look natural and rustic, then only one coat application is enough.

How to Maintain Saltillo Floor Tile after Sealing | Routine Care Tips:

• Saltillo floor tile, once cleaned, repaired and sealed is saved from inner damage. But, you cannot avoid the superfluous dirt, stains and mold that settle on the surface periodically.
• You need a good Saltillo Floor Maintenance Cleaner to clean and maintain your surface regularly. Both Imperia Maintenance or Valore Maintenance are excellent weekly maintenance cleaners. Both these products from pFOkUS are maintenance cleaners designed for weekly maintenance of hard surfaces. Of the two, Valore Maintenance is infused with 6.97% of H2O2 at the molecular level and is stronger.
• You can just wipe the surface with Imperia or Valore Maintenance and reveal a sparkling Saltillo tile surface beneath.

These are the basic instructions for cleaning, repairing, sealing and maintenance of Saltillo floor tile. We have recommended pFOkUS products as they are the best when it comes to restoration and maintenance of this particular tile. If you feel you do not have the time to perform restoration yourself, you can hire D’Sapone – one of the leading stone, brick, tile, grout and glass restoration service providers in the US. They have highly trained artists who use pFOkUS products and their patented procedures to perform the services along with a 5-year labor warranty.

If you still have some questions regarding Saltillo Tile, then read the FAQs below:

How Much Does Saltillo Tile Restoration Cost?

The restoration costs around $6.30 on an average. Some contractors may quote $4.72 or $8.05 also. These rates are in lieu with the 2019 RemodelingExpense in the US. If you want the best restoration at low prices, you can contact D’Sapone for their patented Saltillo restoration services. Furthermore, if you want to do the restoration yourself, you can buy the best restoration products from pFOkUS.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Saltillo Tile?

Dust free removal may cost you $5.50 per square foot for Saltillo tile. These are the average rates offered by most contractors. You can consider hiring D’Sapone for such restoration services as they provide the best at reasonable rates.

Is it Recommended to Sand Down Saltillo Tile?

Sanding Saltillo tile ruins the integrity of the tile and also destroys its natural platina. Sanding will leave a dusty mess and will make the tile extremely porous. You will end up spending more on sealers later.