Domakihub How to Clean Terracotta Tiles and Keep Them Beautiful
A practical room-by-room guide for homes, rentals, and hotels in Greece.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Terracotta tiles are one of the most recognisable features of Greek homes, holiday villas, and boutique hotels — warm, earthy, and unmistakably Mediterranean. But because they are fired clay, they are naturally porous and will absorb oils, dirt, and moisture unless properly maintained. The video above walks through the full cleaning and resealing process; this article breaks it into clear, repeatable steps suited to the Greek climate and to the high turnover demands of rental properties.
Why terracotta needs special care
Unlike glazed porcelain, terracotta has an open pore structure that acts like a sponge. In Greece's coastal and humid summer environments, salt air and sand accelerate surface degradation, while olive oil, wine, and sunscreen from outdoor dining areas can stain deeply within hours if a sealant has worn away.
The good news is that terracotta is also very forgiving — scratches buff out, stains can usually be lifted with the right cleaner, and a worn surface can be fully restored without replacement. Understanding what you are dealing with (sealed vs. unsealed, indoor vs. outdoor) is the first step before picking up a mop.
Sealed versus unsealed terracotta — know which you have
Press a few drops of water onto the tile and wait 30 seconds. If the drops bead up, the tile is sealed. If they soak in and darken the clay, the tile is unsealed or the sealant has failed. Unsealed terracotta needs to be cleaned carefully with pH-neutral products only, then resealed before any wet mopping routine can become part of regular maintenance.
Most older Greek village houses and island villas have unsealed or partially sealed terracotta. Modern holiday rentals refurbished in the last decade are more likely to have a penetrating impregnator or a traditional linseed-based sealant applied. Both types respond well to the steps below, with only minor product differences.
Step-by-step: how to clean terracotta tiles
- 1
Dry-sweep and vacuum thoroughly
Before any liquid touches the floor, remove all loose grit, sand, and dust with a soft-bristle broom, then follow up with a vacuum on the hard-floor setting. Sand grains caught under a wet mop act like sandpaper and will scratch the surface or push dirt deeper into open pores. This step is especially important in Greek coastal properties where fine beach sand tracks indoors constantly.
- 2
Apply a pH-neutral cleaner diluted in warm water
Mix a pH-neutral tile cleaner (such as LTP Grimex or a diluted mild dish soap at roughly 1 tablespoon per 5 litres) into warm — not hot — water. Hot water opens pores and can drive grease further in. Apply with a well-wrung mop or a soft-fibre floor pad, working in sections of about 2 square metres so the solution does not sit on the tile for more than two minutes. Avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar or lemon juice: they etch the surface and strip sealant.
- 3
Scrub grout lines and stubborn stains with a stiff brush
Grout absorbs the same grime as the tile itself and is often the source of a generally dirty appearance even when tiles look clean. Use a stiff nylon brush (never steel wire) along grout lines with a slightly stronger concentration of the same cleaner. For oil or sunscreen stains, apply a small amount of alkaline degreaser directly to the spot, wait three to five minutes, then scrub gently in a circular motion before rinsing.
- 4
Rinse with clean water and dry completely
Rinse the floor with a clean mop and fresh water at least twice to remove all cleaner residue — any residue left behind will attract dirt faster and can interfere with sealant adhesion if you plan to reseal. After rinsing, dry the tiles with a microfibre cloth or allow them to air-dry with windows open. In a Greek summer this takes 30 to 60 minutes; in cooler or more humid periods allow two to three hours before walking on the surface.
- 5
Reseal if the water test shows absorption
Once the floor is fully dry, repeat the water-drop test from Step 1. If water still absorbs into the clay, apply a penetrating impregnating sealer (for a natural matte look) or a topcoat wax (for a traditional sheen). Pour the sealer onto the tile and spread it evenly with a lint-free applicator pad, working in the direction of the tile edges. Allow the first coat to absorb for 10 to 15 minutes, buff off the excess, then apply a second coat if needed. Allow 24 hours before heavy foot traffic.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted cleaning pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Can I use a steam cleaner on terracotta tiles?
- Steam cleaning is not recommended for unsealed or partially sealed terracotta. The high-pressure steam forces moisture deep into the pores and can cause the clay to crack or spall over time, particularly on older handmade tiles. On fully sealed terracotta you can use a steam mop on a low setting, but always check the sealant manufacturer's guidelines first. For most Greek properties, a well-wrung mop with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner is safer and equally effective.
- How often should terracotta tiles in a holiday rental be deep-cleaned and resealed?
- For a high-turnover rental with weekly changeovers, plan a thorough deep-clean with a pH-neutral cleaner every one to two months during the season. Resealing depends on foot traffic and the type of sealant: a topcoat wax may need refreshing every six to twelve months, while a penetrating impregnator typically lasts two to three years. The water-drop test is the most reliable indicator — if drops absorb within 30 seconds, it is time to reseal regardless of the calendar.
- What is the best way to remove old wax build-up from terracotta floors?
- Old wax build-up creates a yellowed, uneven surface that no amount of mopping will fix. You need to strip it with a dedicated wax stripper or a diluted alkaline stripper applied to the tile and left to dwell for five to ten minutes. Scrub with a rotary machine fitted with a black stripping pad, or by hand with a stiff brush in smaller areas, then rinse thoroughly. Allow the floor to dry completely — at least 24 hours — before applying a fresh sealant. Stripping and resealing is a morning project for a medium-sized room and makes an enormous difference to the final result.