Prestige Tile & Stone Cleaning
Serving San Diego County
Residential & Commercial
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 10am–2pm
Quick answer
How Is Saltillo Tile Cleaned?
Start by checking for a topical sealer: if water beads on the surface, one has almost certainly been applied, and you are cleaning the sealer rather than the tile. Unsealed Saltillo is cleaned with an alkaline cleaner and hot water left to dwell about 15 minutes, then scrubbed and rinsed. Sealed Saltillo needs a well-diluted cleaner and a soft pad, and if dirt is trapped in the sealer, the sealer must be stripped.
Why it matters
Why Saltillo Is Hard to Maintain
Saltillo tiles are very soft and porous, which makes them hard to keep clean, and the topical sealers usually applied to them add another layer to deal with. In most cases the condition of the sealer determines how well the tile can be cleaned and how it looks afterward.
About the material
Why Is Saltillo Tile So Hard to Maintain?
Saltillo is an extremely soft, porous tile, and it is often coated with a topical sealer. Whether that sealer is there, and what state it is in, decides how the tile can be cleaned.
Very porous
Unsealed Saltillo soaks up a lot of cleaning solution, so the floor has to be kept wet while it is cleaned.
Soft
Rough pads and brushes can scratch it, so scrubbing has to be controlled.
Topical sealers
If water beads on the tile, a topical sealer has probably been applied.
Sealer condition
Dirt can be trapped in or under an old topical sealer that washing cannot reach.
Our process
Cleaning Unsealed Saltillo
01
Apply
Mix an alkaline cleaner with hot water and pour it onto the floor.
02
Dwell 15 minutes
Keep the tiles saturated for about 15 minutes, adding solution as porous tile soaks it up.
03
Scrub
Scrub tile and grout with an aggressive pad and brush, taking care not to scratch the tile.
04
Rinse & extract
Rinse thoroughly with a mop and hot water; a shop vac removes the dirty solution from tile and grout.
If the tile is clean but the grout is still dark, an acidic tile cleaner applied to the grout lines (it will fizz) followed by firm scrubbing restores the grout.
Sealed floors
Cleaning Saltillo With a Topical Sealer
Sealed Saltillo is usually harder to clean than unsealed tile.
A strong alkaline cleaner left on a topical sealer will mark and degrade it, so the cleaner must be well diluted and the tile scrubbed gently with a soft pad. The goal is to soften the sealer just enough to release dirt without scratching its finish.
After cleaning, rinse thoroughly so the sealer can harden and look fresh again. Sometimes dirt is trapped inside the sealer itself and ordinary washing will not remove it, and an acidic cleaner is not the answer on sealed tile. In that case the old sealer has to be stripped to restore the tile’s clean appearance.
Compare the options
Clean, Strip or Restore?
What your Saltillo needs depends mostly on the sealer.
| What you see | What helps | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Unsealed tile with embedded dirt | Alkaline cleaning & scrubbing | Hot water and an alkaline cleaner soften the grime |
| Sealed tile, dirt on the surface | Gentle cleaning | Diluted cleaner and a soft pad protect the coating |
| Clean tile, dirty grout | Targeted grout cleaning | Grout stains are treated separately from the tile |
| Grime trapped in the old sealer | Stripping & restoration | The topical sealer is removed and the tile refinished |
What to avoid
Common Saltillo Cleaning Mistakes
Most damage to Saltillo comes from cleaning it the wrong way for its sealer.
- Leaving a strong alkaline cleaner on sealed tile, which marks the topical sealer
- Rough scrub pads on sealed tile
- Letting cleaning solution settle or dry on the surface
- Skipping the rinse, which leaves residue
- Using an acidic cleaner on sealed tile that is still dirty; stripping is the fix
Estimates
What Affects Your Estimate
Every estimate is based on the surface itself, and you receive it in writing before any work is booked. These are the main factors that shape it.
Floor area
The size of the Saltillo floor and grout.
Sealed or unsealed
The sealer decides the cleaning method.
Stripping
Whether an old topical sealer has to be removed.
Resealing
Fresh sealer after cleaning or stripping.
Service Area
Saltillo & Mexican Tile Cleaning in San Diego County
We clean, strip and reseal Saltillo and Mexican tile floors for homes and businesses throughout San Diego County. For worn or badly coated floors, see our Saltillo tile restoration service.
Related services
Related Tile & Stone Services
Restoration
Saltillo Tile Restoration
Soft, porous saltillo refinished.
Sealing
Interior Tile Sealing
Penetrating sealers for tile and grout.
Cleaning
Tile & Grout Cleaning
Embedded soil extracted from porous grout.
Restoration
Tile & Stone Restoration
Honing, polishing and refinishing.
- Tile & Grout
- Bath & Shower Tile
- Ceramic & Porcelain
- Natural Stone
- Architectural Stone
- Cantera & Adoquin
- Cement Tile
- Concrete
- Concrete Pavers
- Countertops
- Cultured Stone
- Engineered Stone
- Exterior Stone
- Flagstone
- Glass Tile
- Granite
- Interior Floors
- Limestone
- Marble
- Metal Tile
- Mosaic Tile
- Onyx
- Quarry Tile
- Quartz
- Quartzite
- Sandstone
- Slate
- Soapstone
- Terracotta
- Terrazzo
- Travertine
- Pool Tile
- Wood Floors
Helpful guides
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Saltillo tile is sealed?
If water beads on the surface, a topical sealer has almost certainly been applied.
How long should cleaner stay on Saltillo tile?
About 15 minutes on unsealed tile, kept wet the whole time.
Why is my sealed Saltillo still dirty after cleaning?
Dirt can become trapped in the topical sealer. When washing will not remove it, the sealer needs to be stripped.
When does Saltillo tile need to be stripped?
When dirt and grime are trapped in a topical sealer and normal washing cannot remove them. Stripping the old sealer restores the tile’s original look before it is resealed.
Can old Saltillo be restored instead of replaced?
Usually. Stripping worn sealer, cleaning, repairing and resealing brings most Saltillo back. See our Saltillo tile restoration page for the full process.
Get Started
Ready for Cleaner Tile, Grout & Stone?
Tell us what needs cleaning and we'll help you work out the right next step, with no pressure either way.
Free estimates
Surface-safe methods
Residential & commercial