Terra Cotta is made form raw clay and is normally unglazed. It gives off an old-world charm and has been used for centuries to make sculptures and building materials. Terra Cotta flooring comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, it has a distinguishable identity with colors ranging from earth tones, such as grey to brownish yellow and various shades of red.  It looks better with age and is warm to the touch. Another advantage — it’s water, allergen and bacteria resistant.

Terra Cotta in its natural state is porous, and for this reason it needs to be sealed in order for it to be durable and last longer. Once sealed, it’s very easy to clean by mopping with a mild cleaner. To keep Terra Cotta flooring in tip-top shape, the use of a grout cleaner may be used from time to time.

General Guidelines to Keep Your Terra cotta Flooring in Great Shape

Keeping your floors looking great is vital since flooring is one of the most expensive and time consuming aspects of home improvement. Simple steps can prolong the life of your floor, regardless of the type you may have. Here are some tricks that will keep your terra cotta flooring looking new:

• Close curtains and blinds — UV rays from sunlight can fade colors on floor and cause discoloration
• Place floor protectors under furniture
• Clean, wipe or blot spills immediately to help prevent stains.
• Place doormats at every door — this helps to trap dirt at the doorway instead of tracking inside the home. The coco mat, featured on QVC, traps all types of particles such as dust, mud, snow and it can be used for the front door, patio or even the garage.
• Take care when moving heavy objects like furniture and equipment — utilize furniture coaters to transport heavy objects across floors.
• Dust and vacuum floors regularly to maximize beauty and decrease build-up of debris.
• Exercise caution when using bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food as these contain strong chemicals that can discolor floors.
• Always follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on products that are safe for your flooring.
• Treat grout with a sealer to simplify cleaning.
• Vacuum porcelain tiles without a beater bar and use a microfiber mop, which is gentle on the floor to prevent scratching.