“Mexican Tile” or “Saltillo Tile” is a type of terra cotta (terracotta) tile. (Terra cotta means “baked earth”.) However, Terra Cotta has its own unique characteristics that requires a separate page.

What is the difference between Mexican tile and Saltillo tile? Saltillo tile is Mexican tile made of a specific clay that comes from the riverbeds of Saltillo, Coahuila Mexico.

Mexican Tile Properties:

True Mexican Tiles are hand made and fired at relatively low temperatures. Therefore, they are not flat or perfectly square. There might even be animal tracks in the surface. The colors vary considerably from beiges, yellows and oranges. Mexican tiles do not get baked in a kiln at high temperatures. Instead, they are left to bake outside in the Mexican sun and if it is a cloudy day the temperature can fluctuate which increases the porosity of the tiles.

Mexican Tile’s natural, warm colors and durability make it a popular choice for informal rooms, such as the kitchen and sunroom. Even a properly sealed floor eventually acquires layers of soil from foot traffic and frequent spills. Where the sealer has worn away or was never applied, the porous tile holds the dirt deeper than normal household cleaners and mops can reach. Dirt and stains are ground into waxes and acrylic coatings.

The one big disadvantage to Terra-Cotta tiles is that they have no glaze on the surface and can soil deeply dirt very quickly. The solution, of course, is to seal them. Terracotta tiles are the most problematic to seal. Wax sealants tend to discolor to a darker shade and the wax or floor finish will scratch and powder off - leaving quite a mess!

Saltillo, a form of Mexican Tile, is often with a stain that can wear off or be harmed. Saltillo is very porous and is sun dried instead of fire-hardened like ceramic tiles. Efflorescence is common with saltillo tile. Efflorescence is the wicking up of salts within the tiles when unfinished tile gets wet.

Care & Maintenance of Mexican Tile:

Because Mexican Tile and Saltillo are somewhat soft (Saltillo being the softer), these should never be cleaned at pressures above 800 PSI and then only if the grout is in good condition.

Mexican Tile can be cleaned with StoneTech™ All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner, Klenz-All™ heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser or Revitalizer™ Stone Cleaner and Seal Refresher without altering its natural tone or texture. Years of soil can be dissolved and vacuumed away. Old finishes are more of a problem, especially if a petroleum based coating was applied.

Mexican Tile requires care to ensure that it lasts for years and generations and imparts natural beauty to the surroundings. Keep surface free of dust, which may otherwise produce scratches. Hence, dust interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Use warm water to clear regularly using a mop or sponge.

Mexican Tile is very porous. The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe it away.

We recommend that you use care and maintenance products from StoneTech™ that are specially formulated to protect and enhance the beauty of your Mexican tile. Seal with Sta-Clene^® Solvent-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer, Impregnator Pro™ Solvent-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer or BulletProof™ Water-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer to maintain a natural color. To deepen color, seal with Enhancer Pro™. Use Revitalizer cleaner for regular maintenance.

Although we usually think of Mexican Tile as “hard”, it is a porous material. If left unsealed, spills and everyday messes can easily penetrate the surface. The liquid eventually evaporates but the stain is left behind.

Removal of oily stains is easily accomplished with StoneTech Oil Stain Remover.

Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer technology, incorporated into StoneTech Bullet Proof is the most advanced technology available, providing the ultimate shield against both water and oil-base stains. The micro-molecular formula actually bonds with the stone surface to deliver unsurpassed wear resistance and durability. And because the sealer reacts with the stone, you no longer have to worry about its porosity. It works on all types of stone, from ultra-porous Juparana Columbo to super-dense Absolute Black.

Restorative Cleaning of Mexican Tile:

Depending on the type of soil, stain or other foreign matter present, select one or more of the following options:

For stripping off any existing topical acrylic, urethane, epoxy, heavy wax coatings and epoxy grout haze:

1. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
2. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
3. For softer coatings, dilute Heavy Duty Coating Stripper with clean water up to a 1 to 1 solution.
4. Apply an even coat using a chemical-resistant paintbrush, roller or deck brush.
5. Allow stripper to dwell for 20 minutes to 2 hours or as long as needed to soften coating. Heavy Duty Coating Stripper will remain active for up to 24 hours.
6. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment.
7. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution.
8. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed.

For cleaning of grease, oil, dirt, dry soil and soap scum from Mexican Tile:

1. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
2. Strip off all topical finishes such as waxes and coatings.
3. Prepare a solution of Klenz-All™ heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below:
4. KlenzAll™ using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, sponge or mop.
5. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a rotary floor machine at 130 lbs.-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment.
6. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used.
7. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed.
8. To remove deep or stubborn oil stains not completely removed by KlenzAll™, let the surface dry and use Oil Stain Remover.

For removal of efflorescence, grout haze, salts, mineral deposits and all other calcium-based stains (acidic cleaning) on Mexican Tile:

1. Test in an inconspicuous area, as some materials are acid sensitive and may etch when acidic cleaners like StoneTech Restore™ are applied.
2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated. Restore may damage stainless steel and other metals.
3. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
4. Strip off all wax, acrylic, urethane and all topical finishes.
5. Prepare a solution of Restore mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below:
6. Liberally apply using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, sponge or mop.
7. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130 lbs.-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment.
8. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used.
9. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed.
10. Thoroughly rinse all metal surfaces.

Sealing & Protecting Mexican Tile:

Natural stone surfaces must be sealed to prevent or minimize staining. Leaving natural stone untreated may greatly hinder the complete removal of stains in the future. The following suggestions are for impregnating the stone and will allow the stone to breathe. Allow new installations to cure for 72 hours prior to applying sealer.

For a natural looking protector on interior and exterior surfaces (heavy duty protection, water and oil repellency) on Mexican Tile:

1. Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris.
2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
3. Insure that surface is clean and residue-free.
4. StoneTech Stone Sealer Lower-Cost Water-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer or BulletProof™ Water-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer may be applied to damp surfaces one hour after standing water has been removed.
5. Liberally apply an even coat of sealer using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, roller or brush.
6. Allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 20-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area to insure even penetration.
7. Wipe off any remaining sealer prior to drying on the surface.
8. A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces and should be applied 30-40 minutes after initial application as directed above.
9. A minimum of 30 minutes after final application, wipe entire surface with a towel dampened with sealer to remove any residue and excess sealer, if needed.
10. A full cure is achieved after 24-72 hours; foot traffic may begin in 6-8 hours. Cover with red rosin paper, if foot traffic must resume before the recommended time periods have passed.

For a natural looking protector on exterior surfaces(heavy duty protection, water repellency only) on Mexican Tile:

StoneTech Exterior Heavy-Duty Stone & Masonry Sealer is a water repellent specially designed for exterior projects such as facades, cladding, pool decks, parking areas and driveways. It is very resistant to chemicals (i.e., chlorine) and to the effects of weather (i.e., ultraviolet light/sunlight, driving water/rain).

1. Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris.
2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
3. Insure that the surface is clean, dry and residue-free.
4. Liberally apply an even coat of Heavy Duty Exterior Stone and Masonry Sealer with a brush, paint roller or solvent-resistant low-pressure sprayer.
5. Allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes; denser material may require more time for sealer to penetrate.
6. During this time, distribute excess over entire area to insure even penetration.
7. Wipe off any remaining sealer prior to drying on the surface.
8. A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces and should be applied one hour after initial application as directed above.
9. If sealer was not completely wiped off and a residue appears, wipe entire surface with a towel dampened with sealer.
10. Use a white, non-abrasive nylon brush or pad to loosen residue and follow with a clean, white absorbent towel to remove.
11. Do not walk on surface for at least 4-6 hours. Full cure is achieved in 24-72 hours.

For a color enhancing, impregnating (non-topical) protector on interior and exterior surfaces (heavy duty protection, water and oil repellency) on Mexican Tile:

1. Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris.
2. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
3. Insure that surface is clean, dry and residue-free.
4. Liberally apply an even coat of StoneTech Enhancer Pro™ using a low-pressure solvent-resistant sprayer, roller or brush.
5. Allow to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes; denser material may require more time for Enhancer Pro™ to penetrate.
6. During this time, distribute excess over entire area to insure even penetration.
7. Completely wipe surface dry.
8. DO NOT ALLOW ENHANCER PRO TO DRY COMPLETELY ON SURFACE!
9. Failure to remove enhancer from the surface may result in a film or residue that may need to be mechanically removed.
10. A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces or if a darker appearance is required and should be applied one hour after initial application as directed above.
11. A full cure is achieved after 24-72 hours; foot traffic may begin in 6-8 hours.
12. Cover with red rosin paper, if foot traffic must resume before the recommended time periods have passed.

Maintenance Cleaning of Mexican Tile:

Highly alkaline, acidic, ammoniated, abrasive cleaners and/or bleach may break down the sealer, adversely affecting repellency and may not be good for the stone. Use a neutral cleaner specially formulated for natural stone.

For routine cleaning with protection (not recommended for lacquered surfaces):

1. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
2. Prepare a solution of StoneTech Revitalizer™ Stone Cleaner and Seal Refresher concentrate mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below:
3. (One gallon of concentrate makes up to five gallons of ready-to-use solution.)
4. Apply the Revitalizer solution using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, mop, sponge or automatic scrubbing machine.
5. No rinsing needed.
6. Or use Revitalizer in a ready-to-use sprayer

For routine maintenance cleaning:

1. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris.
2. Prepare a solution of StoneTech All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner concentrate mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below:
3. Apply the solution using a sponge, mop or automatic scrubbing machine, then wipe or rinse off.
4. Or use All Purpose Stone and Tile Cleaner in a ready-to-use sprayer.

Additional Stone, Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout Information:

• Grout and Tile
• Porcelain Tile and Grout
• StoneTech

Products for Cleaning and Protecting Mexican Tile:

• All Purpose Grout Sealer
• All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner Concentrate
• BulletProof™ Water-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer
• Enhancer Pro™
• Exterior Heavy-Duty Stone & Masonry Sealer
• Impregnator Pro™ Solvent-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer
• Klenz-All™ heavy-duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser
• Oil Stain Remover
• Restore™
• Revitalizer™ Stone Cleaner and Seal Refresher
• Sta-Clene^® Solvent-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer
• Stone Care Guide Mailer and Stone Care Guide Large Brochure
• Stone Sealer Lower-Cost Water-Based Advanced-Generation Penetrating Sealer
• Stone, Tile & Grout - Cleaning, Restoration & Protection Set of Two Training “How-To” DVDs