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Zellij Field Tiles
Material: Natural Fez clay
Process: Fired, then hand-cut with hammer and chisel (Menkash) into tiles
Finish: Usually glazed, but can also be natural unglazed
Look & Feel: Glossy or matte, irregular edges, shade variations, light reflections
Best Uses: Walls, backsplashes, showers, accent features, fireplaces
Zellij Mosaics
Material: Handmade Zellij from Fez clay
Process: Fired, hand-cut into small shapes, then assembled into mosaic panels
Finish: Glazed in custom colors, supplied assembled in interlocking panels
Look & Feel: Geometric patterns with natural variations, authentic artisanal texture
Best Uses: Backsplashes, wainscot, fountains, accent walls, decorative floors
Terracotta Pavers / Shapes
Material: Moroccan clay
Process: Preshaped while raw, dried, and kiln-fired
Finish: Usually natural unglazed, earthy tones; can be sealed or glazed
Look & Feel: Rustic, warm, with natural patina that deepens over time
Best Uses: Indoor and outdoor floors, patios, courtyards, entryways
Talia Moroccan Mosaic Table Top 4181
Handmade hexagon Moroccan mosaic tile table top
Comprehensive Tile Care and Maintenance Guide
My Moroccan Tile - Preserving Centuries of
Craftsmanship
Introduction
Your authentic
Moroccan tiles represent centuries-old craftsmanship from artisans in Fez,
Morocco. Unlike mass-produced tiles, each piece is handcrafted with slight
variations that make it unique. This guide will help you preserve your
investment and maintain the beauty of your tiles for generations.
Moroccan Zellige Tile Care
Understanding Zellige
Zellige tiles are handcrafted using
traditional methods, resulting in variations in thickness, glaze density, and
porosity. This authenticity requires specific care protocols to maintain their
beauty.
Initial Sealing (Critical First Step)
Timing: Seal
zellige tiles 24-48 hours after grout has fully cured.
Product: Use a
penetrating sealer specifically designed for natural stone and porous tiles
(not a topical sealer).
Application:
·
Apply two coats, allowing 4-6 hours between
coats
·
Wipe excess sealer from surface immediately
·
Allow 24 hours to cure before use
Resealing Schedule:
·
High-traffic areas: Every 1-2 years
·
Low-traffic areas: Every 3-4 years
Daily and Weekly Cleaning
Daily: Sweep or vacuum
with a soft brush attachment to remove grit and debris that can scratch the
glaze.
Weekly: Damp mop with
warm water only, or water with a pH-neutral cleaner (pH 7). Always dry the
surface with a soft cloth after wet cleaning to prevent water spots.
What to AVOID
·
Acidic cleaners: Vinegar, lemon juice, or
any cleaner with citric acid will etch the glaze
·
Alkaline cleaners: Bleach, ammonia, or
harsh degreasers can discolor the glaze
·
Abrasive tools: Steel wool, scouring
pads, or abrasive powders will scratch the surface
·
Steam cleaners: Excessive heat can cause
glaze crazing (fine cracks)
Stain Treatment for Zellige
Oil-based stains (cooking
oil, grease): Apply a poultice made from baking soda and water, let sit for
24 hours, then rinse.
Organic stains (coffee,
wine): Apply hydrogen peroxide (3%) for 10-15 minutes, then rinse
thoroughly.
Hard water deposits:
Mix equal parts water and pH-neutral cleaner, apply with soft cloth.
Terracotta Tile Maintenance
Understanding Terracotta
Your terracotta collection (Terra
Floors, Talia, Bijmat, Octa, Star & Cross, and Hexa) represents unglazed
clay tiles. These are more porous than zellige and require intensive initial
treatment and ongoing maintenance.
Pre-Installation Treatment (For
Contractors/Installers)
Pre-sealing:
Apply a penetrating sealer to all terracotta tiles BEFORE grouting to prevent
grout from permanently staining unsealed terracotta.
Curing time:
Allow 48 hours for sealer to cure before grouting.
Post-Installation Sealing Protocol
After installation and
grout curing (7-10 days):
1.
Deep clean: Remove all grout haze and
construction debris with pH-neutral cleaner
2.
First seal coat: Apply penetrating
sealer, allow to absorb (15-20 minutes)
3.
Second coat: Apply within 1 hour of first
coat
4.
Third coat: Apply 24 hours after second
coat
5.
Optional finish coat: For high-traffic
areas, apply a topical sealer for added protection
Routine Terracotta Maintenance
·
Daily: Sweep or vacuum to remove abrasive
dirt
·
Weekly: Damp mop with pH-neutral cleaner
diluted in warm water
·
Monthly: Apply a maintenance coat of
sealer in high-traffic areas
·
Annually: Strip and reseal entire floor
Understanding Terracotta Patina
Terracotta develops a
patina over time—this is normal and desirable in authentic handcrafted tiles:
·
Color deepening: Terracotta naturally
darkens with age and use
·
Wear patterns: High-traffic areas will
show more patina, adding character
·
Uneven aging: Different tiles may age at
different rates due to clay variation
For clients who prefer a
more uniform appearance, more frequent resealing (every 6 months) can slow
patina development.
Terracotta Stain Removal
Fresh spills: Blot
immediately (never wipe, which spreads the stain).
Oil stains: Poultice with
diatomaceous earth or talcum powder for 24-48 hours.
Deep stains: May require
professional restoration or spot re-sealing after treatment.
Hand-Painted Tile Preservation
Understanding Hand-Painted Surfaces
Hand-painted tiles
feature artisan-applied designs that require gentle care to preserve the
painted surface.
Cleaning Hand-Painted Tiles
·
Frequency: Clean only when visibly dirty
(over-cleaning causes unnecessary wear)
·
Method: Soft microfiber cloth dampened
with warm water
·
Pressure: Light touch only—never scrub
painted surfaces
·
Drying: Immediate drying with a separate
clean cloth
Decorative vs. Functional
Applications
Decorative
applications (wall accents, backsplashes with minimal exposure):
·
Minimal sealing needed
·
Dust with dry microfiber cloth monthly
·
Spot clean as needed
Functional
applications (kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls):
·
Apply two coats of penetrating sealer
·
Reseal annually
·
Clean weekly with pH-neutral cleaner
Long-Term Protection
·
UV exposure: Hand-painted colors can fade
in direct sunlight; consider window treatments
·
Chemical exposure: Keep harsh cleaners,
perfumes, and aerosols away from painted surfaces
·
Physical protection: Use trivets,
coasters, and cutting boards to prevent direct contact
Mosaic Tile Care
Understanding Mosaic Construction
Custom mosaics have more
grout lines per square foot than standard tiles, making grout maintenance the
primary care concern.
Initial
Grout Sealing
After grout cures (7-10 days):
1.
Clean grout lines thoroughly with pH-neutral
cleaner
2.
Apply grout sealer with small brush or
applicator bottle
3.
Wipe excess sealer from tile surfaces
immediately
4.
Allow 24 hours to cure
5.
Apply second coat
Routine Mosaic Cleaning
·
Daily: Wipe down with damp cloth
(especially in bathrooms and kitchens)
·
Weekly: Clean with pH-neutral cleaner,
paying attention to grout lines
·
Monthly: Inspect grout for discoloration
or deterioration
·
Annually: Reseal grout lines
Grout
Line Maintenance
Discoloration: Usually from
inadequate sealing or using colored cleaning products.
Cracking: Can indicate
substrate movement; address structural issues before regrouting.
Mold/mildew: Indicates
moisture problems; improve ventilation and reseal.
Cleaning Grout Without Damaging
Tiles
·
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for grout lines
·
Never use grout cleaning products that contain
bleach or acids
·
For stubborn grout stains: paste of baking soda
and water, gentle scrubbing
·
Rinse thoroughly and dry completely
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Efflorescence (White Powdery Residue)
What it is:
Salt deposits that migrate from the tile body or substrate to the surface.
How to address:
1.
Allow tiles to fully dry
2.
Brush off powder with soft brush
3.
Clean with pH-neutral cleaner
4.
If persistent, use an efflorescence remover
designed for natural stone
5.
Ensure proper sealing to prevent recurrence
Grout Haze
Prevention: Pre-seal porous tiles before
grouting.
Removal:
· For
fresh haze (within 24 hours): Damp sponge with frequent rinsing
· For
dried haze: pH-neutral grout haze remover
· For
stubborn haze on terracotta: May require professional restoration
Crazing (Fine Surface Cracks)
Causes: Thermal shock,
substrate movement, or natural aging of handmade tiles.
Is it a problem?
Usually cosmetic only; if cracks are deep or widening, consult installer.
Management: Ensure
proper sealing to prevent moisture infiltration.
Lippage (Uneven Tile Surfaces)
What it is: Slight
height differences between adjacent tiles.
Is it a defect?
No—this is characteristic of handcrafted tiles where thickness varies.
Care consideration:
More careful cleaning needed to avoid catching mop edges on raised tiles.
Color Variation
What to expect:
·
Shade variation between tiles is normal and
desirable
·
Color may deepen or lighten with age
·
Different production batches will have variation
This is not a defect: It's proof of
authentic handcrafted production by artisans in Fez, Morocco.
Quick Reference Chart
Tile
Type
Daily
Care
Weekly
Care
Sealing
Frequency
Zellige
Sweep/vacuum
Damp mop,
pH-neutral cleaner
1-4 years
Terracotta
Sweep/vacuum
Damp mop,
pH-neutral cleaner
6-12 months
Hand-Painted
Dust as
needed
Soft damp
cloth
Annually
(functional areas)
Mosaic
Wipe with
damp cloth
Clean with
pH-neutral cleaner
Grout:
Annually
Recommended Products
Safe
Cleaners
·
pH-neutral tile cleaners (pH 7)
·
Warm water
·
Baking soda paste (for spot cleaning)
·
Hydrogen peroxide 3% (for organic stains)
Sealers
·
Penetrating sealers for natural stone and porous
tiles
·
Grout sealers (water-based)
·
Topical sealers (for high-traffic terracotta
only)
Tools
·
Soft-bristled broom or vacuum with brush
attachment
·
Microfiber mop and cloths
·
Soft-bristled toothbrush (for grout lines)
·
Non-abrasive sponges
Professional Support
For
questions about caring for your specific tile installation, or to order
replacement tiles, please contact My Moroccan Tile:
Website:
mymoroccantile.com
International Sites:
France/Belgium: carreauxzellige.com
Morocco: saharadesigns.com
Spain: azulejosmarruecos.com
Follow
us: @mymoroccantile on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Your Moroccan tiles are not just a
surface—they're a piece of living history, handcrafted by skilled artisans
using techniques passed down through generations. With proper care, these tiles
will develop character and beauty that only improves with time, becoming a
treasured feature of your space for decades
Mosaics assembly
Mosaics made just for you
Experience personalized mosaics tailored to your vision, including custom colors, scale, and precise fitting. Each piece is preassembled and shipped in interlocking sections, designed for effortless installation and grouting. Whether built to your custom measurements or provided in smaller panels of 12"x12" or less, our mosaics ensure a seamless and elegant transformation for your space.