Terracotta flooring is a classic, often used in kitchens, dining rooms or sitting rooms, those living areas which form the heart of the home. These areas are however also at high risk from stains.
If you wish to avoid your floor getting dirty and absorbing the stains, follow these simple but effective instructions for the correct protection of your indoor terracotta floors.
FIRST STEP: Natural-effect stain protection with FILAW68
For natural-effect stain protection, we recommend FILAW68, the eco-friendly protection which does not alter the shade of your terracotta floor. The water-based formula makes it an ideal product for eco-friendly treatment and shortens working time significantly because it can also be applied on surfaces affected by humidity.
Method of application: on a clean and dry terracotta floor, spread the product using a paintbrush or wax applicator fleece pad, applying a little at a time over the entire surface (working well into the grouting). Allow 4 hours for the product to dry then apply a coat of FILAJETdirt repellent protector.
SECOND STEP: FILAJET dirt repellent protector
Following application of FILAW68 water and oil repellent stain protector it’s time to perform the dirt repellent treatment. FILAJET creates a protective film which guards against both wear and the accumulation of dirt, at the same time giving the surface an attractive sheen. How do you apply it? All you need to do is spread FILAJET on the terracotta floor using a cloth or paintbrush and wait for it to dry. No need to polish. After one hour you can complete the treatment with a finishing wax of your choice depending on the effect desired.
THIRD STEP: Natural-effect, satin-effect or glossy protection
The final step involves the finish protection. This is an extremely important yet often underrated step, because its purpose is not only to give the terracotta surface the desired appearance (natural, glossy or satin finish) but also to nourish it, given that this beautiful material, like all natural materials, is absorbent and requires care to remain unaltered over time.
Additionally, the finish ensures optimum protection from superficial wear caused by traffic or movement of chairs and furniture and provides for easy maintenance. So, what should you do? Choose from the range of FILA terracotta waxes the one which provides the appearance desired: FILAMATT (natural-effect), FILASATIN (satin-effect), FILACLASSIC or FILALONG LIFE (polished effect).
Advice from the expert: when should wax be used or not used on terracotta?
The use of wax is best avoided in damp environments and places where there may be water stagnation (bathrooms, showers) because wax in contact with water tends to turn white and spoil. In such environments it is preferable to use a stain or water repellent protector such as FILAPT10 or FILAW68.
There you have it! In a few simple steps we have protected your beautiful terracotta floor from stains and dirt.
