Moroccan Zellige is a fired terracotta tile protected by a hard glass glaze, which makes it surprisingly easy to care for — as long as you use the right products. Here is exactly how to keep your handmade tiles looking like the day they were installed.
Everyday Cleaning
For daily maintenance, all you need is a damp microfiber cloth or mop and warm water. Wipe down the surface and dry lightly. On glazed Zellige, grout is the only part that needs real attention: clean the joints with an old toothbrush and a neutral cleaner occasionally.
Which Products Are Safe?
- Safe: warm water, mild soap, vinegar diluted at 10% (for glazed tiles), specialist grout cleaner.
- Avoid: abrasive powders, scouring pads, metal brushes, bleach-based products, floor strippers and acids on natural (unglazed) tiles.
If your bathroom has water marks, a diluted vinegar solution lifts lime scale from the glaze easily. Rinse well afterwards.
Cleaning the Kitchen Backsplash
Grease on a Zellige backsplash comes off with warm soapy water on a soft sponge. For stubborn oil, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and rinse — the glaze is non-porous, so nothing soaks in. Avoid abrasive cream cleaners that can dull the glaze over years of use.
Bathroom Lime Scale and Soap
In showers and around tubs, soap scum and lime deposit over time. Clean with white vinegar diluted in water (one part vinegar to nine parts water), leave for a few minutes, then rinse. Never use concentrated acid near the grout or on the glaze, and for 5x5 cm mosaic surfaces use a soft brush to reach all joints.
What about Natural (Unglazed) Zellige?
Natural terracotta Zellige is porous and needs more care. Seal it after installation with a breathable impregnator, then maintain it with specific terracotta soap. Avoid water-soaking unglazed floors and never use acidic cleaners on them.
Pro Recommendation
Rule of thumb: gentle, neutral and frequent. Handmade glazed Zellige is one of the easiest tiles to maintain — the glaze is its armor. Read the installation guide to make sure your grout is well laid, and plan your next project by requesting a quote.