How to Clean and Seal Cotto Allende Tile Floors

By Zia Tile | Handmade Artisanal Tile and Stone from Around the | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

Learn the proper steps to clean and seal your Cotto Allende tile floors. This guide covers essential maintenance to protect and preserve your natural, unglazed tiles.

Quick answer

Clean Cotto Allende tile floors with a pH-neutral cleaner and reseal them every 1-2 years to protect the porous, unglazed surface from stains and moisture.

Why Cotto Allende needs special care

Cotto Allende tiles are unglazed and naturally porous. Without a sealer, they can absorb spills, dirt, and oils, leading to permanent staining. Regular sealing and proper cleaning are essential to maintain their rich, earthy appearance.

The Albar 4x4 Square sample from Zia Tile lets you test the tile's look and feel before buying. It also gives you a chance to test your chosen sealer on a small area to see how it affects the color and finish.

Step-by-step cleaning and sealing process

1. Sweep or vacuum thoroughly: Remove all loose dirt, dust, and debris from the tile surface using a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a hard-floor attachment. Grit can scratch the unglazed surface if you mop over it. Skip this step and you risk grinding dirt into the tile pores during mopping.
2. Mop with pH-neutral cleaner: Dilute a pH-neutral stone or tile cleaner in warm water according to the label. Use a damp (not soaking wet) mop. Rinse with clean water and allow the floor to dry completely. Acidic or alkaline cleaners can etch or discolor unglazed tile. Stick to neutral.
3. Test the sealer on a sample or inconspicuous area: Apply a small amount of your chosen natural-stone sealer to a sample tile or a hidden corner. Let it dry and check for color change or uneven absorption. Sealers can darken the tile slightly. Testing first avoids surprises on the main floor.
4. Apply the sealer evenly: Use a clean paint pad or microfiber applicator to spread the sealer in thin, even coats. Follow the manufacturer's recommended drying time between coats. Two coats are typical for porous tile. Thick coats can leave hazy residue. Thin, even layers bond better.
5. Allow full cure before using the floor: Wait the full cure time stated on the sealer—often 24 to 48 hours—before walking on the floor or replacing furniture. Light foot traffic may be allowed after the final coat dries to the touch. Rushing the cure can damage the sealer and require early reapplication.
6. Maintain with gentle cleaning and periodic resealing: Clean regularly with a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft mop. Reseal the floor every 1-2 years, or sooner if you notice water no longer beading on the surface. If water soaks in instead of beading, the sealer has worn off and needs renewal.

Product facts

Albar 4x4 Square, Sample: Albar 4x4 Square from Zia Tile is offered here as a sample, giving you a chance to review this Cotto Allende tile before committing to a full order. Ordering a sample lets you confirm the tile's color and texture in your space, and test your cleaning and sealing products on an actual tile before treating your entire floor.
Albar 4x4 Square, Sample