Terracotta Tile Cleaning & Sealing

Hampshire Hard Floor Care is a family-run business personally run by Richard and Michelle. We specialise in the cleaning, restoration, and protection of hard flooring across Hampshire, using a combination of professional training, advanced machinery, and industry-approved products.

From deep mechanical cleaning and machine-assisted honing to professional sealing and finishing systems, every stage of the process is carried out by us as the owners. We take the time to assess each floor properly, choose the correct pads, tools, and chemistry, and work methodically to achieve the best possible results.

Because all work is completed by us—not subcontractors—you get consistent quality, honest guidance, and a genuinely personal service. Our aim is always the same: restore your floors safely, beautifully, and with long-lasting protection.

Terracotta is a highly porous, handmade material, and its open structure means it readily absorbs dirt, grime, moisture, and spills. Over time, this leads to dark patches, staining, and a dull, lifeless appearance. Old sealers, waxes, and surface residues can also build up, making the floor look uneven or patchy.

DIY cleaning often isn’t enough — and in some cases, the wrong products or techniques can make things worse. Terracotta can be sensitive to both excessive moisture and harsh chemicals. Using unsuitable cleaners, aggressive scrubbing, or over-wetting the tiles can cause softening, discolouration, or even long-term structural damage. Controlled acidic cleaning can be effective, but only when used professionally and fully neutralised.

Professional care ensures your Terracotta is cleaned safely, deeply, and correctly, restoring its warm, natural character while keeping the tiles protected for years to come.

Richard and Michelle understand the unique needs of Terracotta. This handmade, porous material requires a controlled and knowledgeable approach — and with advanced equipment and specialist stone-care products, they can safely deep-clean and restore your floors while protecting their warm, natural character. Because Terracotta is highly absorbent, staining, dark patches, and old sealant residues are common issues. More information on caring for Terracotta can be found here.

Our cleaning method is safe for all types of Terracotta, from rustic reclaimed tiles to modern handmade variants. We use a combination of pH-neutral, alkaline, and carefully controlled acidic treatments when required. Acidic cleaning can be an essential step for removing stubborn contamination, ingrained soiling, efflorescence, or old cement residues — but only when applied correctly, neutralised thoroughly, and used on suitable Terracotta.

Unlike harsh pressure washing or uncontrolled chemical application, our methods preserve the strength and structure of the tiles. We always assess each floor individually, allowing us to adjust our chemicals, brushes, dwell times, and extraction methods to suit the condition, porosity, and finish of your Terracotta. This ensures a deep, safe clean that prepares the tiles perfectly for sealing.