Take off your shoes and try it.

@Ann Clark, I am wondering this same question! Have you gone through with using the Zia tile Cotto tiles? I ordered some samples and they are so beautiful but seem like they'd be rough on the feet for an interior floor.

They do feel rough but I ordered them because I love the look. Have not been installed yet.

@Ann Clark. Thanks for the reply! I think the roughness is good in a way because it makes them not slippery (for a floor). Where are you installing yours? I’m thinking of using them for our kitchen floor.

@Ann Clark: also which color and shape did you with for the Cotto? They’re all so gorgeous.

Hexagon, fired earth. I’ll be using the white zellige for backsplash in the kitchen and tidepool zellige for shower in bathroom. 👍

@Ann Clark amazing! Fired earth is my favorite, and whites and greens go so well with that beautiful shade of red. Good luck with your project!

Use a steamer

Nico, wow the pic of your floor is gorgeous. Your experience is concerning, though. But, since I already ordered the cotto and have it sitting in my garage, I guess I'm going to go for it. Do you think a little tile vaccuum would be helpful? I will also order the Fila Matt Wax. Perhaps a sponge mop would help? Looks like I'm going to have to figure it ou!

Ann

Hi Ann, Thanks! We really love how it came out as well. I am confident we'll figure how to upkeep, clean and retreat the floor at some point soon and then I will be able to enjoy it more.

Vacuuming works pretty well for the loose dirt and food bits and stuff. But to clean the stains I still need to figure it out. I think a sponge mop would get torn apart on the tile, although maybe it will be better once I wax it.

Nico, I'm thinking I may order a steam cleaner.

Hi Nico. How did the Fila Matt wax work out on your floors. Ours were just installed - I see a lot of dark marks that I’m going to have to get used to.

Hi Anne - I bought the Fila Matt Wax but have not applied it yet. I need to do a deep cleaning before I do. The tile looks great, but it picks up food stains and grease stains pretty easily, even after being sealed.

Thanks Nico!

Hi Ann and Nico, we are considering the same tile so following along on your cleaning/sealing journey. They both look great BTW.

Hi Ann and Nico, our sample of the fired earth tile just arrived last week. Following along y’all’s cleaning and sealing journey eagerly!

Hi Mallory. I used a mop and lots of water and miracle sealant tile and stone cleaner. I basically had to get down on my hands and knees to get the mop to move smoothly over the tile. On a daily basis, I use a little sponge to grab spills immediately. The fired earth has baked in dark spots that may look to some like it’s dirty. It was hard for me to get used to. You can see them in my pictures. I still love the texture and the color of the tile but I’m not sure I would have chosen it had I known about these dark smudges everywhere. I think they will be less noticeable once the tile darkens overtime. In the meantime, I’ve put down a runner that distracts me from focusing on the spots. It’s possible that one of the darker red tiles will show less of these smudge-like spots. Photos below are of the floor after a recent mopping. FYI Zia suggest mostly sweeping with spot cleaning spills. Hope this helps!

Cyhrtvforenyblookmtoighbonnuoir gret!!!

Ann, WOW! Your entire kitchen looks amazing! The counters, tiles on the walls, the floors- all of it. The cleaning information is very helpful! I agree that the spots will become less noticable. Really appreciate the photos and your response. How did the roughness turn out? That was your initial concern.

I like the texture, no concern about roughness. Thank you!

Nico (or Ann), did you ever apply the wax? I'm considering fired earth cotto for our bathroom — we love the look and color — but the samples snag when you walk on them in socks, which is kind of a deal killer. I'd love to know how the wax turned out!

I have not tried the wax.

I ordered a bunch of the matte wax but never got around to applying it. I did some test tiles with the wax and was pretty satisfied with how easy I go wipe / drag a cloth across it.

However, as it currently is installed with just the sealant, the texture does snag your socks and is extremely difficult to wipe up. It literally tears my sponges or cloths apart. You cannot mop it. To be totally honest, it is currently a PITA to clean. We applied the recommended 511 porous plus sealant which has done a good job sealing it - no food or wine stains really. So eventually I will get around to waxing it and it should improve the texture to be able to mop / clean. All things considered after living with this tile in my kitchen for a year or so, I probably would not have installed it if I could go back. I really love the way it looks but it is not very conducive to my lifestyle; I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and dining with young kids. I probably should have known that going in but I really liked the way it looked and the added texture to our kitchen so I convinced myself it would be fine. It is not the biggest deal, we make do with cleaning it but I would have gone with a polished ceramic tile or just wood if I could do it again. I will try to post some updated pictures at some point as well.

I agree with Nico. The tile is very difficult to clean and easily absorbs stains. I wish I had known prior to installation. I would not install it in my kitchen again. I do, however, like it in our bathroom. It looks great in there and we don’t have the stain issue since we are obviously not cooking in the bathroom. I use a mop and get down on my hands and knees to wipe clean with a towel. The bathroom is a small space, so I mind the cleaning less in there.

In our bathroom

Bathroom

Hi Ann!

i am getting ready to install cotto tile in Red Clay in my kitchen. your experience makes me nervous. did you follow the recommended installation instructions step by step? thank you in advance

Hi Ann! i am getting ready to install Red Clay cotto in our kitchen. Your experience makes me a little nervous. i was curious if you followed tbe recommended installation instructions step by step? thank you in advance

We gave our professional tile installer the instructions and we reviewed them together. I’m assuming he installed as instructed. Your tile is going to look gorgeous.