Handcrafted Ceramic Tile: Maintenance Tips for Lasting Beauty

You spent real money on handcrafted ceramic tile. The colors are rich, the texture is one-of-a-kind, and every piece carries a little bit of the artisan who made it. The last thing you want is to watch that beauty fade because of a wrong cleaner or a forgotten grout seal. Here at Zellaro, we work with these tiles every day, and we hear the same questions over and over: how do I clean it, what should I avoid, how do I keep the grout from looking grimy? This guide answers all of it, directly and plainly.

The tile industry is growing fast, and for good reason.

• The global ceramic tiles market was valued at USD 112.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 5.6% CAGR through 2034. (Global Market Insights)

• Online tile sales channels are expanding at a 10.53% CAGR, as more buyers order samples and get direct delivery. (Mordor Intelligence)

Why Handcrafted Tile Needs a Different Approach

Mass-produced tile is fired in controlled conditions and glazed by machines. Every piece comes out nearly identical. Handcraft tile is different at its core. Artisans apply glaze by hand, which creates natural variation in coverage, thickness, and sheen. That variation is what makes it beautiful, but it also means the glaze surface is less uniform than factory tile. Some areas may be microscopically thinner, and those are the spots most vulnerable to chemical damage.

This is not a flaw. It is what gives the tile its soul. But it does mean that cleaning practices that work fine on commercial porcelain can damage a hand crafted tile over time. Using the wrong product once is usually fine. Using it weekly for six months is where real problems start.

The most important thing to understand is that both alkaline and acidic cleaners attack glaze. Bleach-based products, vinegar, lemon-based sprays, and anything labeled "heavy duty grout and tile cleaner" at the hardware store are almost all problematic for artisan surfaces. What you need is a pH-neutral cleaner, which sits in the middle of the scale and removes dirt without breaking down the glaze compounds.

We recommend diluted dish soap or a pH-neutral stone-and-tile cleaner for routine maintenance. Spray it on, wipe with a soft cloth or microfiber pad, and rinse with clean water. That is genuinely all most installations need week to week.

The Tools You Use Matter as Much as the Products

The tools you use to clean tile can have just as much impact on its appearance as the cleaning products themselves. Many homeowners choose the right cleaner but accidentally damage the surface with abrasive tools. Steel wool, scouring pads, and the rough side of common kitchen sponges can create tiny scratches in the glaze. These micro-scratches build up over time, causing handcrafted ceramic tile to lose its original luster and develop a worn appearance.

For stubborn spots, place a damp cloth over the area for five to ten minutes before wiping. This softens residue and reduces the need for excessive pressure that could damage the glaze.

When cleaning floors, use a well-wrung mop and a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid steam mops on handcrafted ceramic tile because heat and pressure can contribute to crazing, which may eventually allow stains and moisture to penetrate beneath the glaze.

For outdoor tile, the maintenance challenges shift a bit. Stone pavers and outdoor installations face efflorescence, which is the white chalky mineral deposit that appears when water moves through the tile or substrate and pulls salts to the surface. Our guide to choosing and maintaining outdoor paver tiles covers this in detail, including the right treatment methods that will not damage the tile face.

Keeping Daily Cleaning Simple

Most handcrafted tile does not need to be cleaned as often or as aggressively as people think. For kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls, a weekly wipe-down with a damp microfiber cloth is usually enough. If there is cooking splash or soap residue, a small amount of diluted pH-neutral cleaner handles it. For floors in low-traffic spaces, cleaning every week or two is plenty.

What you do want to be consistent about is drying. Letting water sit on glazed tile, especially near grout lines, contributes to grout degradation and can encourage mold. After cleaning, run a dry cloth over the surface or let the space ventilate until it is completely dry.

For decorative installations like fireplace surrounds, the maintenance need is even lower. These surfaces are not regularly exposed to water, so a monthly dusting and occasional damp cloth is all that is required. If you are planning a fireplace feature wall, this guide on using handmade artisan tiles for fireplace surrounds and feature walls walks through the right tile choices and installation approaches for that specific application.

Grout Is Half the Equation

People often forget that grout is a major part of any tiled surface, and it is far more porous than the tile face. Unsealed grout absorbs oils, cleaning products, and moisture directly. Over time, it discolors, weakens, and can crack.

The fix is a quality grout sealer applied on a regular schedule. For most residential installations, sealing once a year is adequate. High-traffic areas like kitchen floors or shower enclosures benefit from sealing every six months. The sealer fills the grout pores and makes the surface dramatically easier to clean.

Here is the process we recommend:

• Wait at least 72 hours after installation before sealing

• Clean grout lines thoroughly and let them dry completely

• Apply grout sealer with a small brush, working in sections

• Wipe any excess sealer off the tile face right away to prevent haze

• Let it cure for 24 to 48 hours before heavy use

If you notice efflorescence appearing in interior grout lines, it usually signals a moisture issue in the substrate behind the wall. The deposits can be carefully removed with a briefly applied, diluted white vinegar solution, but if they keep returning, the moisture source needs to be addressed directly.

Maintenance Tips for Specific Handcrafted Tile Types

Not all handcrafted tile is the same, and the specific finish affects how you care for it. Our custom ceramic tiles range from zellige to matte encaustic cement, and each has slightly different needs.

• Zellige tile has a naturally varied, slightly textured glaze surface. It benefits from an additional coat of impregnating sealer after installation in wet areas. Avoid polishing products entirely since they fill the natural variation that makes zellige distinctive.

• Encaustic cement tile is not glazed at all. Its color comes from pigmented cement pressed into a mold, making it significantly more porous than ceramic. This handcraft tile absolutely requires sealing before use and consistent re-sealing. A pH-neutral cleaner is non-negotiable here since even mild acidic exposure can etch the surface and permanently alter the color.

• Terrazzo tile is durable but can dull from alkaline cleaners over time. A neutral floor cleaner and periodic use of a terrazzo-safe polish keeps the surface looking its best.

If you have zellige installed and want to keep its colors looking their best long term, our guide to burgundy zellige tile and color pairings explains how specific colors behave and what environments suit them best.

Where to Buy Handcrafted Ceramic Tile Online

One of the most common questions we get is where to actually buy quality handcrafted ceramic tile online without the risk of getting something that looks nothing like the photos. The issue with large tile retailers is that they carry artisan tile as a small slice of a huge inventory, meaning product knowledge is often thin.

At Zellaro Tile, we specialize in handcrafted zellige, encaustic cement, terrazzo, and natural stone. We offer free samples so you can see the actual color variation and texture in your own space before committing to a full order. Our trade program also serves architects and designers who need larger quantities or custom specifications.

When shopping for handcrafted tile online from any supplier, always request samples first, verify that the team can speak to the specific glaze type and its care requirements, and confirm that installation guidance is included for that specific product. A supplier who cannot tell you what pH cleaner to use does not really know the product they are selling.

FAQs

How to make ceramic tile shine naturally?

Regular cleaning with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner helps ceramic tile maintain its natural shine. Drying the surface with a microfiber cloth after cleaning also prevents water spots and residue buildup.

What is the 3 4 5 rule for tiling?

The 3-4-5 rule is a simple method used to create a perfect 90-degree angle during tile layout. Measure 3 units along one line, 4 units along the other, and the diagonal between those points should measure 5 units if the angle is square.

How do you maintain ceramic tile?

Maintain ceramic tile by sweeping or vacuuming regularly, cleaning with a pH-neutral solution, and wiping up spills promptly. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh scrubbing tools that can damage the glaze and reduce the tile's appearance over time.

Final Thoughts on Handcrafted Ceramic Tile

Caring for handcrafted ceramic tile is not complicated. It just requires the right habits and a little awareness about what these surfaces actually are. Use a pH-neutral cleaner, skip the abrasive pads, seal your grout annually, and stay away from steam on glazed surfaces. Do those four things and your tile will look as striking in fifteen years as it did on day one.

If you have questions about a specific product or need care advice matched to your installation, reach out to us at zellarotile.com. We are always happy to help.