saltillo tile maintenance

[LWank]

I have saltillo floor tile in my kitchen, installed by the prior owners in 1996. For the most part, the floor looks great with decent shine, however it is scratched under the kitchen table/chairs. The rest of the tile is primarily for walking, however if I do drag the highchair (on wheels) along these tiles they seem to scratch a bit too. I would like to start some regular maintenance to protect the floor. Any suggestions? I believe it has either a polyeurethane sealer or a glaze (are these the same) on it and no wax. Do I simply wax it, or is there a better way with some other chemical? My fear with waxing is that the wax will scratch even more easily than the sealer now and will not look good.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

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[John Bridge]

Hi L, :)

Let's be sure you have Saltillo tiles. Saltillo tiles are raw clay with a finish applied. Glazed tiles are not Saltillo tiles Which do you have? :)

[doitright]

Hi L, Welcome :)

A lot of the mexican tiles were also being coated with epoxy finishes, boxed, shipped. I used to always use the raw tiles John is referring to, and finish on site.

Can you post a picture? Please give us a 1st name also. ;)

[LWank]

The name is Leslie. Two different tile guys told me that this is saltillo tile. Also, I have a box in the garage with some extra tiles that I believe is marked 'mexico.' I will take a picture and check the box again for any other clue tomorrow. I will also check the tiles in the box to see if they look as shiny as those that are installed. Thanks again.

[LWank]

The box actually says saltillo clay floor tile, made in mexico. I have attached pictures of my floor with the extra tile from the box placed on top. I'm guessing it was pre-sealed, because the extra tile repels water and looks glossy like my floor. The strange part is that the tile looks an entirely different color, much more orange than my floor (and so do the others in the box).

Again, my basic questions is whether or not I should wax the floor. Is there any reason not to? Is there some other topical chemical that is better?

I have had two tile guys at my home. The first suggested a hand cleaning (optional) and paste wax application.. very reasonable cost. The second sent me estimates on a serious cleaning (machines, tape) with blue super strip and SCS. Then BUtcher Iron Stone sealer and floor covering. Then butchers wax.