The terracotta floors in summer can suffer invisible but deep damage. Often small daily gestures are underestimated which, over time, make them opaque, chapped or even permanently stained.
When the temperatures rise, the care of the house also changes. The materials respond differently to the heat, to the humidity, to the light. And the terracotta, which has a rustic and authentic charm, is also one of the most vulnerable. Its beauty, in fact, is linked precisely to that living and natural surface which, however, if poorly managed, can be ruined even in a few months. During the summer, thanks to the longest days and the increase in domestic activities, it is easy to neglect small signals that indicate suffering. A color that fades, a shine that vanishes, an unexpected roughness to the touch: they are all alarm bells that should not be ignored.
The problem is that often you don’t notice the damage until they are evident. And at that point intervene can mean resorting to expensive or invasive solutions. Better prevent a little regular attention. A simple advice? Observe the terracotta every week. If it changes color, if it becomes more rough or loses shine, something is wrong. Better to intervene immediately, avoiding the 3 most common errors.
Use too much water ruins terracotta floors
It is often thought that the terracotta is a resistant material, almost indestructible. In fact, it is porous It is sensitive to humidity. During the summer, the idea of passing the wet mocio every day may seem refreshing, but it is a mistake that you pay dearly in the long run. Excess water penetrates the escapes, it restores, and can favor the formation of halosmold or dark spots. And if the surface is treated with wax, the water contributes to dissolving it, making the floor more and more opaque.
A damp cloth is more than enough. Even better if accompanied by a neutral and delicate detergent. On the other hand, aggressive detergents should be avoided: the initial brilliant effect is only an illusion.
Leave the cooked exposed to the direct sun
During the summer months, the sun reaches a power that can become the enemy of the most delicate materials. The terracotta, despite being robust apparently, is very sensitive to direct light. Solving the effect of sunlight can compromise the aesthetics of a whole room.
Those who leave the windows open for hours without shields often do it lightly, perhaps to let some air enter. Yet the floor suffers. The difference between illuminated areas and shaded areas can become visible already after a few weeks of continuous exposure.
An expert eye immediately recognizes those faded shades typical of the materials that took too much sun. And at that point it is difficult to go back, if not with expensive and invasive treatments.
To avoid these damage, here are some simple but fundamental precautions:
- Use linen or light cotton curtains to filter the light in the hottest hours
- Place clear and breathable rugs in the most exposed points
- Periodically move the furniture to avoid contrasting disconnected areas
- Arieraging only early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is less aggressive
- Evaluate the application of specific UV protection for terracotta surfaces
Ignore seasonal maintenance
Summer is the ideal time to make one light but targeted maintenance del Cotto. Still, we often forget that floors also need a seasonal check-up. A common mistake is to think that ordinary cleaning is enough.
Instead, in summer it would be useful to apply a breathable protective wax, which does not create annoying films but let the material breathe. You should check the escapes to check if there are cracks or small infiltrations and, in that case, intervene immediately. The stains should be removed with natural methods, such as a baking soda and water paste, avoiding aggressive chemicals. The use of oily products is also to be avoided: they tend to attract dust and make the floor visually dirty faster.
There are no miraculous products, just a little constancy. Also because the terracotta, if treated well, can last decades keeping its appearance warm and welcoming.
A terracotta floor tells stories, absorbs light, transmits heat. But all this is lost if it is neglected. Better to know him, respect him and take care of it with simple but constant gestures.
Who does it, no longer comes back.
Photo © Stock.adobe
FOLLOW CASTLI NEWS ON
