How to Take Care of Tadelakt

As an increasingly popular option when it comes to surface finishes, it is definitely worth knowing a bit about how to take care of tadelakt. This is a lime-based plaster that is entirely natural, so giving it the right sort of tender loving care is important. Tadelakt has its origins in Morocco and is very easy to look after, so there’s no need to be daunted by it: keeping it clean is simple and with some straightforward maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your tadelakt surfaces in great condition for years to come.

Simple works best

You’ll be pleased to hear that for tadelakt, the simple solution is generally the best solution. For instance, when you are cleaning your surfaces, you will usually only need to use some clean water and a soft sponge to remove any grime that has built up. If you feel as though you need a bit more cleaning power then you can add a small amount of olive oil soap to the water.

Why is it so easy to keep tadelakt clean? Essentially, this is because the surface is finished with a layer of soap solution. This means that grime is much less likely to build up on it in the same way that it can do on various other types of surface. This makes it easier to clean and is especially useful in areas such as shower cubicles, where grime can be an issue.

 Preserving your surfaces

This layer of soap solution will require topping up from time to time to make sure it is as effective as it can possibly be. It is very easy to do this: you just need to apply the soap to the tadelakt using a decorator’s sponge. When the surface stops absorbing the soap, you know that you have applied enough. If there is any excess left on the surface, simply rub it in with your hands. Leave the surface alone for a few hours afterwards so it has chance to dry before you use it again.

How often the surface in question gets wet is likely to determine how often you need to reapply the soap solution. If you only use the area occasionally then reapplying once every six months ought to be enough. However, if you use it every day (as you are likely to do with shower cubicles and sinks), you may well need to do it every month. You’ll be able to tell when to do it as the surface will start to lose its waterproof properties.

What not to do

There are a couple of things you should avoid when taking care of your tadelakt surfaces. Most importantly, avoid using any harsh solvents such as bleach, as this could damage the surface and you don’t need to use them anyway.

If you do need to use alternative cleaning products, such as if you need to clean a chrome shower head, apply the solvent directly to a sponge to stop it from coming into contact with the tadelakt. This way, you can keep all of your surfaces in good condition. As it is a natural material, the soap and water should be plenty for your tadelakt.

Dealing with unexpected problems

Finally, if you have an unexpected problem and your tadelakt needs retouching, don’t do it yourself. Applying it correctly is something of an art as it needs to be kept watertight. This means it’s best to get in touch with the company that did your surface for you originally if anything goes wrong; they’ll be able to advise you on your best options and make any repairs to your tadelakt if necessary.

This article was supplied by Décor Tadelakt, a Bristol based talented team of decorative plasterers specialising in Polished plaster, Venetian plaster and Moroccan Tadelakt.