Care guides

Everything we make is handmade from natural materials, and each one asks for a little care. Most of it is simple: a soft cloth, the right soap, and no harsh cleaners.

Full guides

At a glance

Material Clean with Avoid Good to know
Brass and copper sinks Warm water, mild dish soap, a soft cloth Acids left on, bleach and drain cleaner, steel wool Wax every 6 to 12 months; wax again after polishing
Tadelakt Olive oil soap, ideally black soap Acids, dish soap, bathroom cleaners Darkening when wet and hairline lines are normal
Ceramic Mild soap, a soft cloth Abrasive cleaners, steel wool Fine crazing in the glaze is normal
Tamegroute Mild soap, a soft cloth Abrasive cleaners, steel wool Thin-glaze spots and kiln marks are normal
Natural stone pH-neutral soap Acids Ask us about sealing
Zellige Mild pH-neutral soap Harsh chemicals Reseal from time to time

Aged brass

Rinse and wipe dry day to day, clean with warm water and mild dish soap, and re-wax every 6 to 12 months if you like the waxed look. The finish is never locked in: polish lightens it, time deepens it. Read the aged brass guide

Polished brass and copper

  • Clean with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft cloth, then wipe dry.
  • Wax every 6 to 12 months with Renaissance Wax, carnauba or beeswax to slow the patina. How to wax
  • To bring back the shine, use Brasso or a similar polish on brass, and Bar Keepers Friend or Wright's Copper Cream on copper. Polish removes the wax too, so wax afterwards.
  • Prefer a patina? Leave it to age. The finish can always be changed later.

Brass faucets and brackets

  • Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry. Mild soap only, no abrasives or harsh chemicals.
  • Unlacquered and aged pieces develop a patina. Care for them exactly as for sinks: wax, lighten, or let them age.
  • Lacquered and nickel-plated pieces: just wipe clean. Don't polish them, as polish wears through the coating.
  • Brackets: check the wall fixings once in a while.

Tadelakt

Rinse and wipe dry after use, clean with diluted olive oil soap monthly, and give it a pure soap treatment every 3 to 6 months. Never use acids, dish soap or bathroom cleaners. Read the tadelakt guide

Ceramic sinks

  • Clean with mild dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse and wipe dry to prevent water spots.
  • Avoid abrasive cleaners such as Comet or Ajax, steel wool and rough pads, and don't drop heavy objects into the basin.
  • Fine crazing, hairline lines in the glaze, can appear over time. It's normal for handmade ceramics, as are slight variations in color and pattern.
  • Unglazed terracotta is more porous than glazed ceramic. Wipe it dry and avoid harsh chemicals.

Tamegroute sinks

Tamegroute is a glazed ceramic, so everyday care is the same: mild soap, a soft cloth, no abrasives. Thin-glaze spots, where the clay shows through, and small kiln-contact marks are original to the piece, not chips or damage. The glaze pools and varies and can feel slightly uneven in places, so each sink is one of a kind.

Natural stone sinks

Clean with a mild, pH-neutral soap and a soft cloth, then wipe dry. Avoid acids such as vinegar and lemon, and harsh bathroom cleaners. Ask us whether your stone benefits from sealing now and then.

Zellige tiles

  • Clean with mild, pH-neutral soap and water, using a soft cloth or mop.
  • Wipe up spills promptly, especially acidic ones.
  • Zellige is usually sealed when it's installed. Reseal it from time to time following the sealer's instructions; your installer can advise on how often.
  • Avoid harsh acidic or alkaline cleaners and abrasive scrubbers.

Mosaic tables

  • Wipe the top with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry it.
  • Wipe up spills promptly.
  • Outdoors, cover the table or bring it in during freezing weather. Water freezing in the grout can damage it.

Berber rugs

  • Vacuum regularly without a beater bar, or shake out smaller rugs.
  • Blot spills right away with a clean cloth; don't rub.
  • Turn the rug every few months so it wears evenly.
  • For a deep clean, use a professional rug cleaner.

Questions?

If your piece isn't covered here, write to contact@terrafez.com and we'll reply within 24 hours.