Tadelakt care
Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan lime plaster, used for centuries in riads, hammams and palaces. Your sink was shaped and burnished by hand in Fez. With a little soap now and then, it gives decades of service and only becomes more beautiful with age.
How tadelakt works
The name means "to rub in" or "to massage", after the polishing that gives tadelakt its sheen. Olive oil soap reacts with the lime: the fatty acids in the soap combine with calcium hydroxide to form calcium stearate, a water-resistant layer that seals the surface from within, not just on top.
Tadelakt is water-resistant, not waterproof. Only genuine soap, made by saponification, creates this seal. Raw olive oil won't work and can darken the plaster, and dish soap or synthetic detergents strip it away.
Care schedule
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each use | Rinse with water and wipe dry with a soft cloth. |
| Monthly | Clean with diluted olive oil soap: about 1 tablespoon per liter (about 1 US quart) of warm water. |
| Every 3 to 6 months | Apply pure olive oil soap directly, massage it in, and buff with a soft cloth. |
| About once a year | Inspect for wear. After a soap treatment has set, apply a thin coat of carnauba wax. |
Adjust to how much the sink is used: a busy family sink may want soap more often, a guest bath can go longer. If water still beads, the seal is fine. When it stops beading or looks dull, it's time for soap.
Wax is the finishing step, not a substitute for soap. Soap rebuilds the seal; wax protects it and deepens the sheen.
Which soap to use
Black soap (savon noir)
Traditional Moroccan soap made from olive oil and crushed black olives, saponified with potash. Soft and gel-like. It's the best choice, because potassium-based soap bonds best with lime.
Marseille soap
Use only the green, olive oil kind. The "72%" on the label means total vegetable oil, not olive oil. A good backup when black soap isn't available.
At the sink
A genuine olive oil or Marseille liquid soap by the tap quietly helps maintain the finish. Avoid ordinary synthetic hand washes.
Never use
- Acids: vinegar, lemon, citrus cleaners, limescale removers, wine
- Commercial bathroom cleaners, which mostly contain acids or harsh chemicals
- Abrasive scrubbers or scouring pads
- Dish soap or synthetic detergents
- Paint or sealers over the surface, which stop it breathing
Lime is alkaline and reacts with acids, which etch the surface and break the seal.
What's normal
- Darkening when wet. The surface brightens again as it dries, and regular soap evens it out.
- Fine hairline lines. They come from the lime curing and the hand burnishing, often close on their own as the lime crystallizes, and show more when the surface is wet. No repair is needed unless a crack lets water through or spoils the look.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Water not beading | The seal has worn. Apply a soap treatment 2 to 3 times, then finish with carnauba wax if it persists. |
| Dull surface | Apply olive oil soap, massage it in and buff. A thin coat of carnauba wax restores depth. |
| Chalky residue | Rinse with water, then apply soap to restore the sheen. |
| Hard water stains | Scrub gently with a soft brush and olive oil soap. Never vinegar. |
| Dark spots when wet | Normal water absorption. It brightens as it dries. |
Repairing chips, cracks and small holes
You'll need: tadelakt powder in a matching color, water, olive oil soap (black soap is best), a flexible spatula, and a polishing stone or a smooth river pebble.
- Try re-compression first. Dampen the area with diluted olive oil soap and rub firmly with the stone in circles. This alone often closes hairline cracks.
- Prepare a paste if needed. Mix tadelakt powder with water to a thick, toothpaste-like consistency.
- Clean and fill. Remove loose material, dampen the area, press the paste firmly into the crack or hole, and overfill slightly.
- Let it set for several hours, until firm but not fully cured.
- Polish with the stone in circles, applying olive oil soap as you go.
- Cure. Keep it dry for 24 hours, then use it as normal.
Repairs may stay slightly visible, especially on darker colors. Tadelakt's natural variation helps them blend over time.
When to call a professional
- Cracks wider than 2 mm, or structural damage
- Water leaking through the surface
- Significant fading, discoloration, or a rough, gritty texture after cleaning
- Repairs bigger than small touch-ups
Questions about your tadelakt?
Send us a photo at contact@terrafez.com and we'll reply within 24 hours, or call +1 (307) 533-6380.