Tadelakt Maintenance

So we know Tadelakt is the ideal bath and shower surface because of its inherent antimicrobial properties, smoothness and ability to regulate humidity. The questions I receive a lot as a Tadelakt artisan, both before and after installation revolve around maintenance. What does it take to keep Tadelakt looking good? What cleaner should I use? How often should I clean it? How does it perform in hardwater? Does it need more sealer? Should I wax it? All these questions and more answered below.

Waxing over Tadelakt is optional, some benefits and some drawbacks.

To Wax or not to Wax: Tadelakt functions without wax, and I personally recommend leaving the Tadelakt surface unwaxed. It is my recommendation because I don't like creating extra work for myself in the future. If you wax, you will need to rewax the walls perisodically as it wears. Usually about once a year for a typical adult shower. Wax is also potential mold food. So all that wondrous anti-microbial surface that Tadelakt is, becomes subdued when we put wax over it. This doesn't mean it will mold just we are introducing something that can help support mold growth. The one drawback, with leaving Tadelakt unwaxed, means the walls will patina more. You make get darker areas where a soap or shampoo may have stained it or some areas may show the darker wet look easier than others. I like the patina and the movement. If you want to preserve that just installed look, wax.

So why would I wax? Well, wax does offer an extra layer of protection, against staining or harsh cleaners. But mostly, people wax because, well, have you seen a waxed Tadelakt surface and run your hand over it? Its amazing, the beauty, luster and feel cannot be overstated. Most people opt for wax just based on the aesthetic alone. Future re-coats seen as well worth it. Follow your heart and do what you want here, it's your beautiful bath.

What cleaner should I use? All you need to wash your Tadelakt shower is a sponge and olive-oil based soap. Just a quick wipe down and rinse does the job. DO NOT USE ACIDIC CLEANERS. Vinegar or other acidic cleaners are very hard on Tadelakt because the pH of the lime plaster used to create Tadelakt is basic. Acidic cleaners can etch the surface so avoid them.

Abrasive cleaner? No abrasive cleaners as you may potentially damage the surface. A sponge will do the trick.

After a shower? After a shower I recommend giving the walls a quick squeegee just like you do your glass shower door. At first it seems rediculous, but after not scrubbing grout at all you quickly the trade off is well worth it. This works to keep water spots off the surface if you have particularly hard water and a darker shower color as well.

Is there Sealer Maintenance? Tadelakt require no sealer maintenance, because of its very nature. Part of the magic of Tadelakt is that while it is curing the introduction of olive-oil based soap creates a chemical reaction that makes a natural wax which is chemically embedded in the surface. It doesn't come off unless the plaster comes off. The only way you would have "sealer maintenance" is if you decided to wax and were maintaining the lustrous look of the waxed surface.

Long Term Maintenance: What does taking care of Tadelakt look like long term? Other than squeegee and periodic cleaning, there is really on one long term maintenance item. This is what happens where the plaster meets the tile floor? We put silicone there to seal transition from plaster to tile. Eventually the silicone will fail, (this happen between a tile wall and and tile floor, between a tub surround and tile wall, silicone will fail). When this happens water can wick up the plaster which is not ideal. The good news is you can see when this is happening because the plaster gets darker just like concrete gets darker when wet. The water is not a problem as the Tadelakt is breathable and it will dry out. However you don't want water routinely getting behind your plaster. The solution is simple. Remove the silicone, clean both surfaces and reapply a bead of silicone. A simple, yet unfun task, but something we are all familiar with in any bathroom.

There you have it, pretty simple I think.