How To Clean Backsplashes the Right Way

Keeping your kitchen clean protects your household from foodborne illnesses and makes you look like an impeccable housekeeper. However, maintaining a pristine workspace involves handling surfaces you might forget about, like the backsplash. Master Remodelers, a kitchen remodel company in Knoxville, TN, shows you how to clean your backsplash the right way.  

Here’s How To Clean Backsplashes Correctly

The best DIY backsplash cleaning techniques depend on the materials and type of grout used to hold the tiles in place. While store-bought products can quickly dissolve stains and grime, natural backsplash cleaning solutions preserve the tiles and grout. Use the best practices for backsplash maintenance mentioned below to maintain a clean kitchen.

When To Clean Your Backsplash

You should ideally spot-clean your backsplash at the end of each day. A spot clean typically involves spraying an appropriate cleaner across the surface before quickly wiping it with a rag. This simple effort should eliminate any residual spills following daily cooking sessions. 

Perform deep cleanings weekly to keep the grout dazzling white and the tiles luminous. Weekly cleanings may require different cleaning solutions to protect the backsplash integrity and achieve the best look. Use the backsplash cleaning tips to determine where to begin. 

Choosing the Right Cleaner

Delicate backsplash tiles may erode when exposed to abrasive substances. Others hold up well against intense cleaners. You’ll find the solutions that fit your backsplash materials best listed below:

• Stainless steel: First, combine vinegar and warm water to remove grease and food particles. Then, rinse with water to eliminate the strong, acidic smell, following up by rubbing a dab of vegetable oil across the surface for a polished shine. 
• Other metals: Water down an all-purpose cleaner to create a mild solution. Then, moisten the metal surface with the mixture before wiping it dry. 
• Ceramic and porcelain: Mix hot water with dish soap or an all-purpose solution. Spray the warm mixture across the surface, giving it time to lift dirt. Then, wipe it off with a soft, clean cloth. 
• Glass: You can use your favorite gentle, glass-cleaning formula to cleanse and restore the shine to the tiles. 
• Brick, terracotta, and stone: Heavily textured brick and natural stone can react poorly to harsh chemical cleaners. Choose a formula for stone and brick to keep these backsplash materials clean. 
• Mother-of-pearl: You can use a gentle stone cleaner to protect and cleanse your mother-of-pearl backsplash. However, a more expensive solution designed for pearl jewelry will effectively restore its shimmering pearlescence. 

When in doubt, you can typically dilute a mild dish soap with water. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and lightly mist the surface. Using a clean microfiber cloth, rub the solution into the materials.

Finally, soak the cloth with water to rinse the soap off the surface. Experienced remodelers who specialize in tile installation recommend checking the tile manufacturer’s recommendations about how to clean the backsplash with recommended products. 

Don’t forget the grout! Effective backsplash stain removal involves deep cleanings with a grout detergent and a small, abrasive brush. Focus on the tile grout annually to fully sanitize the backsplash and retain its decorative appearance. 

Keeping Your Backsplash Tidy in Between Cleanings

No quick and easy backsplash cleanup guide is complete without a few tips on how to prevent grime buildup in the first place. When you use your kitchen, integrate these habits into your cooking routine to lighten your future cleaning chores:

• Keep the hood vent on when you cook. The vent will suck up hot grease particles, preventing them from splattering on your backsplash.
• Cover pots and pans simmering on the stove. Hot liquids can quickly boil over and splash onto surrounding surfaces.
• Set up a splatter guard in your favorite workspace. You can purchase dishwasher-safe plastic guards or repurpose large pieces of cardboard. 
• When you finish cooking, wipe down the countertop and backsplash immediately. Warm grease and food particles don’t stick to hard, cool surfaces as readily as room-temperature buildup. 
• Regularly schedule sealing services to eliminate surface pores. Some backsplash materials, like brick and stone, are porous. Food and moisture will gradually collect and become increasingly difficult to remove.

Most backsplashes can last for decades with consistent, thorough care. Practicing these tips keeps kitchens timeless, tidy, and inviting.  

Make Your Home Fit You With Master Remodelers

Now that you know how to clean backsplashes, you might feel tempted to create or replace this feature for a fresh, vibrant kitchen design. Our team at Master Remodelers can help you choose and install a popular kitchen backsplash material in your Tennessee home. Call 865-458-0416 to schedule a consultation.