How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen Backsplash Tile for Longevity

Kitchen backsplash tile provides a fantastic range of color, pattern, and style options for a space. Unlike paint, it stands up to moisture and can be easily cleaned of stains.

It’s also easy to install and maintain, even with complex patterns like chevron or herringbone. But it must be cleaned regularly to avoid watermarks and streaks.

Clean It Regularly

In addition to shielding your walls from spills and splashes as you cook, a kitchen backsplash can also improve the look of the space. You can discover the ideal complement for your kitchen and personal preferences among various materials, colors, and patterns. Even a magnificent kitchen backsplash tile needs extra maintenance and cleaning to maintain its finest appearance.

The most crucial step in cleaning and maintaining your kitchen backsplash is to use a safe cleaner for the material. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions and test any cleaner on a small area of your backsplash before applying it to the entire surface. A simple mixture of water and vinegar or a non-toxic biological cleaner is typically enough to tackle most kitchen backsplashes.

For stricter grease spots, a baking soda paste may help to break them down and remove them from the surface of your backsplash. Apply a paste of two tablespoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of water to the spots and let it sit for about 10 minutes. To avoid leaving water stains, dry the surface thoroughly after rinsing it with a damp cloth.

Cement tile is durable and easy to clean, but removing smudges and streaks from the porous material can still be challenging. To minimize the risk of these unsightly marks, wiping down your cement tile backsplash after every use is essential, using a solution made with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.

Apply a Sealant

Kitchen backsplash tile is an excellent option for homeowners who want a stylish, durable surface that’s also easy to clean. It’s essential to keep cleaning it regularly to prevent the buildup of greasy grease, food splatters, and other grime. But what about applying a sealant to help protect the backsplash tiles against future stains?

Whether your kitchen backsplash is made of glass, porcelain, or natural stone, it can be sealed to help extend its lifespan. Look for a mild and non-toxic sealant designed for your specific backsplash material. Before applying the sealant, test it on a small area of your backsplash to ensure it won’t discolor the tiles.

Wipe up any spills or splatters as soon as they occur to avoid grease and food stains appearing on your kitchen backsplash. The more complicated it will be to remove these stains later, the longer you let them remain.

If your kitchen backsplash tile is heavily soiled with grease, mix mildly abrasive baking soda with water until the mixture forms a paste thick enough to adhere to your tiles. Rub the paste onto greasy areas of your backsplash and allow it to set for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub the area with a clean sponge and rinse it. Repeat as needed until the greasy area is clean.

Wipe Up Spills and Splatters

The easiest way to safeguard your backsplash is to clean up spills and splatters immediately. If you performed this each time you cooked, it would be easier to keep the backsplash clean and prevent grease and grime from accumulating. White vinegar is a fantastic natural cleanser to use for this. Some can be placed in a spray bottle and kept on hand to quickly remove oil and other food stains as they appear. If you notice a particularly stubborn spot or splatter, a mild abrasive cleaner may be needed — just be sure to rinse away any cleaning product residue thoroughly.

Kitchen tile is a popular backsplash option because it is durable and easy to maintain. It is also attractive and can add a nice design element to your room. But like all other kitchen surfaces, it must be cleaned and protected to last. Here are a few simple tips to help you do that.

Vinegar and baking soda fight food stains, grease, soap scum, and other yucky buildups. You can also find commercial degreasing cleaners that are safe to use on backsplashes and other kitchen surfaces. If you have a natural stone backsplash, you should always test any cleaning products on a small area first to ensure they are safe.

Take Care of Grout

Grout is typically the most stained part of a backsplash, particularly in areas around stoves where grease splatter is likely to accumulate. While regular cleaning helps to keep this area looking fresh and clean, you may occasionally need to perform a more thorough job of scrubbing to remove stubborn stains.

For mildly soiled grout, try a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water on the surface and a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach spots along the grout lines. Or, try a non-acidic cleaner that’s safe for your backsplash material, like The Pink Stuff at Amazon (opens in a new tab). This product contains an alkaline solution that breaks down oil and grease, making it ideal for kitchens where splatter is most prevalent.

Consider a professional tile cleaning service if your grout is significantly more soiled than average. They have the specialized equipment and products to safely clean your backsplash without damaging the surface.

Your kitchen backsplash tile can stay beautiful and functional for many years with some care and attention. Keep up with cleaning and sealing to reduce the risk of damage, and regularly wipe up spills and splatters as they occur. Follow these simple steps, and your backsplash will look new for years!

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.