kitchen backsplash

How to Clean Your Dirty Kitchen Backsplash

The average American now spends almost an entire day every month cleaning their house! And if you like to cook at home, you know that a good proportion of that time is spent doing battle with the kitchen backsplash. 

The backsplash truly is a kitchen workhorse. It takes all kinds of abuse, from hot grease to tomato sauce, not to mention a little pasta water thrown in for good measure.

A quick spritz with cleaning spray and a wipe-down might cut it on a daily basis. But when it’s time to really clean your kitchen, you need some deep cleaning tips to get every last speck out of it.

Join us as we explore how to get your kitchen backsplash gleaming again.

Kitchen Backsplash Cleaning 101: Know Your Materials 

Before your grab your scrubbing pad and detergent, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. 

The most likely material you have back there is ceramic or porcelain tile. They’re available in a ton of different styles, are super hardwearing, and have been used for decades to create backsplashes. 

But there are a few modern options that require a different approach. 

If your tiles are extremely shiny and reflective, you may have glass tiles. They’re very easy to keep clean with regular glass cleaner. You just need to use a bit of elbow grease to keep them shining.

Some people have metal backsplash tiles. In the past, they were mainly repurposed ceiling tiles and might have come with a lot of embossed detail. That can be a little tricky to clean and takes some time and dedication.

There are brushed steel and copper effect tiles that are either arranged in subway or herringbone styles. There are a few cleaners that you should definitely avoid to keep these looking their best.

Little and Often Is Best

With a good routine of kitchen backsplash cleaning, deep cleaning will be a breeze.

Get into the habit of wiping up splashes as soon as they happen. Usually, the grout is the most vulnerable part of the setup. It’s porous and over time the sealant can get worn away.

So if you notice that food or grease has splashed against it, try to wipe it up as soon as possible. Of course, it may not always be practical to do it right away if you have hot pans belching out steam on every burner. But as soon as you’ve finished cooking, remove the bulk of the splash so that the stains don’t dry on.

How to Clean Backsplash Tile

Your everyday go-to is simply a mild detergent, water, and elbow grease.

A quick spritz with kitchen spray or even water with a few drops of dish soap mixed in will go to work, breaking down grease. Once it has started to work the molecules apart, you’ll be able to scrub them away using a regular kitchen scrubber.

Work in sweeping motions. Then wipe them away the remaining detergent and dry the surface with a soft cloth.

At this point, take a step back and see how it looks. Are there still discolored patches, especially on the grout? If so, it’s time to take things to the next level

Cleaning Backsplash Grout

A few simple household ingredients can combine to create a powerful grout cleaner. This is suitable for use on ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles but spot check before you use it on metal ones.

Take equal parts white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice and make a paste out of them. Take an old toothbrush and apply this to any stains or grease spots.

The acid will help to break down the grease. It will also react with the baking soda and release carbon dioxide gas. This will help to lift the stains and make them easier to remove.

Keep scrubbing at the stains with the paste until you see an improvement. Then use a damp, clean cloth to wipe the residue away.

It’s always a good idea to protect your backsplash grout with a sealer. If it’s been a while since you sealed your grout, give it a thorough clean. When it’s gleaming again, wait for it to dry completely and apply sealer as directed on the package.

How to Clean Metal Backsplash Tile

Metal backsplash tiles are specially designed to resist rust and dirt. But if you use the wrong type of detergent, it could strip away their protection and leave them vulnerable. If you’re not sure about the detergent, spot test it on the most inconspicuous spot first.

Avoid bleach or oil-based cleaning products. Instead, stick to a simple weak mixture of mild detergent and water. Spritz any dried-on stains with the solution and leave them for a few moments.

Use a gentle cloth to keep working away at any stains that have dried on.

Metal finishes are quite tough, but if you scratch them it’s almost impossible to get them out. So avoid using brushes, scourers, or scrubbers that have metal in them.

Dealing with Severe Problems

If you move into a new home, you may inherit a kitchen backsplash that has not been well cared for. In this case, you may have years of kitchen grime and even mold and mildew to deal with.

It might be time to turn to our old friend bleach for some assistance. Always wear rubber gloves and follow the advice on the label. Thick bleach can usually even remove mold and mildew spots from grout.

If not, it’s time to buy some stronger grout cleaner online. Alternatively, call in the professionals!

Houston house cleaners can clean your kitchen regularly or give it a one-time deep clean. They’ll use their years of experience to banish kitchen grime and make your backsplash shine again.

Let Detail Cleaning Services Do the Hard Work For You

Keeping your kitchen backsplash and the rest of the kitchen sparkling clean can be a challenge for hardworking families. With so many demands on your time, you may appreciate a helping hand occasionally – or on a regular basis.

At Detail Cleaning, we love the jobs you hate. For immediate service, call us at (832) 483-5721 or get an instant quote online today!

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