If you’ve recently had to choose a natural stone for your kitchen countertops, the next step is to complement your backsplashes with natural stone as well. This adds a unique aesthetic touch that simply can’t be achieved with plain paint or wallpaper. Backsplashes are a great idea because they protect your walls near the countertops from everything that will splash onto them while you’re prepping, baking and cooking.
Rather than compromise the look of your kitchen with laminate or ceramic panels, consider adding a natural stone backsplash. Not only do they look beautiful, they are easy to clean any accumulated grease, dust particles and food residue.
Here are some tips:
1. Select the Right Finish
To balance out their interior décor, most homeowners decide to match their floors and counters using the same stone on the backsplash, whether that’s granite, quartz or some other stone. The type of finish you choose is important. When possible, the surface should be smooth and polished. If you go with a textured surface for a backsplash behind your stove, for example, it will require more scrubbing and cleaning to get grease splatters off.
2. Come Up With a Cleaning Schedule
It’s easy to forget about regularly cleaning your stone backsplashes, but they still need to be cleaned just as frequently as the countertops. Come up with a schedule and stick to it. Start with each backsplash section before moving onto the countertops. The best time to do this is right after cooking.
3. Seal the Panels
Just like your granite countertops, your stone backsplashes should be sealed with sealer just as often, especially if they are tiles that are separated by grout lines. A strong sealant will serve to protect your stone backsplash from water, food and grease. Plus, this will make them much easier to clean.
4. Pay Attention to the Grout
Most stone backsplashes have grouted tiles, meaning they get a lot dirtier, much more often than you would expect. Clean grout lines with a stone-safe cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. For dark stone tiles, apply a staining treatment to the grout so you don’t have to scrub it as often.
5. Clean Greasy Residue
When your stone panels are located close to the stove’s back, they get splashed every day with grease when you cook. If you notice stubborn greasy spots that don’t go away after wiping them down, use a soft scouring pad to do the scrubbing. Reapply sealant in these areas more frequently.
Incorporating natural stone backsplashes into your kitchen is a great idea for any homeowner; just be sure to give them a little TLC every day.
Contact Granite Guy
To learn more about backsplash stones that work well in your kitchen or bath, contact us at 508-460-7900. We can recommend the best type that pairs with your natural stone counters, and then install them for the most seamless look.