If you’re looking to install a backsplash in conjunction with your new countertops, it’s important to remember to keep them clean. Backsplashes are there for a reason: to keep splashes and spills off the paint job on the wall. After all, it’s much easier to wipe up a pasta sauce splash on a stone tile surface than paint.

These unique aesthetic accents can pull together your kitchen nicely, offering both function and beauty. But because backsplashes get so much action, they get dirty, too, and as such they should be wiped down daily.

Here are some tips on how to clean your natural stone backsplashes, keeping them free of accumulated grease, food residue and dust particles.

Choose the Proper Finish

You may want to match your floors and counters using the same stone as the backsplash. Whether you choose granite, quartz or some other stone, it’s important to choose the right type of finish. The surface should be polished and smooth rather than textured, which is harder to clean. Textured surfaces require more elbow grease to get particles and oil off.

Stick to a Cleaning Schedule

Backsplashes are often neglected in regular cleaning of countertops, but you should include them in your daily routine. They need the cleanup just as frequently as your countertops. Create a schedule and stick to it, such as right after prep work and right after cooking.

Seal the Panels

Just like you have to seal your granite countertops regularly, you should seal your stone backsplashes. In fact, they need this more often due to the porous grout lines in between. Food particles, grease and water can get into that grout and lead to discoloration and breakdown.  

Pay Attention to the Grout

Speaking of grout, most stone backsplashes have grouted tiles. This means they accumulate a lot of dirt and debris. They may also darken with time. That’s why it’s important to concentrate on cleaning the grout lines with stone-safe cleaners coupled with a soft-bristled brush. If you have dark stone tiles, use an approved staining treatment on the grout so not as much scrubbing is required. It’s easy to wipe down the tiles with a sponge and move on, but your grout needs just as much attention.

Clean Up Residue

Stone panels behind the back of the stove get the dirtiest of all backsplash placements. They’re susceptible to anything from grease spatters to sauce that bubbles over. If those stubborn spots don’t get removed with a simple wipe-down, grab a soft scouring pad and scrub the area. Reapply sealant in those high-traffic areas more frequently.

While natural stone backsplashes certainly make your kitchen pop, it’s important to give them plenty of TLC every day – just like you do your counters.

Contact Granite Guy

Not sure which backsplash stones would work well in your kitchen? Just contact us at 508-460-7900n so our natural stone installers in Westwood can recommend the best for your preferences and budget.