How to Clean Kitchen Backsplash Tiles
Backsplashes used to be simply a function-based addition to a kitchen, designed specifically to protect the wall behind a stove. They were generally constructed of plastic or whatever linoleum was on the countertop. Today’s backsplashes serve the same purpose, of course, but they are much more diverse and style-conscious. Backsplashes are now made out of a variety of materials, not necessarily matching the countertop: stainless steel, slate, glass, marble, and ceramic tile to name a few. So, now that you have the backsplash of your dreams, you’re going to want to keep it clean. Here’s how to clean a backsplash of ceramic subway tile (which is the same process you’ll use for marble, glass, and plastic backsplashes as well).
The tile behind your stove is probably the worst off, with grease spots and food splatters and any variety of messiness that, in the frenzy of food prep, doesn’t get wiped up right away.
You’ll want to spray your tile with an all-purpose de-greasing cleaner. Make sure that if your cleaner is a concentrate, you dilute it appropriately.
Splatter-spray the tile thoroughly. You want good coverage of the cleaner to be able to do its de-greasing but not so much that the cleaner simply runs down the wall.
Wait 15-20 minutes for the de-greasing action to take effect. While your behind-the-stove backsplash is being worked on by your cleaner, you can attack the rest of your kitchen’s backsplash.
Another area of the backsplash that requires daily cleaning is behind the sink. Mostly, these two areas (behind the sink and behind the stove) are the most high-traffic as far as splatter potential goes.
You can use the same all-purpose cleaner here, but instead of spending a lot of time waiting for the de-greasing, simply spray the area broadly. Use a plastic scraper, plastic spatula, or old credit card (anything with a slim edge that won’t scratch your tile backsplash) to scrape off any dried bits.
Wipe the backsplash clean with a soft cloth or paper towels. Repeat if necessary, using a cleaning toothbrush gently along the grout lines if needed.
After the 15-20 minutes are up for the backsplash behind the stove, wipe the backsplash clean with a soft cloth or paper towels. Your splatters and greasy patches should come right off.
You can repeat any of these steps as many times as needed if you aren’t completely satisfied with the cleanliness. Finally, rinse the backsplash with a clean, damp rag to remove any cleaner residue. Enjoy your sparkly clean backsplash!