Although beautiful, backsplashes do serve a function and that is to protect your walls from the mess that comes along with meal preparation. While protecting your walls, they are often exposed to elements that can cause damage or discoloration, motivating many homeowners to want to protect the backsplashes that protect their kitchen walls.

 

Protect your kitchen backsplash with these six simple steps.

 

1. Avoid tiles made of porous materials.

 

If you are planning to install a kitchen backsplash and are worried about maintaining its luster, opt for a tile that is not porous. Tiles made of porous materials are harder to maintain because they can absorb the food and liquids much more easily.

 

That being said, you can protect even porous tile with a good sealant.

 

2. Apply sealant to your tiles and grout.

 

 To create a barrier between your backsplash and the food in your kitchen, apply a sealant to both the tile and grout. Sealant is water resistant and will protect even porous tile from damage. You can even periodically reseal your backsplash if necessary.

 

3. Don’t forget backsplashes should always be wiped down after cooking.

 

Maintenance is key if you want to protect your kitchen backsplash. After cooking, make it a habit to wipe down your backsplash. Leaving food or debris on kitchen backsplashes can cause discoloration and staining — especially if your backsplash is made of a more porous material like natural stone.

 

4.  Occasionally clean your grout to keep it looking like new.

 

Dirty or stained grout is as unpleasant as a damaged backsplash. It can even make your kitchen appear outdated. To maintain the look and luster of your new backsplash, clean your grout regularly. You can create a solution of baking soda and water and use a toothbrush to scrub grout clean, or you can buy restoration products from a home improvement store.

 

5. Stain grout so that it lasts longer and requires less upkeep.

 

If cleaning your grout sounds like a chore you don’t want to partake in too often, consider a grout stain instead. You can stain grout to be a color other than white, so that discolorations are less noticeable. You can go with a neutral color such as charcoal, or a color complementary to your backsplash.

 

6.  Purchase a splatter screen or shield for pots and pans.

 

Another way to protect your backsplash is to stop damage before it starts. Splatter screens (also known as splatter shields) are covers that fit over most pots and pans. However, unlike a traditional cover, splatter screens are made of fine mesh, which allows air to circulate while still stopping oil splashes and food sprays from happening. While protecting backsplashes and other kitchen surfaces, they also keep the cook clean! Well worth the $20 investment.

 

Another protective product on the market is a splatter guard, which is essentially a board that you can put up before cooking. A splatter guard creates a barrier between your stovetop and the surrounding areas to prevent your dinner from making contact with your backsplash, countertops and cabinets. Clean up just got a whole lot easier.

 

 

At The RTA Store we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled kitchen cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your kitchen dreams come true with the help of our free kitchen design tool!