Redecorating your home can be exciting, especially when you accessorise with new tiles. Do you have subway tiles in your Perth kitchen? Or maybe you went for something a bit bolder? Either way, splashback tiles need regular cleaning, especially in a busy kitchen.
How to do it depends on how long it’s been since you gave them a good once-over and how often you make a big, greasy mess in your kitchen.
What’s a kitchen splashback?
A kitchen splashback is a section of tiles behind either the sink or the stove top, spanning from 300mm up. This tiled section protects the wall from water or oil splashes and ties your kitchen aesthetic together. Most splashbacks are either ceramic or porcelain tiles (or sometimes mosaics), but you could also opt for glass or stainless steel if you like the industrial look. Kitchen splashes are a way to protect your walls while keeping the kitchen looking stylish and elegant.
Usually, kitchen tiles are hardwearing, easy to wipe clean and complement your kitchen’s aesthetic –One of the most popular styles of tiles for splashbacks is metro or subway tiles, thanks to their timeless design, easy, clean gloss finish.
Whichever type you choose, ensure they occupy a large enough area to contain cooking splatters and water from the sink.
Caring for your subway kitchen tiles is essential if you want them to look great for years.
For the best results, follow our easy steps below.
Soap + Water = Cleaning gold
Many things in your kitchen can be cleaned with soap, water, and a sponge with some texture to it. Soap molecules are hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating), ideally suited for breaking up the grease, suspending it in water, and washing it away.
The magical tile cleaning trifecta: vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice
Sometimes, tiles (and the grout) need an extra step to return them to their original lustre. And that’s where our favourite DIY cleaner comes in. It combines three potent cleaning agents in your kitchen: vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic in nature, which makes them good at fighting soap scum, hard water, and other yucky buildup; it also makes them good stain removers, as most stains are acidic. Baking soda is slightly alkaline, and combining it with acidic ingredients is pure magic for greasy grout.
How to clean greasy tiled splashback and grout
What you need:
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Dishcloths
- Lemons
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
- Grout sealer
Instructions
- Use a soapy sponge to clean the tile and grout: Using circular motions, clean the backsplash and grout with a sponge soaked in warm, soapy water.
- Wipe the tile and grout clean: Take a damp dish cloth and wipe your tile and grout clean of any soapy residue.
- Make a paste with lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda: If you still have greasy buildup and stains, make a DIY grease-fighting paste with one part lemon juice, one part vinegar, and two parts baking soda.
- Scrub the greasy tile and grout with the paste: Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to the greasy tile and grout. Give the tiles and grout a good scrub with the toothbrush or sponge if there’s more surface area to cover.
- Wipe the tile and grout clean: Use a clean, damp dishcloth to wipe your tile and grout clean.
- Apply a grout sealer to dry grout: Once the grout has thoroughly dried, apply one or two coats of silicone-based grout sealer to protect it in the future.
Basic kitchen tile maintenance in Perth, WA
For floor tiles, sweep or vacuum to remove dust or debris before using any cleaning products. You should damp-mop your tile floor at least once weekly to decrease wear and abrasion from dirt and grit.
If you have glazed tiles, you should clean them regularly with an all-purpose, non-oil-based household cleaner that won’t harm the grout joints. An everyday multipurpose spray should be sufficient to remove soap scum and mildew on the wall tiles in your bathroom.
For unglazed tiles, concentrated tile cleaners are better for everyday use. Choose a neutral cleaner that removes general household dirt, grime and oils on tiles and grout.
After cleaning your tiles, rinse the entire area with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue so it doesn’t damage your tiles.
Note: Be sure never to use any products containing bleach. Bleach will damage your tiles and your grout and sealer. Most grout has a mould shield built in, and bleach can destroy this.
Choose Tile Clearance Outlet for your kitchen tiles
At the Tile Clearance outlet, we aim to help you create a beautiful and functional space in your kitchen with our discount tiles. From subway tiles to large format splashbacks, visit the Tile Clearance Outlet for your discount tiles in Perth, WA.
We are leading stockists of clearance kitchen tiles in Perth, WA, and our team will help you find the right tile for your project. Let us answer your questions about tile selections today.
Looking to renovate your kitchen?
Contact our design professionals if you are considering revamping your kitchen. We can help you find viable options. Get inspired by the many shapes and kitchen tile designs available. We have a colour palette for every aesthetic, and our competitive pricing makes choosing kitchen tiles in Perth easy and cost-effective.
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