If you have recently installed a natural stone backsplash in your kitchen, you may wonder if there is anything special you need to do to keep it clean, especially if it is in a location where food will splash up on it. While you are taking care of your kitchen's natural stone backsplash, make sure you avoid the following mistakes while cleaning it.

1.  Using Any Harsh Chemical Cleaner

Because your backsplash is made from stone, you may believe that it is durable enough to withstand any cleaner that you use. However, since stone is porous and your backsplash has a protective coating on it, using any harsh cleaner would be a mistake.

Any extremely acidic or base cleaners will degrade the protective coating, where it will soak into the stone's pores. Not only could this cause slow deterioration of the stone, but it will also dull the appearance of your backsplash.

Ideally, you should use a cleaning product that is specifically recommended for cleaning stone. However, if you do not have any available, a mild dish detergent with a neutral pH is acceptable to use.

2.  Scrubbing the Stone with Anything Abrasive

If your backsplash will be subjected to food splatter, eventually you will have food that is stuck on the stone. However, when this happens, do not reach for any abrasive cleaners or cleaning tools to remove it.

If you use any abrasives on the surface, you risk causing small scratches in the protective coating and the stone. Over time, these small etchings will mar the appearance of the backsplash and leave it open to ground-in dirt that could breed bacteria.

Instead of using an abrasive sponge, try using a toothbrush with soft bristles. The bristles will provide enough abrasiveness to remove the stuck-on food without scratching your backsplash.

To increase the effectiveness of the toothbrush, pour a drop of stone cleaner or dish detergent onto the head. Then, brush the area using small circles to scrub away the food.

If there is still stuck-on food after you rinse the area, repeat this scrubbing process until you have removed all of the food. Once you have removed it, clean the backsplash as usual.

Avoiding the above mistakes can help keep your kitchen's natural stone backsplash looking beautiful and pristine. For more advice on how to take care of natural stone or for cleaning product recommendations, contact a business that deals with natural stone home products.