Steam cleaning grout loosens gunk and mold that have worked into the pores of the grout over time.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Choosing a Steam Cleaner
Steam cleanersheat water to more than 200F.
Nozzles and brushes let the user direct blasts of steam onto the grout and scrub away grime.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Steam cleaners keep the water hot until it is used up.
After each shot of steam, it can take a few seconds for the machine to recharge.
Grime consists of hardened soap scum and grease, mineral scale, dirt, mold, and mildew.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
High heat and moisture are effective at loosening soap scum and grease.
To cleanbathroom wall tile, buy a canister, multi-purpose steam cleaner.
Some steamers are floor-only and will not work forshower or bathtub tile.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Multi-purpose cleaners, such as theDupray NEAT Steam Cleaner, have attachments for different surfaces.
Excess dirt or soap scum can clog the steam cleaner brush.
For floor tile, sweep and damp-mop the tile.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
For walls, sponge-clean the tiles, using a mild detergent.
Finish by rinsing with clean water.
Typically, it takes just a few minutes to create the steam.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Attach the hose to the steam cleaner, as directed.
If necessary, move to a brass-bristle brush for stubborn dirt.
Be careful, though, since brass-bristle brushes may damage some types of tile.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Steam and Scrub the Tile Grout
Turn on the steam with the recommended rate of spray.
Scrub the grout directly with vigorous back-and-forth strokes.
Work one small section at a time until it is clean, then move on to the next section.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Rinse the Tile
Pause periodically to rinse and/or mop or sponge each cleaned section.
It’s critical to clean up the dirty water before it settles back into the grout and dries.
Using a wet-dry vacuum on wet mode is effective at quickly removing dirty water.
Refill and reheat the steamer as needed, and continue the same process until the job is complete.
Finish with a final cleaning of the entire area.
When to Call a Professional
Steam cleaning grout works often but not all the time.
If DIY steam cleaning isn’t working, call a professional.
If you notice that the tile grout is looking dirty or dingy, it should be cleaned more often.
Sealers come in two basic types: penetrating and topical.
Does Grout Need to Be Sealed?Mapei
