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How to Clean Grout With a Steamer
While tile is smooth and relatively easy to clean, the grout that secures it is rough and porous, making it prone to trapping dirt, soap scum and even mold. The good news is that steam is effective at both lifting grime and disinfecting grout.
You'll need a clear space to work. Remove all furniture and sweep or vacuum well if you're cleaning the floor. Remove all shampoo bottles and hygiene tools if you're cleaning the shower. For backsplash steaming, make sure the counter is cleaned off and any appliances are moved out of the way.
Be sure children and pets are out of the room while you're working to prevent burns or accidents.
Before you get started grout cleaning with steam, be sure you read the manual of your steam cleaner to know how it works and whether you need to use distilled water or tap water. Distilled water is often recommended for preventing mineral deposits and calcium build-up in the machine. For tips on using your steam cleaner, see our guide — How to Use a Steam Cleaner.
Dust and then use a clean cloth or sponge and any tile-safe cleaner to clean the surface-level dirt and ground-in grime from the tile and grout. If you're cleaning walls or backsplash, start at the top, as dirty water will run down. If you're cleaning grout on a tile floor, use a mop to clean the floor.
Fill your steam cleaner with water — distilled or tap — as instructed in the user manual. Turn on the machine and allow it time to heat the water and build up pressure. Machines with smaller tanks will heat up faster than those with larger tanks; however, they also need to be refilled more often. The best grout steam cleaner for you will depend on the area you're cleaning. A larger machine will serve you well if you're cleaning large areas, but keep in mind that you may need to carry it up a step stool to clean wall tiles.
Attach a small brush attachment to the hose of your steam cleaner. Use soft bristles, as stiffer bristles may damage certain types of tile and stone. Avoid using brass bristled brushes for this reason.
For walls and backsplashes, start at the top and work your way down, steaming and scrubbing the grout. Try to concentrate your efforts on a small section, as opposed to scrubbing a row all the way across the wall. Taking on too big of a section can allow the scrubbed dirt to settle back into the grout as it starts to cool off and dry. For floors, start in one corner.
Start scrubbing with lighter pressure, and increase the pressure as needed for stubborn grime. If your brush doesn't seem to be working well, try a firmer bristled attachment.
Once you've scrubbed all the grout in a small area, wipe the area with a damp cloth so you can see your progress. Repeat this process until you've cleaned the entire wall, backsplash or floor.
Rinse brush bristles periodically to prevent them from becoming grimy.
Be sure to keep your hands clear of the steam stream, as it can cause painful burns.
Using clean water, rinse the whole scrubbed area. If you're cleaning a floor, use a clean mop to do a thorough rinse of the area. For shower walls, you may be able to spray water directly from the shower over the walls. A cup, bucket or cloth will work too. For your backsplash, a cleaning cloth is a good choice.
Now that you can see how much cleaner your grout is, quickly go over it again, focusing on areas that may have deeper dirt stuck. Repeat the above steps to remove any remaining dirt.
Once the grout and tile are completely dry, you can apply sealant. Grout sealant fills in and smooths the porous grout to help preserve it and keep dirt out. If the grout was previously sealed, it was likely a bit easier to clean than if it wasn't sealed. Some grout, like cement-based grout, should be sealed at least once a year. There are products that make it quick and easy. Some even come in a pen-like applicator so you can be precise.
If your grout is chipping or crumbling, your best option is to repair the grout in that area. Be sure to choose a grout that matches your existing grout in texture and color. For step-by-step instructions on repairing grout, see our guide — How to Repair Tile Grout.