Having clean, sparkling tiles and grout makes a huge difference in the look and feel of any room. Unfortunately, tile and grout can attract dirt, grime, mold, and mildew relatively quickly. Keeping it clean often feels like an uphill battle. However, there is one simple trick that makes the process much easier: using a grout steam cleaner.
Why Tile and Grout Get So Dirty
Tile and grout get dirty for a few reasons:
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Foot traffic – Whether it’s your kitchen or bathroom, people are constantly walking on the tiles. This grinds dirt into the grout lines.
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Moisture – Bathrooms and kitchens expose tile and grout to lots of moisture. This allows mold and mildew to grow.
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Spills – Cooking splatters, soap scum, and other spills stick to grout and attract more grime.
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Grout itself – The porous nature of grout means it easily absorbs stains.
With regular cleaning neglect, tile and grout ends up looking dingy and discolored. Getting it fully clean again by hand is difficult and tedious.
Why Grout Steam Cleaners Are a Game Changer
Grout steam cleaners are an easy way to deep clean tile and grout. They work by emitting a concentrated jet of hot steam to:
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Loosen – The steam liquefies and lifts away built-up dirt, oils, and debris from the grout.
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Sanitize – The heat kills off mold, mildew, bacteria, and other microbes thriving in the grout lines.
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Whiten – It brightens discolored and stained grout back to like-new.
Grout steamers are safe for all types of grout and tiles. They require no chemicals or scrubbing. I simply pass the steam head repeatedly over the surface while wiping with a towel. The results are sparkling grout and tiles!
How To Use a Grout Steam Cleaner For Best Results
Using a grout steamer effectively takes a little practice. Here are my tips:
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Prep the area by clearing away items and drying the surface as much as possible. Excess water prevents the steam from penetrating fully.
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Start on one far edge and work in sections across the tiles. Go over each section multiple times until it’s clean.
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Keep towels handy to wipe up the dissolved gunk continuously. Don’t let it sit and re-harden.
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For especially dirty grout, pre-treat it with a Tilex or Clorox spray cleaner before steaming. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before steaming.
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Use the steam cleaner’s attachments like a squeegee or angled head to get into corners and along edges.
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Go slowly and methodically. Rushing leads to streaks and unfinished spots.
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Wipe and dry the area fully once you’re done. Buff with a microfiber cloth for added shine.
Grout Steam Cleaning Tips
Here are some additional pointers to get flawless results grout steam cleaning:
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Check the steamer head after each use for mineral buildup. Soak it in vinegar periodically to remove deposits.
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For vertical tile like in showers, work top to bottom and wipe immediately before water drips down.
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Re-seal grout several days later for maximum stain protection.
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Avoid excessive heat on natural stone tile to prevent discoloration or damage.
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Rinsing once or twice with clean water helps remove soap scum and chemical residues.
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For neglected grout, repeat steaming 2-3 times until fully clean.
Conclusion
Using a grout steam cleaner is truly a game-changing shortcut for keeping tile and grout sparkling clean. The intense steam instantly restores dingy, discolored grout back to a like-new appearance. I no longer dread cleaning my tiles! With regular maintenance steaming, my grout stays spotless and bright. Ditch the toothbrush scrubbing and let steam power do the hard work for you. Your tiles will look freshly professionally cleaned without the hassle.
