Does Steam Cleaning Damage Grout – The Ultimate Guide

The steam cleaner is a tending name in the cleaning industry currently. That is because of the higher effectivity, ease of use, and flexibility of the device. The device is vastly used to clean different types of floors and grouts. It can clean almost all kinds of floor tiles, including vinyl, laminate, graphite, ceramic, marble, etc. and much more. Though it can efficiently clean tiles, can the steam cleaner clean the grout?

Let’s find it out whether the steam cleaner can clean the grout or not.

Introduction to grout and steam cleaner

If you don’t know what grout is, then the description is for you. The grout is the thing that keeps your tiles in its place. They are usually a mixture of cement and sand. However, there are some other types of grout, including the epoxy grout. Epoxy grout is a costly choice, but it can be water-repellent and scratch-resistant.

As the standard grout is made of cement, they can absorb almost anything. The biggest enemy of the grout is the damp and dirty water. These ingredients can grow mold and discolor the grout.

Now let’s know about the steam cleaner. The steam cleaner is a device that is used to clean different types of floor, grout, carpet, and some other things. The multi-purpose cleaner uses the power of the steam for cleaning. That is why it got such a name. A steam cleaner is safe as they don’t use any kind of chemical while cleaning.

Will Steam cleaning damage grout?

Most people have a common misconception nowadays; that is, the steam cleaner can damage your grout. But it is not valid. Yet, the steam cleaner is considered as one of the most suitable ways of cleaning the grout. Though it uses steam, the cement-sand mixture is powerful enough to resist the steam from damaging the grout.

In some forums that people are claiming the steam cleaner damaged their grout. That may happen because the grout was previously stained. Or, they mix a cleaning solution with the water of the steam cleaner, which causes the damage. Steam cleaner generally doesn’t require any cleaning solution as they are operating on the steam. 

More so, using the steam mop in the wrong way can also cause damage in your grout. Usually, the device arrives with three modes depending on the power of the steam. The included modes are high, medium, and low. You will need to choose the proper mode for cleaning the grout. The user manual of the product must include a suitable mode that you need to select for your grout.

So, you can use the steam cleaner for cleaning your grout without any further thoughts.

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Grout

There is a variety of ways to clean the grout apart from the steam mop. Below, we will familiarize you with some of the standard procedures of cleaning the grout:

Grout cleaner

You will be pleased to comprehend that there is a specialized chemical cleaner available in the shop for cleaning grout. As they are made with chemicals and other necessary ingredients, that can offer you an accurate clean without causing any damage to the grout. However, be careful while choosing a cleaner solution. Not all the solutions available in the shop are effective and safe for your grout.

Make sure to read the level to know whether the cleaner is suitable or not for your grouts. Also, try to go for a soft cleaner instead of the harsh ones, which may cause the problem in your grout in the long-term. Grasp the instruction manual that comes with the grout cleaner to know how to use it in the right way.

Precaution: It will not be a great trick always to clean your grout using the commercial solution. As they include chemical properties, they will not be the right choice for the sanitization of your house. Especially if you have kids and pets, you shouldn’t use them regularly.

Homemade cleaner

There are a lot of home ingredients that can work as a cleaning agent if appropriately applied. You can even clean the grout of your house with such home ingredients. Below, we will describe how to create a grout cleaning solution using the ingredients available at your kitchen.

You will require:

1. Half cup of baking soda
2. Half cup of hydrogen peroxide
3. Liquid dish soap
4. A rag or scrubbing brush

Here is how you will use the ingredients to wash the grout:

1. At first, take a small bowl and make a mixture using the mentioned ingredients above.
2. Then make the grout ready for cleaning. Remove anything that can block your access from the grout.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner or broom to get rid of the loose dust or sand on the grout.
4. Now spread the mixture on the grout. Make sure to cover all the grout areas of the space.
5. Then let them sit for a while, preferably five to ten minutes.
6. Now take the scrubbing brush or rag and start scrubbing the grout. Then clean the grouts with fresh water.
7. If you still notice any issues, you can reapply the procedure for better cleaning.

Grouts become dirty quicker when compared with your tiles. That is because the grout can attract dust and dirt. More so, they absorb the dirty water when you mop the floor. As a result, the grouts become dirtier quickly. So, cleaning the grout will not be the ultimate solution. You will need to take proper care of them to ensure the lifespan and reduce the chance of becoming dirty again on quick order.

After reading the above pieces of writing, it should be clear for you that the steam cleaner is completely safe for your grout. Perhaps, they are a preferable choice for cleaning the grout. However, you must use the cleaner on in the right way with the right equipment to ensure the safety of the grout. Also, you must avoid using any chemical solution while using a steam cleaner.  More so, make proper maintenance of the grout, so they don’t become dirty quickly.