Why a Steamer Is the Best Way to Clean Grout, According to a Pro Cleaner

There’s no denying that cleaning grout isn’t the most glamorous job in the world. Between fighting against stuck-on grime and the manual labor of the task itself, it’s an often-forgotten (or postponed) job.

However, cleaning your grout regularly is essential to maintaining the cleanliness of your bathroom or kitchen, and nobody knows that better than professional cleaners (it’s a regular part of their job, after all!).

We spoke to Jade Piper, a professional cleaner and Operations Manager for BetterCleans, to get the scoop on her all-time favorite grout and tile cleaner, and her answer was not what we expected.

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No harsh chemical solution. No brand-name cleaner. Piper’s go-to cleaning tool for sparkling tile and grout is a regular steam cleaner.

“My favorite grout and tile cleaner is not a chemical solution of some sort,” Piper says. “Say goodbye to those because a steam cleaner is all you need!”

According to Piper, all those fancy tile and grout cleaners don’t hold a candle to the power and effectiveness of a steam cleaner.

Her personal favorite is the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner, which she appreciates for its power, efficiency, and sleek design.

“The design totally won me over at first, just a white cube!” she says. “But looks aside, it’s a beast. It gets hot, gets the job done, and I barely have to put in elbow grease. I also love that the tank lasts a good while, so I can get more done in one go.”

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner With 17-Piece Kit

The best part? Steam cleaners can be used to clean so many surfaces. A one-time investment in this handy tool will help you clean your whole home, from disinfecting floors to removing stains from upholstery and so much more. Plus, it’ll cut down on the supplies in your cleaning closet, it’s a win-win.

Why Professionals Love Steam Cleaners

So why does a steam cleaner come out on top for Piper? It’s all about efficiency and consistency of results, she says. 

“It cuts down the elbow grease by at least half, and you’re not hunched over with a toothbrush,” she says. “I always cover way more ground in less time, and the results are way more consistent.”

While we love a cute Cinderella moment, saving our backs from hours of scrubbing does sound nice. If Cinderella could have used a steam cleaner, we’re sure she would have.

Additionally, steam cleaners sanitize as they clean, so you can skip the bleach and harsh chemicals and receive the same sparkly clean results.  

How to Clean Grout With a Steam Cleaner

According to Piper, it’s best to use a microfibre pad attachment on your steam cleaner when cleaning tile and grout. This will help lift dirt and grime from the tiles and the grout at the same time.

If she’s dealing with particularly grimy grout, she’ll use a small nozzle attachment to treat the grout lines before turning to the tiles. 

“Once you’re done, run a clean microfiber mop over the floor, then dry it asap with another dry mop or towel,” she says. “This keeps streaks away and stops any grime from settling back in.”

So are chemical grout and tile cleaners obsolete? In short, no. Everyone has their preferences based on their cleaning style, how much area they need to cover, and whether things like non-toxic cleaning solutions are a priority for them.

For some, chemical grout cleaners may be the best option. However, for those seeking a simple, all-in-one solution that is chemical-free to boot? You can’t go wrong with a steam cleaner.