Do you ever look at the grout in your shower and feel it’s just a bit too dingy for your liking? You’re not alone.
Grout can get pretty grimy over time due to regular use of the bathroom as well as trapped moisture and soap residue. But, don’t give up hope! By using a steam cleaner, you can easily restore that original pristine appearance from years ago – no scrubbing required.
In this blog post we’ll explain why steam cleaning is the easiest way to clean tile grout. We even threw in how-to steps for cleaning like an expert.
But first, let’s talk about your grout lines. You will need to know if you have sealed or unsealed grout.
The first way is to look at the color of the grout. Sealed grout will be darker in color, as it will have a sealant applied that gives it a glossy finish. Unsealed grout will be lighter in color and usually has a matte finish. Next, place a few drops of water on the grout. If the water beads up on the surface, then you have sealed grout. If the water is absorbed into the grout quickly, then you have unsealed grout.
Sealed grout is easier to maintain so you may want to look into getting it sealed.
Prepare the Area
Tile and grout in a shower suffer the most from soap scum and water stains especially if you have hard water. So the best way to keep your shower clean is regular cleaning with a wipe down. But sometimes, you just need a good deep cleaning on the walls tiles and the tile flooring.
Step one is to remove all the soaps, scrubs, poofs, shampoo, conditioners, cloths and whatever else is hanging out in your shower.
This make cleaning easier, and you may even uncover some areas of the grout that you didn’t know needed attention! By preparing the area before you start, you’ll be setting yourself up for grout-cleaning success.
Choose a Steam Cleaner
Select a steam cleaner that is designed for the type of grout you’re cleaning, and read through all instructions before starting the cleaning process.
And don’t be nervous about the steam. Most handheld steam cleaners protect your hands unless you’re putting it right under the steam. Which you aren’t going to do.
You will want to verify if the steam cleaner can use tap water or if it requires distilled water. If you don’t have distilled water, you will need to get some as filtered water is not a good substitute.
Pre-Treat Stains
Apply an appropriate pre-treatment product to any areas with tough stains prior to steam cleaning.
Good pre-treatments for cleaning grout include:
Mixing a solution of white vinegar and baking soda and applying it to the grout with a brush.
Spraying an all-purpose cleaner on the grout and scrubbing it with a stiff brush or toothbrush.
Applying detergent or oxygen bleach to the grout and agitating it with a stiff brush or toothbrush.
Applying an enzyme cleaner to the grout and allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a brush.
We’ve been known to use CLR to clean up soap scum on tile and grout along with glass shower walls and doors.
Fill and Heat Water Tank
Fill up the water tank as instructed in your steam cleaner’s manual, and heat it up so it can begin producing steam.
You may want to try it out before you’re ready to ensure that it works when you need it.
One of the most important steps in getting your steam cleaner up and running is filling and heating up the water tank. Consult your steam cleaner’s manual for specific instructions on how to fill up the tank with water. Some older models required a funnel to pour in the water.
Once filled, it’s time to heat it up until it produces steam. This may take a few minutes, depending on the model. Make sure to keep an eye on the indicator light, as this will tell you when the tank is fully heated and ready to use.
Heating up the water tank fully is crucial to ensure that your steam cleaner is producing powerful steam, so take your time.
Start Cleaning
Hold the steamer near the grout line and use slow, steady strokes as you move across each section of grout lines.
It’s important to go over each area multiple times to get the best results. With this technique, you’ll be able to remove dirt and grime buildup in no time, leaving your shower tile grout looking clean and refreshed.
And while you have that steam, you may want to clean your toilet. Steam is a great way to clean and deodorize around the base and around the rim.
Rinse with Clean Water
Once you’ve finished steam cleaning, give your grout one final rinse with clean water to remove any residue left behind from using the steamer.
By taking the time to rinse your grout, you’ll be able to achieve a deeper clean. You can use regular water from your shower head. It is easier if you have a detachable handle.
Then use a microfiber cloth to dry off the fixtures preventing water spots.
The only downside is that once everyone sees how clean it is, they’ll want to take a shower. Make sure they know to gently scrub and wipe down the shower after use.
