Grout stains can be lifted in under five minutes using a steam cleaner, a method one home hack sharer calls her “favourite” and “easiest” way to clean grout without bleach, harsh scrubbing or cleaning chemicals.
Grout, a mixture of cement, water and sometimes sand, fills the gaps between tiles, keeping them in place and preventing moisture from seeping behind them. Over time it accumulates dirt, soap scum, mould and mildew, which detracts from a space's appearance and can lead to long-term damage.
Steam beats paste for speed
Julia, who shares home hacks on Instagram at @julialhunt, posted a video demonstrating two natural ways to clean grout. The steam method is the “fastest and less messy way” to get the job done. She said: “No paste needed, just steam! The heat melts away grime, making cleaning way faster and less messy. Truly the best method for sparkling grout!”
Julia cleaned grout with a steam cleaner in less than five minutes, which was faster and easier than her power paste method. That method involved mixing baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils into a paste, letting it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.
How to clean grout with a steam cleaner
First, prepare the surface by sweeping or vacuuming thoroughly, removing all loose soil, dust, crumbs and debris from the tile surface and grout lines. Steam applied to dry debris wets it and pushes it into grout pores rather than cleaning them.
Using the correct attachment is key. Grout lines are narrow and porous, needing concentrated, directed steam rather than diffused steam from a wide head. A narrow jet nozzle is the most effective single attachment, delivering high-pressure concentrated steam directly into the grout line. Direct the nozzle at a slight angle rather than straight down. A brass or nylon bristle grout brush attachment, if available, is specifically designed for grout and works best on heavily soiled lines.
Move the attachment at approximately one inch per second, which will feel almost stationary at first, as steam needs time to penetrate the porous grout. Hold the jet nozzle one to two inches above the grout surface, angled approximately 30 to 45 degrees, to direct steam into the grout pore and push loosened contamination out ahead of the nozzle. Once dirt is loosened, follow with a clean microfibre cloth pressed firmly along the grout line to collect it all.
