A cleaner has shared her favourite natural method for whitening badly stained grout, claiming it is the “fastest and least messy” technique to get the job done in under five minutes.
Steam cleaner named the easiest method
Taking to her Instagram page @julialhunt, home hacks enthusiast Julia shared a video showcasing two natural methods for cleaning grout. She highlighted that using a steam cleaner is her “favourite” and “easiest” approach to tackling grout.
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!”
While a small degree of scrubbing is required during this process, it is minimal and gentle as the steam does the majority of the hard work.
How to clean grout with a steam cleaner
Grout is a blend of cement, water, and occasionally sand or other additives, applied to fill the spaces between tiles. It secures tiles in position, stops moisture from penetrating behind them, and preserves a smooth, even surface. Over time, grout can gather dirt, soap scum, mould, and mildew, which can cause lasting damage.
It took Julia less than five minutes to clean the grout with a steam cleaner, proving quicker and more straightforward than her power paste technique. That method involved combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils into a paste, leaving it to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.
To start, sweep or vacuum thoroughly to eliminate all loose dirt, dust, crumbs and debris from the tile surface and grout lines. Steam applied to dry debris moistens it and forces it into grout pores rather than removing it.
Use the right attachment and speed
Grout lines are narrow and porous; they require concentrated, targeted steam to penetrate effectively rather than dispersed steam from a wide head that passes over them. A narrow jet nozzle is the most effective single attachment for cleaning grout, delivering high-pressure concentrated steam directly into the grout line. Direct the nozzle at a slight angle into the grout line rather than straight down.
A brass or nylon bristle grout brush attachment can also be used if the steam cleaner includes one, as it is specifically designed for grout and produces the best results on heavily soiled lines.
Move the attachment at approximately one inch per second, which will feel almost stationary at first. The steam needs time to penetrate the porous grout and act on the stains beneath the surface layer. When using the jet nozzle, hold the attachment one to two inches above the grout surface and angle it slightly, approximately 30 to 45 degrees.
Once the dirt has been lifted from the grout, wipe along the grout line with a clean microfibre cloth, pressing down firmly to collect all the residue.
