In this guide, our experts explain the best ways to clean grout and tile flooring throughout your home, helping it look and feel new for years to come.
Tile flooring is valued for its durability and sleek visual appeal. In homes, tile elevates the look of spaces like bathrooms and kitchens, and it’s generally thought of as easy to maintain. However, even the most pristine tiles can lose their shine if not cleaned regularly or thoroughly. Textured tile can become a magnet for dirt, stains, and mildew, and grout – the porous material used between tiles – is notoriously hard to clean.
Dirty tile floors and grout can lead to discoloration, slippery surfaces, and even mold. In this guide, our experts explain the best ways to clean grout and tile flooring throughout your home, helping it look and feel new for years to come.
Understanding tile and grout materials
Cleaning tile floors is challenging without the proper tools. Different types of tile and grout may require different cleaning processes. However, steam mops are often the best choice for cleaning tiles and grout. Because steam mops use steam from demineralized water, they give hard, sealed surfaces a thorough cleaning that is chemical-free and nonabrasive. The PowerFresh® Slim 3-in-1 Scrubbing and Sanitizing Steam Mop goes even further, transforming into a handheld steam cleaner that allows you to more directly tackle stubborn stains, including discolored grout.
If you want to put more time and sweat equity into your cleaning, you can use a soft-bristled grout brush. A mop, bucket, and sponge are other helpful materials that can be used to clean these stubborn areas by hand.
Types of tile flooring
One of the many benefirts of adding tile throughout your home is the ability to choose from different colors, finishes, and materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, to appeal to any aesthetic. However, these variables may require different cleaning methods to best refresh the tile without causing damage. Before cleaning, check your tile manufacturer's instructions.
Ceramic tile
Ceramic tile is durable and water resistant but can chip if treated harshly.
Best cleaning practices: Use a steam mop, which uses heated demineralized water to clean and sanitize.
Avoid: Abrasive tools that could scratch the glaze; acidic cleaners that might damage the glaze over time.
Porcelain
Porcelain is dense and less porous than other tile. It is highly stain-resistant.
Best cleaning practices: Use a steam mop with demineralized water to clean and sanitize.
Avoid: Harsh chemical cleaners, as they can break down protective coatings.
Natural stone tile
Natural stone tile is porous and prone to staining; requires sealing.
Best cleaning practices: Clean with a steam mop filled with demineralized water.
Avoid: Vinegar, lemon, and acidic cleaners as well as abrasvie tools, all of which can etch the surface.
Types of grout
Grout comes in several varieties, from sanded grout to epoxy grout. Because of the rough texture, it often takes a brush to clean the gradual buildup of grime and residue that can build up on grout. However, what works to clean grout might not work on tile. It’s important to be careful combining cleaning methods so you don’t accidentally damage either the grout or the tile.
Sanded grout
Sanded grout is durable but slightly porous.
Best cleaning practices: Use steam mop for general cleaning; target stains with a handheld steam cleaner or brush.
Avoid: Strong chemicals, which can erode the grout over time.
Unsanded grout
Unsanded grout is durable and often used with easily scratched tile.
Best cleaning practices: Use a steam mop for regular cleaning; pick up a handheld steam cleaner or soft-bristled brush to work on grout stains.
Avoid: Agressive scrubbing or acidic cleaners.
Epoxy grout
Epoxy grout is stain-resistant and ideal for high-moisture areas.
Best cleaning practices: Use a steam mop fo surface-level cleaning and a handheld steam cleaner or brush for targeting stains.
Avoid: Abrasive pads that can dull the epoxy finish.
How to clean floor tiles and grout
Routine cleaning and regular maintenance are essential for keeping your tile floors and grout looking fresh and free of dirt and grime.
Gathering necessary tools and supplies
Vacuum
Plus
Steam mop
Handheld steam cleaner
OR
Brush and scrubber
Mop and bucket
How to clean ceramic and porcelain tile floors
Ceramic and porcelain floors are both durable and stain-resistant, making them popular flooring options for kitchens and bathrooms. Harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbing can damage their shiny appearance and protective coatings. Before you start to clean, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for your tile.
Step 1: Vacuum
Use a vacuum cleaner suitable for hard floors, such as the AirRam® Cordless Vacuum to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris from tile surfaces and grout lines. This step prevents dirt from being spread around when you mop.
Step 2: Spot treat your grout
If your grout is stained, you can easily scrub away discolored spots with a steam cleaner. The PowerFresh® Slim 3-in-1 Scrubbing and Sanitizing Steam Mop can be used as a handheld steam cleaner and comes with several attachments that simplify grout cleaning, such as scrubbing brushes designed to be used on narrow grout lines. BISSELL® steam cleaners can be used with demineralized water – the steam cleans without harsh chemicals or laborious scrubbing.
If you do not have a steam cleaner, you can use a scrub brush to work away a stain by hand. You may want to apply a gentle pH-neutral cleaner, such as a commercial-grade tile and grout cleaner. Some online resources may recommend DIY-solutions like baking soda paste to loosen up the grime, but results can vary. After letting your cleaning solution sit a few minutes, begin scrubbing with a brush. For sanded grout, you may want to use a stiff-bristled brush. For unsanded or epoxy grout, try a soft-bristled brushes. Wipe or vacuum up the mess before continuing to step three.
Step 3: Prepare your steam mop
Fill the steam mop reservoir with water only (no chemical cleaners). You can use a Spring Breeze or Eucalyptus Mint scented demineralized water to leave a refreshing scent while you clean. If your steam mop is adjustable, select at medium to high steam setting for use on ceramic and porcelain floor tile. It’s always best to check your flooring manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and test in an inconspicuous spot before you clean to ensure there is no damage from the steam to your floors.
If you do not have a steam mop, fill your bucket with water and an appropriate cleaning solution for your floor type.
Step 4: Steam mop your tile
Slowly glide your steam mop over the tile surface. Make several passes, allowing the steam to loosen the grime and sanitize. When you steam clean tile and grout, the high-temperature steam loosens and lifts dirt, grime, and bacteria, making steam an effective chemical-free and eco-friendly solution for cleaning these areas.
If you are using a mop, go over the floor as many times as needed to get a thorough clean. With this method, you may need to change out the water in your bucket or dry the floor after cleaning to prevent streaking.
How to clean sealed natural stone tile floors
While porcelain and ceramic tile are durable and stain-resistant, sealed natural stone tile such as marble is more porous and prone to staining. It can also be more likely to scratch than other types of flooring. Natural stone tiles often have very minimal grout lines, but if you have stained, dirty grout between tiles, see the “Spot treat your grout” step under the above “How to clean ceramic and porcelain tile floors” instructions. Before you start to clean your natural stone tile floor, consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you are using a mop and bucket, select a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone. Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon. Combine warm water with a small amount of the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 3: Steam mop the floor
Slowly glide your steam mop over the natural stone tile, loosening and lifting away any grime and dirt. Especially dirty floors may require multiple passes of the steam mop.
If you are using a mop, choose one made of microfiber. The mop should be damp, not soaked. Wring it out thoroughly to avoid excess water on the floor and mop in small sections. You may need to mop change out the solution in the bucket and mop the floor multiple times to get a thorough clean. Immediately after mopping, wipe down the floor with a dry mop or microfiber cloth to absorb any remaining moisture.
Final thoughts on cleaning floor tile and grout
Tile and grout can help create beautiful and versatile spaces throughout the home, but they can pose cleaning and maintenance challenges. Understanding how to clean tile and grout is a must for proper care. The most effective tools for cleaning tile and grout are a vacuum, a steam mop, and a handheld steam cleaner, which are chemical-free solutions that are eco-friendly and effective. With the power of steam, you can loosen and lift dirt and grime hiding deep in the pores of grout and tile surfaces to restore the natural shine of these surfaces. Steam cleaning is ideal for routine deep cleaning and for targeted cleaning when stains appear. By maintaining clean tile floors and grout, you can prolong their lifespan and enjoy their beauty for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to clean grout on tile floors?
The best way to clean grout on tile floors depends on the type of grout, whether it’s sanded, unsanded, or epoxy. Generally, steam cleaning is the most effective option for cleaning tile grout of any kind, as it’s chemical-free and nonabrasive. A steam mop can clean grout of dirt and dust. If you have stained grout, you can use a steam cleaner, brush attachment, and demineralized water to gently go over the grout until the stains and grime are removed.
How do professionals clean tile and grout?
Professionals often have access to specialized equipment for cleaning tile and grout. They may begin by pre-treating the area with a professional-grade solution to loosen and lift dirt and stains before going in with a steam cleaner to clean the grout lines and tiles. Some may use mechanical brushes to scrub grout and remove tough stains. From there, professional cleaners may use a wet vacuum to extract dirty water and cleaning residue to dry the area, completing the job with a grout sealer to protect against future stains.
How often should I clean my tile floors and grout?
The key to upholding the appearance of your tiles and grout is regular maintenance. Daily, you can sweep, vacuum, or wipe down tile surfaces to remove loose debris. Then, once a week, steam mop with demineralized water. Spot cleaning is also recommended to target stains and grime to prevent them from spreading. Regular maintenance ensures your tile floors and grout stay clean, sanitary, and looking their best.
