Cleaning Grout/steam cleaning/chemical cleaning

[mrosspa]

It's time to clean the gout in our porcelain tile floor.

My wife is considering buying a steamer for about $100. When I was looking at different threads, the impression I was left with was that a unit of this price wasn't going to adequately do the job. The price I saw on other threads was a steamer costing $2200. She won't want to spend that much money.

Is there a steamer that would do a good job, but is less expensive?

If Steam cleaning isn't a reasonable option, what chemical cleaner do you recommend?

[doitright]

Hi Mike

Depending on how frequently you want to do the steam cleaning will affect what you should consider. If the floor is already clean, then a steamer for ongoing regular maintenance is fine. If the floor & grout is dirty, you could rent one from Rental Yard or Home Depot.

They are not necessarily the quickest or effective way to get the job done.

I have done jobs that the homeowner gave up on using their steamer, because their patience wore out.

I have great success using a tile and grout specific high alkaline cleaners on heavily soiled tile and grout.

Could you post a picture, and state how many square feet you have to clean/maintain?

[mrosspa]

That is a bit embarassing, I don't recall getting a notification that you replied to my post. I'm sorry about the delay. I'm adding two images of clean and dirty grout.

The tool for shrinking file size is great. My photo program wouldn't get the file size below 178K.

We haven't decided to make cleaning the grout into a marathon, or clean and seal piecemeal.

[cx]

Mike, you can usually attach photos that are up to 2Mb in electronic size and the program will re-size it for you and post it. If you'll use the paper-clip icon above the Reply dialog box you'll see a prominent note about that labeled Image Posting Tips.

[Stone Dude]

You don't need to steam clean, and a steam cleaner that cost's $100 is essentially a wet mop that spews vapor out of the front. They are nearly worthless.

I would use a heavy duty stone cleaner or alkaline degreaser and a nice grout brush.

[doitright]

Hi Mike

Thanks for the photo's.

You didn't mention how many square feet of floor you have to clean.

As Cameron and I both mentioned, a tile and stone specific high alkaline cleaner would be the most economical and productive.

One example would be Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean.

Don't forget the grout brush Cam mentioned! Here's a grout brush that will get you off your hands and knees.

[David Bonasera]

Yep, Cameron and john are right.

I have a really nice steamer I bought in the 90's. I will send it to you at no cost.

The best and correct way to clean is to use the right product, scrub it and then scrub it again, give some time, and again, then
pick it up with a wet/dry vac and then rinse, A wet/dry vac you should have incase you have a flood in your home,
Then a water rinse and this will keeping you on your feet, you will do the job correctly.

Follow Cameron's directions and more. You will be one your way to great cleaning procedures for years. And please use the right products.

[mrosspa]

The total square footage is about 900 square feet. Not all of the grout is as dirty as the picture showed.

[mrosspa]

I'm going to have a grout cleaning party next weekend. What sealer should I use afterward?