Does Steam Cleaning Damage Grout? A Pro Answers

If your algorithm has ever veered even remotely close to #CleanTok, you’ve likely heard of steam cleaning. It’s a popular method for cleaning everything from floors to upholstery, and it’s highly effective. It works by using hot steam—usually from a steam cleaning mop or a handheld device—to loosen grease, dirt, and other particles from surfaces.

You can’t treat every spot in your home with super-hot steam, of course. In some cases, steam cleaning can damage certain materials, like unsealed wood floors and laminate. But what about tiled floors and walls? Can steam cleaning actually damage the grout that binds the tiles together? Here’s what to know about steam cleaning grout and whether or not steam can really damage it.

Can Steam Cleaning Damage Grout?

Steam cleaning is wonderfully effective at eliminating dirt and grime, thanks to its high temperatures. But those same high temps can also damage some surfaces if you’re not careful. Steam cleaning laminate, for example, can cause the material to warp over time. It’s generally unwise to steam clean anything that can’t withstand moisture and increased heat.

Tiles and grout, on the other hand, can typically handle lots of warm water and steam without degradation. (Think of how many hot showers they have to stand up to!) There are a few caveats you’ll need to keep in mind though before going to town with your handheld or steam mop, and it all starts with understanding grout’s function and composition.

Understanding Grout

Grout is typically a composite of cement, water, and sand. As it’s being applied between tiles, its consistency is paste-like, but within hours, the grout hardens to seal the tiles together. The grout remains hardened to keep the tiles bonded but can become vulnerable to damage and deterioration over time. There are three main types of grout:

• Sanded grout is the grittiest of the three, and is typically used for wide grout seams—or those larger than ⅛ inch.
• Unsanded grout is much finer than sanded grout and is used for narrow seams.
• Epoxy grout is a bit different, as it’s waterproof. Because of this, and because it’s not as porous as sanded and unsanded grout, it doesn’t need to be sealed.

Homeowners will often apply grout sealer to sanded and unsanded tile jobs to protect the grout in places with moisture, like the bathroom. 

Potential Risks of Steam Cleaning Grout

Many people love steam cleaning for its ability to loosen up dirt particles. When cleaning tiled floors or showers, however, steam cleaning can also loosen the grout’s mixture of sand and cement. The key is knowing whether your grout is sealed or not. Sealed grout can stand up to the high temps and moisture, whereas unsealed grout isn’t as durable.

“Steam cleaning can damage grout, but mainly if the grout is unsealed or if you are using high-pressure steam,” explains Sarah McAllister, a cleaning expert and the founder and CEO of GoCleanCo and House Work. “Any cleaning can damage grout when it is unsealed if I’m being totally honest.”

Best Practices for Steam Cleaning Grout

With that in mind, it’s important to note if your grout is sealed or unsealed—or if it’s epoxy grout. In the case that it’s unsealed, you can simply apply a sealant to it.

“My best advice would be to thoroughly clean your grout, then seal it so that you can clean it with peace of mind going forward,” McAllister says. She explains steam can be very effective for cleaning sealed grout, since it removes the dirt and stains that have settled between tiles over time. But before you start steam cleaning—even if you know your grout is sealed—there’s an important first step to take, according to McAllister.

“If you are going to use steam to clean your grout, first start with a test spot in an inconspicuous area to ensure no damage is occurring,” she says. Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe to keep cleaning, she recommends using a low-pressure steam setting to gently loosen the dirt without damaging the grout.

And if you’re inclined to skip steam cleaning altogether, alternative methods for cleaning grout include making a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, then scrubbing the grout with a stiff bristle brush.