Steam does clean grout, but it is not the miracle most roundups claim. On surface grime, grey haze and bathroom mold, a hot steam jet with a nylon brush lifts what a mop pushes around. On ancient, deeply stained or crumbly grout, steam alone will disappoint you and you will still need a grout brush and a targeted cleaner.
That honest split is why we built the best steam cleaners for grout roundup below around grout lines instead of around carpet. Every machine here was picked on five things: can the nozzle physically enter a grout line, how hot and how sustained is the steam, does the tank force a refill mid-room, is there a brush that survives heat, and will it strip your sealer. Last updated for 2026, and every rating below is copied from the current customer data rather than estimated.
We also spent a lot of time reading the grout arguments on r/CleaningTips, r/Tile and r/HomeImprovement, because that is where the failure modes show up before a purchase. The single loudest regret in those threads is buying a tiny handheld for a whole kitchen floor and spending an afternoon going nowhere. We have built our picks to avoid handing you that outcome.
If you want the short version before you read on: our top three are the PurSteam Therma Pro 211 for the best balance of speed, tank size and a real grout brush, the BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A for the highest owner satisfaction, and the Phueut handheld for anyone who just needs to hit one bad line between deep cleans.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Grout in 2026
PurSteam Therma Pro 211
- Heats in 30 seconds
- 1200W
- 380ml tank
- Includes a grout line brush
- Detaches into a handheld steamer
BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A
- Built-in Easy Scrubber for grout
- Three steam settings
- 23 foot cord
- 16oz removable tank
Phueut Pressurized Handheld
- 230F pressurized steam
- Heats in 3 to 5 minutes
- 12 piece kit with 4 brushes
- 3.9 pound body
The Best Steam Cleaners for Grout at a Glance in October
All eight machines below are steam units, not carpet extractors. We left the wet-vacuum style extractors out of this list on purpose, because a carpet cleaner that sprays solution and suctions it back is the wrong tool for a dry grout line.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| PurSteam Therma Pro 211 Steam Mop |
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| BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A |
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 Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 |
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 Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner |
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 McCulloch MC1385 Canister |
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 BISSELL PowerSteamer 2685A |
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| Phueut Pressurized Handheld |
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 H2O X5 5-in-1 Steam Mop |
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Check Latest Price |
Two numbers matter more than the rest when you are shopping for grout. Maximum temperature tells you how much heat you have to work with, and tank capacity tells you whether you can finish a kitchen before a refill. Cord length decides whether you spend your evening moving a plug.
1. PurSteam Therma Pro 211 Steam Mop – Fastest Heat-Up and a Real Grout Brush
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop, Floor Steamer with Detachable Handheld Steam Cleaner for Tile, Hardwood Floors
212F at 1200W
Heats in 30 seconds
380ml tank
10-in-1 kit with grout brush
2 kg
Pros
- Fastest heat-up in the group
- Real grout line brush in the box
- Detaches into a usable handheld
- Collapses for small storage
- Swiveling head reaches under furniture
Cons
- Grout brush bristles splay quickly
- 380ml tank forces refills
- Water feed struggles on vertical surfaces
The PurSteam Therma Pro 211 is the machine we keep telling people to buy first, and the reason is boring rather than glamorous. It heats in 30 seconds, it holds 380ml of water, and the 10-in-1 kit in the box includes a dedicated grout line brush for both sanded and non-sanded grout. Most of the mop-only competitors in this list cannot physically put a brush inside a grout line at all.
In practice the 30-second heat-up is the difference between a job and a chore. When you spot a grey line near the entryway, you fill the tank, plug in, and you are working in under a minute. That is what makes it realistic to steam a whole kitchen floor in sections rather than saving the machine for one annual panic clean.
The detachable handheld is a real second tool rather than a marketing accessory, and owners use it on upholstery, curtains and the fridge seal. The 2 kg weight and the swiveling mop head mean you can steer around a peninsula table without picking the machine up.
Owners also report that it doubles as a carpet refresher, which matters if your tile sits next to a rug. Our steam mop picks for hardwood cover that use case in more depth, because the same heat rules apply to wood floors as they do to grout.
Is the PurSteam grout brush strong enough for stained grout?
The included brush is the right shape and width, but it is the weak point of the package. Owners report that the nylon bristles splay and bend out of shape after limited use, and replacement attachment brushes are hard to source and fit poorly. On light haze and moderate soil it does its job. On years of black shower grout, expect to buy a stiffer aftermarket brush or plan a second pass.
What will the PurSteam frustrate you on?
Two things. The 380ml reservoir is small, so a large tiled room means several refills, and the power cord is short enough that you will move the plug more than you planned. The bigger issue is the water feed line, which sucks air if you hold the tool upright, so the handheld works well on horizontal grout and poorly on a vertical backsplash.
For a floor-level grout job this is the most complete package in the roundup. Just run it along the lines rather than across them, and keep a microfiber cloth in your other hand.
2. BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A – Highest Rated Steam Mop for Tile and Grout
BISSELL Steam Mop 1940A PowerFresh Floor Steam Cleaner for Hard Wood & Tile with Natural Sanitization, Easy Scrubber, Variable Steam, 12” Cleaning Path
212F at 1500W
30 second heat-up
16oz XL tank
23 foot cord
Three steam settings
Pros
- Highest owner rating in the group
- Flip-down Easy Scrubber works grout
- 23 foot cord covers multiple rooms
- XL tank refills fast at the sink
- Leaves sealed floors streak-free
Cons
- Floor only
- no grout detail mode
- Still refills mid-task on large tile rooms
- Scent disc adds fragrance not cleaning
The BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A has the highest average rating in this roundup, with 4.5 stars across more than 48000 reviews, and for grout the reason is a single part. The flip-down Easy Scrubber is a small textured pad on the front of the steam head that you press down to break up dried mess and grout buildup without adding more arm pressure. It is the cheapest mechanical agitation tool in the category.
It is also the machine you will finish a room with. The 23 foot cord means one outlet serves a whole kitchen, and the 16oz XL tank pops out at the sink in seconds. Three steam settings let you match output to the job, which matters because blasting maximum steam on delicate glaze is how you dull a finish.
Users cleaning sealed tile, ceramic, granite and marble report streak-free results with the washable microfiber pads. If grout is your only concern, this is the mop to buy, and it pairs naturally with our tile floor steam mop guide for the finishing steps.
Cleaning reviewers have leaned on this machine for years, and the long-run durability shows up in the ratings. It is a floor tool first, not a detail tool, and understanding that boundary matters more than any spec sheet.
Can a steam mop get into a narrow grout line?
Honestly, no. The PowerFresh head is 12 inches wide and its scrubbing pad sits at floor level, so it cleans the face of the grout and the tile around it, not the inside of the line. On a light kitchen floor that is often enough. On a shower with blackened narrow lines you will still want a detail brush, which is why this pairs well with a canister or handheld in a two-machine household.
What are the PowerFresh’s limits for you?
There is no vertical mode and no crevice attachment in the box, so backsplash and inside-shower work is awkward. The 16oz tank still needs a refill partway through a large tiled area, and the Spring Breeze scent disc adds fragrance rather than cleaning power. If you are buying this for grout above waist height, choose a different machine.
3. Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 – Lightest Mop and the Lowest Spend
Shark Steam Pocket Mop with 2 Washable Double-sided Pads, Purple, S3501
212F at 1050W
450ml tank
30 second heat-up
4.9 pounds
Dual-sided washable pads
Pros
- Lightest unit here at 4.9 pounds
- Low profile head fits tight corners
- Dual-sided pads double a session
- No on-off switch to forget
- Quiet to store and carry
Cons
- Mop pads only with no grout brush
- Tank refills mid-room
- Shorter cord than some Shark models
- No steam off control
The Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 is the least expensive and lightest machine here, and it is the one to buy if your grout is in a small bathroom, a condo entryway or a rental where storage space is tight. At 4.9 pounds and a low-profile swivel head, it is easy to work with for a full hour without wrist fatigue.
It is also completely honest about what it is. This is a mop with washable dual-sided microfiber Dirt Grip pads and no attachment ecosystem at all, so there is no crevice tool, no detail brush and no handheld. The 30 second heat-up and 212F output are enough to steam a small tiled floor properly.
Long-term owners on r/CleaningTips report years of reliable use on tile, laminate and hardwood with the pad system alone. Our hardwood steam mop roundup covers the sealed-floor rules you need before using it on wood.
There is no on-off switch, which owners describe as a feature and others describe as a quirk. It begins heating the moment you plug it in, so you cannot leave it on the counter while you run errands.
Is a Shark Steam Pocket Mop enough for grout lines?
Enough for the job it was built for, which is mopping. Owners using it on textured tile report strong steam output, and the Dirt Grip pads do pick up grime that a bare mop slides over. But a pad has a flat face, so it cannot enter a line the way a nylon detail brush can. Expect the edges of the grout to clean and the center to stay grey.
What should you know before buying this Shark?
The 450ml reservoir runs out partway through a large room, the cord is shorter than on some older Shark models, and there is no way to stop the heat once you are done. Some units also stopped producing steam after roughly four years of heavy use, so treat it as a medium-term tool rather than a forever machine.
4. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner – Hottest Steam for Shower and Backsplash Grout
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner for Home Essential Pack
275F superheated steam
54oz tank
8 minute heat-up
50 minutes of steam
17 accessories
Pros
- Hottest steam in the group at 275F
- 50 minute runtime per fill
- Five nylon brushes plus a brass brush
- Long hose lets you work upright
- Works standing on vertical grout
Cons
- 8 minute heat-up is the second slowest
- Handheld means kneeling on floor grout
- Heavier cost than the steam mops
The Dupray Neat is the hot one, literally. It reaches 275F, which is the highest maximum temperature in this roundup and roughly 60 degrees above what the steam mops produce. On shower walls, kitchen backsplash grout and vertical tile, that extra heat is the difference between loosening a greasy film and just warming it.
The accessory list is the other reason. Seventeen pieces ship in the box, including five nylon brushes of different sizes, a brass brush for mineral scale, a triangle tool for corners, a steam lance and microfiber pads. When your grout lines are narrow and stained, having four brush sizes in the box is worth more than any single extra feature.
Because the tank holds 54oz and delivers up to 50 minutes of continuous steam, refills interrupt you once instead of four times. The long hose and extension tube mean the base stays on the counter or in the closet while you work standing up, which is how most people clean a shower without wrecking their knees.
Users on r/Tile who own the Dupray tend to describe it as the machine that finally made progress on shower grout. We would not go that far, but it is the closest thing to a dedicated grout wand in this list.
Is the Dupray Neat worth the heat-up wait?
For a whole bathroom or a backsplash, yes. Eight minutes sounds long until you realize you are not going to unplug it after five. For a 20-minute touch-up job it is a poor trade, and that is where one of the cheaper handhelds makes more sense. The 275F output and the brass brush are what you are paying for, and they show up on old grease and mineral deposits rather than on routine mopping.
What will the Dupray be frustrating for?
Floor grout. It is a handheld wand, not a mop, so a tiled kitchen means kneeling and working line by line. It is also 9 pounds with the base full, and the wand is narrow enough that wide tile floors take a long time. Grout on walls and in showers is where this machine earns its place.
5. McCulloch MC1385 Canister – Longest Runtime for Neglected Grout
McCulloch MC1385 Canister Steam Cleaner, For Grout and Tile, 23 Accessories
4 bar pressure at 58 PSI
64oz tank
120 minutes of steam
23 accessories
18 foot cord plus 7 foot hose
Pros
- Most dedicated grout tool in the group
- 4 bar pressure with steam lock
- 120 minutes per fill
- Angled nozzle and brass brush included
- Long cord and hose reach from one outlet
Cons
- Opaque tank with no level window
- Small fill port is slow and splashes
- Canister tips over when the hose pulls
- Brush heads wear out fast
If your grout is the kind that has not been touched in five years, the McCulloch MC1385 is the one we would buy. It is the only unit here with real pressure behind the steam, at 4 bar, which is 58 PSI, and it ships with 23 accessories including nylon brushes, a brass brush, an angled nozzle, a scrub pad, a scraper and a squeegee.
Reviewers who bought this specifically for grout report dramatic before-and-after results, describing three slow passes with the nylon brush lifting buildup that hours of manual scrubbing could not touch. The physics is simple. Steam alone softens, and the brush plus pressure removes.
The 64oz tank gives up to 120 minutes of steam per fill, which means a whole kitchen floor or a full shower enclosure in one go. The 18 foot cord and 7 foot steam hose let the canister sit in one spot while you reach a distant wall, and there is an optional steam lock so the output does not pulse while you scrub.
Our pressure washer surface cleaner guide covers the outdoor end of the same spectrum, for patios and entryways where grout meets concrete.
How long should you steam a single grout line?
With this machine, three to five slow passes, letting the steam sit for a few seconds before each scrub pass. If the line is turning grey again within a minute of wiping, the soil is too deep for steam alone and you need an acidic grout cleaner or a professional. Owners on pro forums make the same point: a brush and extraction does the heavy lifting, and steam assists.
What are the MC1385’s real drawbacks?
Three come up constantly. The fill port is small, so refilling is slow and splashes. The tank is opaque, with no level window, so running it dry means a cooldown wait before you can refill. And the canister tips over when the hose pulls taut while you are mopping, which is a genuinely annoying failure mode. The green scrub pads and nylon heads also deteriorate quickly under the heat and pressure.
6. BISSELL PowerSteamer 2685A – Best 3-in-1 for Garages, Decks and Cars
BISSELL PowerSteamer Heavy Duty 3-in-1 Steam Mop, 2685A
1500W variable steam
Upright,reach and handheld
26 attachments
13 inch cleaning path
Trigger control
Pros
- One machine covers floors
- walls and detail
- Hot steam owners use on years of grime
- 26 piece accessory bundle
- Long cord and wall mount
Cons
- Heavier than comparable mops
- Trigger use cramps the hand on long jobs
- Flimsy scrubber and fabric tools
- Less force than sealed handhelds
The BISSELL PowerSteamer 2685A converts between an upright steam mop, an extended reach cleaner and a handheld steamer, and that third mode is what makes it interesting for grout. You can mop a patio, then pull the wand off and get the brush into the lines along a wall without changing machines.
Owners use the 1500W steam output for stubborn jobs that are not really cleaning at all. Reviewers cite lifting paint residue, tape adhesive and tobacco staining, and grout that had gone years without attention. The 26 piece accessory bundle covers grout brushes, window tools, upholstery and car detailing.
It is rated for indoor and outdoor use, so decks, garages, boats and RVs are fair game. A wall mount is included, which matters if the tool lives in a utility closet rather than a cabinet. For anyone who wants one machine instead of a floor mop plus a detail wand, the 3-in-1 logic holds up.
Our garment steamer roundup covers the lighter half of the same category if your priority is clothing rather than grout.
Does the PowerSteamer 2685A clean grout well enough?
Yes on moderate to heavy soil, and several owners specifically credit it with restoring grout lines that had turned black. The handheld mode puts a brush where it belongs, and the variable steam trigger lets you back off when you are near a sealed or glazed surface. It simply is not the fastest path for a very large tiled floor, because the trigger has to be held rather than latched for a long session.
Where does this BISSELL frustrate people?
Hand cramp. Constant trigger depression tires your hand on a long grout job, which is a design choice that some owners love and others cannot work with. It is also heavier than comparable mops, especially in the handheld position, and the scrubber and fabric tools are flimsy and wear out quickly. A few units also stopped steaming after several months of heavy use despite warranty support.
7. Phueut Pressurized Handheld Steamer – Cheapest Way to Hit One Bad Grout Line
Phueut Pressurized Handheld Multi-Surface Natural Steam Cleaner with 12 pcs Accessories, Multi-Purpose Steamer for Home Use, Steamer for Cleaning Floor, Upholstery, Grout and Car (Grey)
230F pressurized steam
1050W
3 to 5 minute heat-up
350ml tank
8 to 12 minutes runtime
Pros
- Lowest cost in the roundup
- Compact 3.9 pound body
- Fast 3 to 5 minute heat-up for a handheld
- 12 piece kit with 4 round brushes
- Good for spot grout jobs
Cons
- Lowest rating here at 4.0 with a 13 percent one-star share
- Small tank and 8 to 12 minute runtime
- 1050W limits deep penetration
- Handheld only with no floor head
The Phueut is the cheapest way to add a steam grout tool to your caddy, and for its intended job it does that job well. At 230F with 1050W and a three to five minute heat-up, it heats faster than any other handheld in this roundup and reaches a useful temperature for surface grime on a single line.
The 12 piece kit includes four round brushes, an extended nozzle, a cone nozzle, a fabric cleaning accessory, a towel sleeve and a glass tool. That is a genuinely useful spread for a compact unit, and the 3.9 pound body with a 9.8 foot cord is easy to pull out for a single spot job without any warm-up planning.
Owners use it on shower lip grout, backsplash edges, car interiors and the tight corner behind a toilet, places where a full mop physically will not fit. Chemical-free operation makes it a sensible addition to a home with kids or pets.
The category-level point matters here. This is a spot tool, not a floor tool, and no amount of marketing turns a 350ml tank into a kitchen-sized machine.
Is a small handheld steamer worth it for grout?
For a few lines, yes, and this is the cheapest way to find out whether you like the technique before spending more. For a whole floor, no. The most-discussed thread on r/CleaningTips for this topic is exactly that story: hours with a small hand steamer and no result, followed by regret that nobody had said a larger machine exists. Treat the Phueut as the answer to one bad line, not to a floor.
What are the Phueut’s limits?
It carries the lowest average rating in the group at 4.0, with a 13 percent one-star share, which is noticeably worse than the mops above it. The 1050W motor is the lowest wattage here and limits penetration into deep, old grout. The safety cap can stick if tightened too hard, and it must cool fully before you open it, and there is no floor head at all.
8. H2O X5 5-in-1 Steam Mop – Rugs, Tile and Detail Work in One Frame
H2O X5 Steam Mop & Handheld Steam Cleaner | 5-in-1 Floor Steamer | Hardwood, Tile & Laminate Cleaner | Carpet Glider Included | Grout, Window & Garment Attachments
248F at 1300W
15 minute heat-up
0.5 liter tank
Nylon and brass brush
Hose,jet nozzle and carpet glider
Pros
- Converts to handheld for grout and windows
- Includes nylon and brass brushes
- Bendable extension hose aids grout
- Variable steam control
- Carpet glider included
Cons
- 15 minute heat-up is the longest
- 0.5 liter tank runs dry fast
- Leaves floors very wet
- Build quality and one-year warranty concerns
The H2O X5 exists for people whose grout problem is only part of the job. It converts from an upright steam mop to a handheld unit, and the box includes a nylon brush, a brass brush, a jet nozzle, a bendable extension hose and a carpet glider. That means tile, glass, garments and rugs in one frame.
At 248F and 1300W the steam output is closer to the Dupray end of the group than to the steam mops, and the variable steam control plus a steam-ready indicator light are genuinely useful when you are moving between a delicate floor and a stubborn line.
Many owners are happy with the versatility and with how well it cleans tile and hardwood using plain water with no chemicals. If you want a single tool for a mixed hard-floor and soft-surface home, the concept is sound.
The bendable extension hose is the detail that helps most with grout, because it lets you bring the brush down into a line without craning your wrist. Our hardwood floor guide explains the moisture limits worth checking first.
Does the H2O X5 actually improve grout?
Results are genuinely split on this one. Plenty of owners report visible improvement on tile, and the included grout brushes are the right tools for the job. Others report no change at all on older grout. We would treat it as a capable general steamer where grout is a supporting task, and not as a restoration tool for neglected lines, which is where the higher-pressure canister options earn their ranking.
What should worry you about the build?
Build quality is the main complaint. Several owners describe the hollow plastic handle as fragile and worry about it snapping, and there are reports of heating element failures after a few months. The 0.5 liter tank is among the smallest here and runs dry quickly on tile, the 15 minute heat-up is the longest in the group, and the one year manufacturer warranty is the shortest offered.
How to Clean Grout with a Steam Cleaner: 7 Steps
Steam first, then scrub while the line is still wet. That ordering answers the most-asked question in the forum threads, and it works because heat softens the soil into suspension while the moisture is still there. Scrubbing a dry line just polishes the dirt into place.
First, vacuum or sweep the floor. Loose grit under a steam head scratches the tile glaze and dulls your finish permanently. Second, check your sealer by scraping a hidden line with a fingernail or a coin, because steam will strip it. Third, pre-treat any blackened lines with a grout cleaner and let it sit, so the steam is doing the last ten percent rather than all of the work.
Fourth, fit the brush that matches the line width and the soil. Fifth, run the machine to full pressure and give it the full heat-up time before you touch the floor. Sixth, work in two to three foot sections, letting the steam dwell on each line for a few seconds, then scrubbing the same line while it is still wet. Keep a clean microfiber cloth in your other hand and wipe the released residue back before it re-soaks into the pores.
Seventh, let the floor dry fully before walking on it. Steam cleaning leaves less water than a wet mop, but a wet tile floor is still a slip risk.
Which Brush Attachment to Use on Grout
Match the brush to the condition, not to the machine. A nylon detail brush is right for grey haze and routine maintenance. A stiff nylon brush is for moderate soil and the kind of buildup a mop leaves behind.
A brass brush is for mineral deposits and hard water scale, which nylon will not shift. Brass is also the most abrasive tool here, so use it on cementitious grout only, keep it away from glazed and polished tile, and never on epoxy or urethane grout, which it will scratch rather than clean.
For the width of the line, a crevice or angled nozzle does the work of a narrow brush without abrasion. The McCulloch angled nozzle and the Dupray steam lance are both built for this, and they are the right choice for new or lightly stained grout where you want lift without scrubbing.
Do You Need to Reseal Grout After Steam Cleaning?
Usually no, and usually only if you stripped it. Steam cleaning does not remove a grout sealer on its own, but sustained heat and brush pressure can wear a thin or old sealer down, and if you worked a sealed line with a brass brush you may have taken the top layer off. The honest test is simple: run a finger along the line after it dries. If it feels the same as an unsealed line nearby, reseal.
For standard cementitious grout, sealing is protective but not mandatory, and plenty of contractors install it without sealing at all because it is a maintenance item that eventually wears away anyway.
Epoxy grout needs no sealer at all because it is not porous. Urethane grout is also non-porous and usually needs nothing. If you have either, skip the resealing question entirely and focus on whether you have already scratched the surface.
There is a second risk worth naming. Homeowners on r/Tile report tile that lost its shine and protective coating after steam cleaning, which then re-stained faster because the glaze was gone. If your tile is glossy, sealed or coated, test a small hidden section first and use lower steam output.
When a Steam Cleaner Is the Wrong Tool for Grout
Skip it when the grout is already crumbling. Manufacturers warn that steam can damage weak grout further, and a r/Tile thread about a sealing contractor had plenty of people reporting steamed floors that never recovered their finish. If the grout is powdery, flaking or chipping, it needs replacement, not cleaning.
Skip it when the lines are deeply stained. Steam lifts surface grime. Deep color that has soaked into the pores of old cementitious grout needs an acidic grout cleaner, and pro operators on truckmount forums say outright that even a good steamer plus scrubbing leaves neglected grout looking dingy.
Skip it for whole floors if you are only willing to spend an hour. This is the top organic result for this topic, and the advice in it is right. A handheld on a large tiled kitchen is an afternoon of nothing. Buy a canister or rent a commercial unit for the job, and keep a handheld for spot work between deep cleans.
How to Choose a Steam Cleaner for Grout
Start with grout-line access, because it eliminates half the category instantly. If the machine cannot put a brush or a narrow nozzle inside the line, it is a floor mop, and a floor mop cannot clean a grout line. The Shark S3501 and the BISSELL PowerFresh are excellent mops and honest about it.
Next, look at maximum temperature and pressure rather than wattage. The Dupray’s 275F and the McCulloch’s 4 bar are what give you real lift on old grout, and both steam mops here cap out at 212F, which is simply the boiling point of water at sea level. Higher wattage does not mean hotter steam once you are at that ceiling.
Do the tank math before you buy. A 380ml reservoir on a 200 square foot kitchen means multiple refills, and each one is a cooldown. The McCulloch 64oz tank and the Dupray 54oz tank are the two that let you finish a room in one fill. And check the cord, because an 18 foot cord with a 7 foot hose reaches a far larger area from one outlet than a 10 foot cord, and moving a plug in the middle of a clean floor is miserable.
Finally, know what professionals actually use. Grout brush plus a wet vacuum, and dedicated chemical tile-and-grout products such as Flex or Enzall, are more common in professional work than steam alone. A steam cleaner is the fastest chemical-free reset you can do yourself, and pairing it with a manual grout brush on the worst lines is the combination that actually changes the color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a steam cleaner clean my grout?
Yes on surface grime, no alone on ancient stains. A steam cleaner with a nylon or brass brush loosens and lifts surface soil and sanitizes the line without chemicals, and the brush plus steam together remove what the heat softens. Deeply stained, porous or old grout will need a grout cleaner or a professional on top of the steam pass.
What is the best handheld steam cleaner for grout?
For grout lines above waist height and for spot jobs, the Phueut pressurized handheld reaches 230F with a twelve piece kit that includes four round brushes. For longer handheld sessions on neglected grout, the Dupray Neat offers 275F steam and up to 50 minutes per fill. A small handheld is the wrong tool for a whole floor, no matter which one you pick.
Do you have to reseal grout after steam cleaning?
Usually not. Steam does not remove a sealer by itself, but heat and brush pressure can wear a thin or old sealer down, and a brass brush can take the top layer off. Test by running a finger along the dried line. Epoxy and urethane grout never need sealer because it is not porous, and cementitious grout is protective rather than mandatory.
What do professionals use to clean grout?
Professionals most often pair a stiff grout brush with a wet vacuum and a dedicated chemical tile-and-grout product such as Flex or Enzall. Steam assists and speeds the reset, and is excellent for chemical-free sanitizing, but operators report that even a good steamer plus scrubbing leaves badly neglected grout looking dingy. Steam is a strong reset, not a full replacement for a pro restoration.
Should I steam first and then scrub, or scrub and steam together?
Steam first, then scrub while the line is still wet. The moisture is what carries the loosened soil into suspension for the microfiber cloth to lift away. Scrubbing a dry line just polishes dirt into place, and the same order applies to the attachments: a brass brush only after a softer nylon pass has done the general lifting.
Why do contractors not seal grout?
Because sealer is a maintenance layer, not a structural requirement, and it wears away through normal use and routine cleaning, so it has to be reapplied anyway. Cementitious grout is porous and benefits from sealing, while epoxy and urethane grout are non-porous and never need it. If your grout is already failing, sealing the surface does not solve the underlying problem.
Our Verdict on the Best Steam Cleaners for Grout in 2026
The PurSteam Therma Pro 211 is our pick for the best steam cleaners for grout in 2026, because a 30 second heat-up, a 380ml tank and a real grout line brush in the box is the combination most households actually need. Run it along the lines, keep a microfiber cloth behind the nozzle, and stop before the sealer goes.
The BISSELL PowerFresh 1940A is the runner-up and the highest rated machine here for routine floor grout, thanks to the flip-down Easy Scrubber and a 23 foot cord. The Phueut handles one bad line between deep cleans. When grout is genuinely neglected, the McCulloch MC1385 and the Dupray Neat are the two with the heat and pressure to match the job, and the H2O X5 earns its place when tile and rugs share the same cleaning session.
Whichever you choose, test a hidden line first, steam before you scrub, and pair the worst lines with a manual grout brush.