Do you struggle to keep your tiles and grout clean? Porcelain tile flooring is common in many areas of the home, such as the kitchen or bathroom. But they can collect a lot of dirt and debris build-up over time, especially in the grouting.
That’s why steam mops are a great tool for keeping them clean. They offer powerful sanitizing and cleaning without chemicals damaging the surface of your tiles.
In this article, we’ll explore the best steam mop for tile floors. We’ll also explore the features to look for so you can find the best option for your floors.
Our Top Picks
The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.| Best Steam Mops for Tiles of 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall BISSELL Power Fresh |
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 | Best Budget PurSteam Steam Mop |
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 | Most Versatile LIGHT 'N' EASY |
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 | Most Easy-to-Use Shark Genius Steam Pocket |
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 | Best Heavy-Duty Dupray Neat Steam |
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Are Steam Mops Safe for Tile Floors?
Yes, steam cleaning is completely safe for tile flooring and grout.
Tiles are usually made from ceramics and glazed for internal use. But, other materials such as glass, concrete, cork, and other composites are also commonly used for tiles.
When it comes to grout, there are many different forms of grouting material. However, cement-based grouts are the most common.
Because of their composition, tiles and cement grout can withstand many different environmental stresses. For example, they are fire and heat-resistant, and non-combustible.
They’re also durable and non-sensitive to moisture.
Take Note
And unlike traditional mops, steam mops work without the use of harsh chemicals. So they won’t damage the coating on your tile floors.
What to Look For in a Steam Mop for Tile Floors
Keep these features in mind to find the best steam mop for tile floors.
Types of Steam Head
Rectangular Steam Head
Rectangular steam heads are large and cover more floor area in each pass. So they’re a good steam mop head for cleaning big spaces quickly. For example, see this Shark Genius hard floor cleaning system.
Triangular Steam Head
Triangular steam heads are smaller, so they can fit into tight and narrow spaces. So if you have a lot of corners and tight spaces to clean, you should consider a triangular mop head.
See this O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop as an example.
Swivel Steam Head
A swivel steam head can rotate during cleaning. This makes them easy to maneuver compared to a rectangular or triangular-shaped steam head.
So they’re a good steam mop head for cleaning around furniture and obstacles on your tile floors. Consider the cleaning needs for your tile floors to find the right head for your grout steam cleaner.
Corded or Cordless
Corded
A corded steam mop can offer you unlimited run-time. But, if you choose a corded model, the length of the power cord can vary.
For example, the cord length can range between 15 to 30 feet.
A longer length will give you a lot of freedom when you’re cleaning. So you should consider this if you have large areas to clean.
For an example, see this Bissell PowerFresh Slim steam cleaner with a 25-foot power cord.
Whereas steam mops with a short cord length will limit you to smaller spaces. And you may end up having to unplug your cleaner frequently to reach a power outlet.
Cordless
Alternatively, you can consider a cordless steam mop. A cordless steam mop can provide a lot of portability because you’re not limited by the length of a cord.
But, because they run on batteries, it’s important to consider the battery life of your model. The best cordless steam mops have a battery life of 1-hour or more.
However, an hour may not be a long-enough run time if you have a large home. So you should consider the battery charge time, too.
Most steam mops take more than 2 hours to charge.
So if you have a large area to clean in one session, you should consider extra batteries. This will allow you to keep steam mopping without having to wait for it to re-charge.
Water Temperature
Otherwise, the steam won’t kill the bacteria on your tiles (1).
Plus, if the steam doesn’t reach a high enough temperature, it may leave a lot of water on your floors. And this can damage your tiles.
Various steam cleaner models reach the desired temperature at different times. The best steam mop for tile floors will heat up in less than one minute.
However, some steam mops can heat up in a matter of seconds.
Water Tank
Steam cleaners with a large tank are heavier, but they require less refilling during your cleaning session. So if you have a large area to clean, you should consider a steam cleaner with a large water tank capacity.
A small tank capacity will mean you need to keep filling the tank more often as you clean. Plus, you’ll have to wait for it to reheat each time before you can continue cleaning.
And this can take up a lot of time. So consider the size of the water capacity to find the best steam mop for your floors.
Weight
For example, some steam mops are as light as 5 pounds. Whereas other steam mops are a lot heavier at around 15 pounds.
A heavy tile steam cleaner will be harder to carry up and down your stairs or around a large room. Whereas, lightweight steam mops are easier to carry and maneuver as you clean.
So if you have multiple floors to clean, you should consider a lightweight steam mop.
It’s important to keep in mind that you shouldn’t let your steam cleaner sit in the same spot for too long. This is because a steam mop needs to be in constant motion during steaming.
Therefore it may become difficult to push a heavier steam cleaner around for a long period of time.
Cleaning Pads
These pads attach to the base of the steam mop and come into direct contact with your floor. So it’s important to find the correct cleaning pads for your tile cleaning needs.
For example, some cleaning pads are designed for cleaning certain types of stains. Whereas others are designed to be sturdier when cleaning.
You should consider abrasive cleaning pads for cleaning your tiles. These are more efficient on tiles than a soft cleaning pad.
Additional Features
- For example, an empty reservoir indicator is a light that flickers when your water tank is empty. And this can be helpful to know when you need to refill your tank.
- Because tiles aren’t susceptible to water damage, you should also consider a steam mop with maximal moisture output. Some steam mops also have variable steam settings for steam control, or a high-steam blaster option. And this is ideal for deep cleaning and removing grime or buildup from your tile floors.
- Some steam mops also have a vacuum cleaner feature. A steam vacuum cleaner feature is helpful for removing loose debris and dirt from your tiles before steaming.
- Features such as pivoting mop heads, ergonomic handles, and floor nozzles are great for maneuverability. So if you have small spaces or furniture to navigate around you should consider a steam mop with these additional features.
- There are also a lot of accessories to consider. Some steam mops have wands that are designed to clean glass and mirrors as well as your floors. Plus, some are designed to steam upholstery too. For instance, this Steamfast SF-370 comes with 15 accessories, including a hand-held hose for cleaning your furniture.
Consider your cleaning needs to find the right attachments for the best steam mop for tile floors.
The Best Steam Mops for Tiles and Grout of 2023
We’ve spent hours combing through the best steam mop for tile floors and grout on the market. From reading honest customer reviews, technical specs, and expert advice, here are our top five favorite steam mops.
1. BISSELL Power Fresh Steam Mop
This Bissell steam mop has microfiber pads that remove 99.9% of all germs and bacteria from your tiles and grout in each pass.
It has a soft pad for everyday tile cleaning and buffing.
Plus, it has a flip-down scrubber to tackle tough marks and tile scuffs. This scrubber is designed to reach into the grouts of your tiles so you don’t miss a speck of dirt.
But, what customers love about this steam mop are the two spring breeze fragrances that come with it. You can insert them into your mop pad and enjoy a welcoming fresh scent while you deep clean your floors.
Lastly, it has three steam settings so you can control the steam output to suit the floors you’re cleaning. The variable steam control means you can clean tile floors as well as other hard floors and surfaces with this steam cleaner.
- Variable steam control
- Suitable for multiple floor surfaces including hard floors, hardwood floors and ceramic tile
- Fast heating in 30 seconds
- Machine-washable microfiber pad
- The handle isn’t height-adjustable
Technical Specs
| Power Source | Corded |
| Weight | 6 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | 16 ounces |
| Voltage | 120 V |
2. PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
It’s not only affordable, but it has multiple accessories so you get more than just a steam mop with this pick.
It has a built-in detachable handheld steam cleaner and flexible hose. So you can clean almost anywhere with this one machine.
This is perfect if you have tiled stairs or narrow corners to clean.
Plus, it comes with two nylon brush grout cleaner attachments for cleaning tough stains on delicate tile grout.
It’s also lightweight at only 2.2 pounds. So you can easily carry it around your home when you’re cleaning multiple rooms. The lightweight build also makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and obstacles while cleaning floors.
- Multiple nylon brush attachments
- Suitable for all surfaces
- Easy-switch attachments for quick multi-task cleaning
- No tool storage
- Loud
Technical Specs
| Power Source | Corded |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | 11.5 ounces |
| Voltage | 110 V |
3. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Steam Mop Cleaner
Not only is it designed for efficient tile cleaning with a 250°F superheated steaming system, but it functions as 5-tools-in-1.
This Light ‘N’ Easy steam mop has an easy-detach multi-purpose handheld steamer with interchangeable attachments. So you can steam clean walls, furniture, and windows as well as your tiles.
Plus, it has a cylinder cleaning tool and a window squeegee for removing oil and hard water stains from any flat surface.
But, it also has a grout cleaning tool and bristle scrub brush to make cleaning any mess from your grouts easy. So you don’t have to waste time and elbow grease scrubbing tough stains or marks when you’re cleaning grout.
- Triple-layered microfiber pads
- Long 20-foot power cord
- Easy operation with a smart-switch to quickly heat water
- Multi-floor steam control for tile, hardwood floors, laminate flooring, and carpets
- Includes a window squeegee for cleaning glass
- Set-up instructions are hard to follow
- Can leak when it’s standing still
Technical Specs
| Power Source | Corded |
| Weight | 10.43 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | N/A |
| Voltage | 110 V |
4. Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and has an even steam function for consistent continuous steam results with every clean.
Plus, you don’t have to get your hands messy with this steam pocket mop. The cleaning pad grips to the steam mop with touch-free technology.
So you can click it on and start cleaning straight away. This also allows you to release the dirty cleaning pads without touching them.
But, the pads on this steam pocket mop are also double-sided and washable. This means you can get twice as much cleaning done with each pad.
And you can throw the washable microfiber pads in the washing machine after you’ve finished cleaning so they’re ready for the next clean.
Lastly, the even steam function ensures steam is directed throughout the whole surface of the steam mop-pad for consistent cleaning results every time.
- Steam blaster function for concentrated spot cleaning
- Easy assembly
- The microfiber pad has absorbent strips to remove excess water from wet floors during cleaning
- Doesn’t stand on its own
- Steam blaster control setting drains the water tank quickly
Technical Specs
| Power Source | Corded |
| Weight | 5.77 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | 220 ml |
| Voltage | 120 V |
5. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
With a cubed design, this compact cleaner sanitizes, degreases, and deodorizes any surface you want to clean. It provides up to 275°F of steaming power to handle any spills and stains.
And the extra hot steam sanitizes your tiles efficiently in a single pass.
It also comes with a large capacity for up to 50 minutes of cleaning time with each fill.
Only 9.5 by 10.5 inches, it’s easy to carry around wherever you need it. Plus it has a retractable handle design for easy transportation.
But the square design isn’t the only thing that stands out with this cleaner. It also has a 17-piece accessory kit to tackle a variety of heavy-duty cleaning tasks.
So whether you have stubborn tile marks, soiled carpets, or grout stains, this cleaner can do it all.
- Includes hose extension tubes
- Compatible with any cleaning cloth or towel
- Compact portable design
- Large tank capacity
- Includes a grout cleaner accessory
- It has a slow heating time of 7 minutes
- No swivel head
Technical Specs
| Power Source | Corded |
| Weight | 9 lbs |
| Tank Capacity | 54 ounces |
| Voltage | 120 V |
Steam Mops for Tile Floors Comparison Chart
| Product | Power Source | Weight | Tank Capacity | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISSELL Power Fresh Steam Mop | Corded | 6 lbs | 16 ounces | 120 V |
| PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner | Corded | 2.2 lbs | 11.5 ounces | 110 V |
| LIGHT 'N' EASY Steam Mop | Corded | 10.43 lbs | N/A | 110 V |
| Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop | Corded | 5.77 lbs | 220 ml | 120 V |
| Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner | Corded | 9 lbs | 54 ounces | 120 V |
Related Topics
Tips for Steam Mopping Tile Floors
Follow these tips for an efficient tile steaming process.
- Make sure you vacuum before you begin steam cleaning. This will remove any loose dust or dirt particles from your tiles so you can effectively clean and disinfect the floor.
- Avoid using anything other than water with your steam mop. Using harsh chemicals in the water tank will void your warranty. Using only distilled water or demineralized water will also maximize the performance of your steam mop.
- We don’t advise using white vinegar during your steam-clean. This can dissolve the cement grouting and damage your tiles.
- Don’t use a steam mop if you have a lot of dirt on your floors or if they’re flooded. Instead, use sponge mops or a traditional mop and bucket to clean them before steaming.
- When you’re cleaning dirty grout lines, use the rigid nylon brush for delicate grouts. Or, use the brass brush for more resistant grout.
- Avoid completely filling your water tank. Steam forms better when the water tank isn’t full.
- Fill your water tank with warm water to speed up the heat process.
- After steaming, use a microfiber cloth on your steam mop to wipe away excess dirt. Then, allow your floors to dry thoroughly.
- For best results, apply a sealer to your grout within 24 hours after steaming. This will prevent oil and dirt from getting into the grout and help to prevent future stains. But, keep in mind that you should only use a sealer on regular cement grout and not on epoxy grout.
- You shouldn’t spray anything on glazed tiles. This will make the glaze easier to steam clean and help it to last longer than other coatings.
