8 Bathroom Steam Cleaners for Sparkling Tiles and Grout
Bathrooms and toilets are among the dirtiest places in our homes – and marketing would have you believe you need to buy expensive cleaning products effectively clean them. But you don’t. A simple steam cleaner can effectively clean your bathroom grout, tiles, bathtub, shower screen, vanity, and more.
Before I discovered steam cleaning, I used to try to be efficient and clean the shower when I was in it. Using toxic chemicals that shouldn’t be mixed with hot water and did who knows what damage to my lungs and skin. Not only am I no longer damaging my health or the environment, but my bathroom is also cleaner than ever, thanks to the power of steam.
So, here are my recommendations for the best bathroom steam cleaners for naturally sparkling clean, germ-free bathroom you can be proud of.
The 8 Best Bathroom Steam Cleaner Recommendations
Want to get right to it? Here are my top choices for a bathroom steam cleaner:
Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaner
The Vapamore MR-100 Primo is the ultimate bathroom steam cleaner. It’s durable, versatile, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Not only can it handle tough bathroom messes, but it can also be used for cleaning other areas of your home or even your car.
With a 1.6-quart water tank that heats up quickly, reaching a temperature of 212⁰F within 11 minutes, and a steam output of 50.PSI (3.5 bars), you’ll blast away bathroom grime quickly and have your bathroom sparkling in no time.
The machine has 11 accessories and performs continuously for 50 to 60 minutes. There’s a range of bristle scrub brushes for tiles and grout.
Other features include an 18-foot retractable power cord, a 5-foot steam hose, an auto shut-off feature, a locking mechanism for attachments, and heavy-duty castors. You can also store some of the attachments in the back of the steamer.
- Large floor head
- 11 accessories + onboard storage for some
- Boiler heats up to 220F
- Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Lifetime warranty (must use distilled water)
- Multipurpose steam cleaner
- Long power cord and steam hose
- Durable construction
- 50 to 60 minutes runtime
- Reliable safety features
- 20 accessories
Cons
- No continuous refill
- Pricier than other models
POLTI Vaporetto Smart 100
POLTI Vaporetto Smart 100 Steam Cleaner is among the best shower steam cleaners. Once you connect it to a power source, it heats up within just 4 minutes. The 2.1 quarts water tank heats hot steam to 280⁰F for sanitizing surfaces.
It uses a high steam pressure of 58 PSI, enabling it to clean even the toughest messes from bathroom floors. You can also adjust the steam pressure to suit your cleaning requirements.
This shower steam cleaner comes with ten accessories for cleaning different surfaces. This means that apart from bathrooms, it is also perfect for floors, carpets, mirrors, etc. The POLTI Vaporetto 100 steamer will be an excellent choice for people suffering from allergic reactions since the British Allergy Foundation approves it.
The machine has a compact design and features durable wheels for more effortless movement. Unlike other steamers, this one has a steam lock located on the handle that allows you to clean without holding down the trigger.
- Boiler temperature heats to 280F
- Tip temperature approx 212F
- Continuous refill - no downtime when water is low
- Onboard accessory storage
- Replacement accessories available
Pros
- Portable design
- Allows continuous cleaning
- Powerful and multipurpose steamer
- Preheat water within 4 minutes
- 10 accessories included
- 3 steam levels
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty
Bissell SteamShot Deluxe Handheld Steam Cleaner
If you are on a budget and need a powerful handheld bathroom steam cleaner, the Bissell SteamShot Hard Surfaces Steam Cleaner will be a great choice.
One thing that makes it easier to use is the on-demand steam trigger that allows you to control the amount of steam from the nozzle. It also comes with ten accessories, including three color-coded round brushes with bristles, a flat scraper tool, a grout tool, an angle concentrator tool, a squeegee for shower screens, windows, and mirrors, and a jet nozzle.
It only weighs 3.83 pounds, making it perfect for those searching for a lightweight model. The downside with handheld steam cleaners is they don’t run for very long. You’ll need to allow a few minutes for the unit to cool before depressurizing, refilling it with water, and cleaning again.
- Handheld steam cleaner with 10 attachments
- Versatile for cleaning small spaces
- Fast heat up but short run time
Pros
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Chemical free cleaning
- On-demand steam trigger
- Kills 99.9% of germs, viruses, and bacteria
Cons
- Short run time
McCulloch MC1385 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
The McCulloch MC1385 is an excellent steamer for bathroom cleaning. It has a long 10ft steam hose, so if you have floor-to-ceiling tiles and want to clean from top to bottom, you can do it easily with this machine.
This is my favorite steam cleaner from the McCulloch range. It is the only steam cleaner from McCulloch that includes a squeegee as standard. The upright design of the MC1385 takes up less space, and there are attachments to clean anything – from your bathroom floor to a plastic shower curtain.
I particularly like the green round scrubber pad for bathtubs and vanity sinks. As you can see in the photo, just about all the attachments have bristles, giving them scrubbing capabilities – even the squeegee.
If you have rough or textured tile in your bathroom, the large brush attachments are an ideal choice to clean your bathroom floor quickly.
- Top of the line model from McCulloch
- Great range of accessories for cleaning both indoors, outdoor items such as grills, boats and car interiors.
- Variable steam settings
- Runs for up to 2 hours, depending on steam setting
Pros
- Portable design
- Long steam time
- The only McCulloch steam cleaner that includes a squeegee
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Cools quickly. The steam hose needs priming before use again.
Bissell PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop
If you are searching for the best kitchen and bathroom steam cleaner, the Bissell PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop 2075A is a suitable machine to consider. It comes with a handheld steam cleaner with onboard storage for the included attachments, which are excellent for grout cleaning.
In the box, you will find accessories to clean the toilet, colored brushes (e.g., green for the bathroom and red for the kitchen), a grout brush, a scraper, and fabric or an upholstery tool. There is also a wall mount for more accessible storage and two steam mop pads for the floor.
The PowerFresh slim converts easily from a handheld steam cleaner to a steam mop to clean sealed hard floors, ceramic, marble, granite, and linoleum. You can attach the accessories to the extension poles or the handheld steaming unit for ease of use.
- Steam mop that converts to a handheld steam cleaner
- 6 attachments and onboard storage
- great for small area cleaning
Pros
- Excellent design
- It comes with a handheld steamer
- Easy to use
- 6 attachments included
- On-board storage kit for attachments
Cons
- Small water tank, but easy to refill anytime
- Brushes wear out easily
Sargent Steam Cleaner Multipurpose Cleaner
When you have a professional Sargent steam cleaner at home, you don’t need a bathroom steam cleaning service. Yes, it’s an investment; however, this powerhouse heats up to 295⁰F for faster, deeper bathroom steam cleaning.
This 1450 watts machine offers up to 2 hours of continuous, making it ideal for heavy-duty cleaning tasks. It takes just 8 minutes to heat water to 295⁰F. Since this steam is hotter than the one that comes from ordinary steamers, the machine is more suitable for deep cleaning.
It offers a higher steam pressure of 65PSI with the adjustable steam flow – turn it low for steaming the toilet without splashing water everywhere, and turn it higher for tackling mold stains in the grout. It is by far one of the best steam cleaners for showers, especially those with large areas of tile and glass.
In the box, you will find 17 accessories for a complete bathroom clean. From horsehair bristle brushes for delicate surfaces to an extra wide squeegee for your windows, mirrors, and shower screens, your bathroom will be sparkling clean in no time.
Every replacement accessory under the sun is available to purchase – and you know you’re buying a quality machine when there is a steam iron attachment to go with the steam cleaner (sold separately).
Once you purchase this machine, you are guaranteed lifetime support from their awesome customer care agents, who have helped thousands of customers since 1993.
- 65PSI
- 298F Boiler Temperature
- Large range of attachments
- Made in Italy
Pros
- Suitable for heavy-duty or commercial cleaning
- Heats up within 8 minutes
- 65 PSI and 295⁰F steam temperature
- 17 attachments included
- User-friendly design
- 2 hours of continuous cleaning
- Lifetime support
Cons
- Price
- Warranty – given the price, I’d expect a lifetime warranty. However, it is a 2-year parts warranty, 5-year heating element, and boiler warranty. You can purchase an extended warranty also.
Wagner Spraytech Steam Cleaner
The Wagner is another top-rated steam cleaner that will give you excellent results when cleaning bathrooms. The Wagner Spraytech is an inexpensive, all-around bathroom steam cleaner that can be used for a whole house clean.
It has excellent features, such as 18 accessories and angled nozzles for cleaning different surfaces. I particularly like the angled nozzle for getting under the toilet bowl rim.
It is equipped with a 40oz water tank which heats water within 9 minutes. This unit offers a high steam temperature of up to 212⁰F, making it one of the most effective machines for sanitizing bathrooms and toilets. You can use the machine continuously for 40 minutes when the water tank is full.
Its 6ft steam hose isn’t as long as the McCulloch MC1385. You can store some accessories on board and easily maneuver the machine with the wheels and the carry handle.
Pros
- 40 minutes of continuous cleaning
- Highly versatile
- Affordable price
- Lightweight design
- Great for toilet and grout cleaning
- 18 accessories
Cons
- Small squeegee
- Included wallpaper steamer may not be of use to some
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner is a versatile bathroom steam cleaner. The squeegee works well for shower doors, mirrors, and bathroom windows. The triangle scrubbing brush easily gets into the corners and along the edges. Six round scrubbing brushes (5 nylon, one brass) help with grout cleaning around tapware and drains.
It comes with a 34oz or (1 liter) stainless steel boiler, which offers continuous cleaning for up to 50 minutes. The machine offers up to 1500 watts and up to 50PSI steam pressure.
The boiler heats to an above-average temperature of 275⁰F – and for a relatively inexpensive steam cleaner, Dupray offers a lifetime warranty on the boiler. Just be sure to use distilled water or regularly descale as recommended.
- Compact yet powerful
- Boiler heats to 275°F
- Versatile attachments
- Lifetime warranty on boiler
Pros
- Lightweight, compact design
- 1500 watts of power
- Versatile performance
- Long steam hose and power cord
- 50 minutes of continuous cleaning
- 14 attachments included
Cons
- Not the best for heavy-duty cleaning
- Only round grout brushes, no long grout scrubbers
How to Clean a Bathroom Using a Steam Cleaner
You can use a steam cleaner to clean your bathroom floors, tapware, vanity, cupboard doors, inside cupboard drawers and shelves, the toilet, grout, tile walls, and tile floors. When cleaning, you should follow these steps:
Assemble the unit
All steam cleaners come with different accessories for cleaning different surfaces. You first need to ensure that you have all the important accessories you will require to clean the bathroom.
Add water to the reservoir-
Once you have confirmed all the important accessories, you can refill the tank using distilled water. Each machine has different water levels and maybe a water level indicator. Use a funnel to prevent spillage, and put the fill cap back after refilling.
Never add cleaning detergents or chemicals to the water tank because steam cleaners are designed to use water only.
Plug it into a power source
Connect the steam cleaner to a power source and then switch it on. Wait for the water to heat up to the maximum steam temperature. This varies according to the machine. Most units have a water-ready indicator that alerts you when the steam is ready.
Start cleaning
You can now start steaming after connecting the relevant accessories that suit the type of job you are doing.
How to Choose the Best Bathroom Steam Cleaner
When choosing the best steam cleaner for bathrooms, you need to consider the following;
Steam pressure and temperature
The steam pressure and stem temperature determine the effectiveness of a steam cleaner. A higher PSI or steam pressure machine can handle all types of dirt, including the toughest stains.
On the other hand, a steamer with a high steam temperature will be the most effective for killing all bacteria, germs, and viruses. Apart from the steam pressure and temperature, you should also choose a model with a higher wattage of at least 1500 watts, especially if you intend to use it for heavy-duty cleaning.
Versatility
It would be best if you considered a machine you can use to clean almost all parts of your home. Apart from cleaning bathrooms, it would help if you had a machine that you could use to clean carpets, mattresses, upholstery, countertops, car interior, kitchen appliances like stovetops, etc.
Accessories included
The other thing you need to check is the type of accessories included. Make sure that the one you have picked comes with all tools you may need to clean different parts of your home. Those machines that come with a higher number of accessories will give you better value for your money.
Run time and pre-heat time
Depending on the size of the water tank, steam cleaner requires a different amount of time to heat. Those with a small water tank heat within 5 minutes, while those with a bigger one may take up to 20 minutes to heat.
Likewise, those with a bigger tank will offer a longer run-time than those with a smaller one. The choice will depend on the size of your bathroom or the nature of the cleaning task. If you need a machine for heavy-duty cleaning, you should look for one that offers at least 2 hours of continuous steaming.
Warranty
If you want to know the machine’s durability, you should check the overall construction of the unit to ensure that it is made of commercial-grade materials. If unsure about the construction, consider a model with a reasonable warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are steam cleaners good for bathrooms?
Steam cleaners are an excellent choice for cleaning bathrooms without using chemicals. The high heat from steam kills bacteria, viruses, and germs. Steam rids bathrooms of odors and urine smells. You should be able to clean every bathroom surface hygienically using only steam, saving you money on chemicals.
Will a steam cleaner clean a shower?
A steam cleaner will clean the shower floor, walls, tapware, heads, screens, and curtains. You can also use a steam cleaner on bathtubs and vanities. The more powerful the steam cleaner, the better the results you will get.
Do steam cleaners clean bathroom tiles?
Steam cleaners are best suited to cleaning tiles. Sealed tiles, such as those in a bathroom, can withstand the high heat of a steam cleaner to melt away oils, soap scum, and dirt. Use a scrubbing brush with your steam cleaner for heavy soap scum and hard water stains.
Will steam cleaner clean dirty grout?
A steam cleaner can effectively clean dirty grout in the bathroom, shower, around the toilet, on walls, and on backsplashes. For best results, choose a grout-cleaning attachment to help scrub the dirt. Work slowly and allow the steam and the scrubber to do the work.
Final Verdict: Are bathroom steam cleaners worth it?
Choosing a steamer for bathroom cleaning comes down to the size of your bathroom and your budget. I’ve tried to cover most options with this list of bathroom steam cleaners above. From an inexpensive handheld steam cleaner to a powerful professional model, you can get amazing results in your bathroom with the help of steam.
It’s important to keep in mind that results can vary depending on the power of your steam cleaner and the existing state of your bathroom.
I have very hard water at home and need to scrub with steam to remove hard water stains. Using a steam cleaner doesn’t negate the need for a bit of elbow grease at times. Remember not to put too much pressure on your accessories and let the steam do the work.
I can clean confidently, knowing I’m not putting toxic chemicals down the drain and saving money in the long run. If you persist with using a steamer for bathroom cleaning, the results will get better and better each time. As always, I’m here for you if you have any questions.
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