There have been several threads here over the years about steam cleaning. I have a canister model steam cleaner, not the hand-held type, and I love it for cleaning floors. I just used it recently on the grout in the bathroom. It does a great job.

I haven't had any experience with a steam cleaner of any kind but I have had tile on the entry way and bathroom floors. I just cleaned it with soap and water. I sealed it when it was installed and I didn't have any problem. I did not like it so didn't have any installed in this house.

If the temperature of the "steam" is about skin temperature at a distance of 10-14 inches as some are they become an excellent tool for cleaning houseplants. Indeed this is the only thing that I use mine for.

I have breathing problems with a lot of cleaners so I use a hand-held steam cleaner for a lot of my cleaning. It also gets into those hard-to-reach areas in the bathroom, and has several functions with the attachments that come with it. Make sure you have a rag or micro-fiber towel with you when you use it. You'll have some drips to wipe up.

I also have a canister with different attachments for it, so I can steam curtains, mattresses, furniture, mirrors, as well as floors, etc.. It's great for cleaning windows, believe it or not. I think it works best with two people - one person running the nozzle end, and the other person watching the cord and making sure the canister doesn't bang into everything. I also have a Shark for floors (you pump it as you mop to make steam) when hubby isn't around to help with the canister model.

-Grainlady

Grainlady--I'm curious as to what brand your canister model is. We will be prepping our house to sell. There are several rooms with tile floors. I've thought about renting one for a weekend, but if I can purchase one for a cost close to the rental I would go that way. My concern is that one I purchase won't work well and then I would end up renting the big one anyway.

I hav one.They do work nicely.

rrah-

I have a Shark canister. Not sure the model, but similar to the ones at the link below. -Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Shark Steam Canister

Thanks for the reply. I'll look at the current Shark models. I know how much it will cost to rent one for a weekend (large, commercial model). Today I'm thinking I'll just rent one and see if I like it. I've bought small appliances in the past that were a waste of money. I don't want to do that again.