The Best Tile and Grout Cleaning Machines for Commercial Use

As a tile and grout cleaning business owner, you know that the right equipment is everything. The tile and grout cleaning machines you choose determine the quality of the finished job.

If your clients are left with spotless spaces that look sparkling new, you can count on repeat business and future referrals.

Tile and grout are especially tricky to clean, thanks to their porous, irregular surfaces and frequent contact with moisture. Having the very best tile and grout cleaning machines matters even more with these materials than with more forgiving surfaces like hardwood or glass. For cleaning tile and grout, it’s worth investing in the very best cleaning machines you possibly can. You’ll be able to take on the dirtiest, most stained areas and return them to a fresh condition that will truly wow your clients. 

An Informed Investment

Tile and grout cleaning machines are a big purchase and you need to be informed to get your money’s worth. This article is a complete guide to shopping for tile and grout cleaning machines.

We’ll go over the types of machines, price points, and reliable brands so you can make an investment that will really pay off.

What Kind of Tile and Grout Cleaning Machine Do I Need?

When choosing tile and grout cleaning machines for commercial use, the most important factor is what you’ll be using it for. Does your cleaning company focus on commercial cleaning, residential cleaning, or both? These are very different jobs that require different types of machines. You’ll want a much larger and more powerful machine for any commercial cleaning, while if you show up to a residential job with a commercial machine, it will feel heavy and cumbersome. Depending on your business, you may require one or both types of tile and grout cleaning machines. 

Another important factor is heat. Grout is a rough, porous material that can invite all kinds of mold and bacteria. To truly clean it well, you need a machine that uses both heat and moisture — as in steam. A quality commercial unit that uses steam will kill over 99% of viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants.

You will probably want to complement your grout cleaning machine with one that can vacuum and polish tile with motorized brushes. This will allow you to clean surface-level dirt and organic matter that stop tiled surfaces from looking clean and new. 

What Else Should I Look for in Tile and Grout Cleaning Machines?

Beyond these general categories, there’s a lot more to look out for if you’re trying to find the best tile and grout cleaning machine for your needs. 

As we mentioned, steam is crucial to the best grout cleaning machines, and there are several factors to look at when buying. How large is the water tank? How quickly does it heat up? These factors will determine how fast and efficiently you can clean, saving your team hours and saving you money over the long run. Since steam comes out of the machine through a nozzle, different surfaces will also require a variety of nozzle shapes to get them as clean as possible. Does the machine come with these accessories, or will you need to buy them separately? 

If you’re looking for a motorized floor scrubber to get tile bright and shining clean, there’s a whole other set of options to be aware of. Is the machine cordless? If not, how long is the cord? If the tile cleaning machine also acts as a vacuum, does it use a bag or canister? These are all factors that will affect the ease of use, and determine which jobs the machine is best suited for. 

For both tile and grout cleaning machines, be sure to check out how much the machine weighs and whether its shape is a convenient one to handle. 

Shopping for Tile and Grout Cleaning Machines: Manufacturers and Pricing

There are quite a few companies that make good cleaning machines for tile and grout. However, it depends on the type of machine you are looking for. For example, Hoover and Oreck make good vacuum machines for cleaning tile, while Dupray’s steam cleaners are some of the best. If you’re looking for smaller tile and grout cleaning machines for residential jobs, Shark is a good option. They make vacuums as well as steam cleaners. 

There’s a very wide price range for tile and grout cleaning machines, but don’t expect them to come cheap. Prices start under $200 for a small machine like the Shark Steam Pocket Mop but expect to pay $1000s for a professional steam cleaner like the Dupray Carmen Super. 

It’s up to you as a business owner to decide what model and price point suits your needs. If you’re focusing on residential cleaning, you’ll choose smaller machines, and if you’re on a very tight budget, used equipment might be your only option. In general, this isn’t an area where you should cut costs. The success of your business depends on doing a good job, and with challenging materials like tile and grout, that means you need to use the best cleaning machines possible.

Other Tools to Help Manage a Tile and Grout Cleaning Business

Having the right cleaning machines is only part of running a successful business. Just like a quality product, customer service is everything. Smooth and organized business operations are paramount to creating positive experiences for your clients.

 Having business management software that is configured to the needs of your tile and grout cleaning business can be a huge help in growing your business.

Vonigo is a tool to streamline the operational side of your business, helping you with online booking and other management tasks so you can keep providing the same incredible service no matter how much your company grows. If you’d like to learn more about how software can help you manage and grow your tile and grout cleaning business, read our ebook “How to Book More Jobs, Save Time and Money with the Right Tools.”

You can also read our case study with Sir Grout, who use Vonigo’s software to manage their entire franchise.