How Much Does It Cost To Clean Tile & Grout?
Typical Range:
$283 - $672
Typical Range:
$283 - $672
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 7,487 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Updated June 30, 2022
Reviewed by Cati O'Keefe, Expert Home Building & Sustainability Contributor.Cleaning grout and tile costs $477 on average with a typical range between $283 and $672. Depending on how dirty it is and the size of the job, you might pay anywhere from $140 to $1,000. You’ll pay between $0.50 to $3 per square foot, which depends mostly on how many grout lines you have. The smaller the tiles, the more there is to clean.
As a mixture of cement, sand and water, grout fills the space between tiles during installation. Unsealed, this porous material easily absorbs grease, dirt, mold, mildew and lime scale. The soils, dirt, grime and spills create marks and patches on the lines of the tile floor, and subsequently make the entire floor look dirty and unattractive.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $477 |
Typical Range | $283 - $672 |
Low End - High End | $150 - $1,140 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 7,487 HomeAdvisor members.
Tile and grout cleaning costs $0.50 to $3 per square foot with a $100 to $200 minimum. The largest single cost factor for price is square footage. Most pros will charge a price per square foot that includes time and materials. But you might run into other scenarios, including:
Flat fee: $300-$500 per room (150-250 square feet). Although you might get a flat rate quote, your pro figured it out by the square footage and number of lines.
Per hour: $30-$50 per hour per crew member. Most cleaning jobs take 3 to 6 hours.
Per square foot: $0.50-$3. Per square foot rates vary depending on how many grout lines you have. Small 1”x1” tiles take far longer to clean than a room full of 24”x24” tiles.
Grout cleaning flat rate service costs average $300 to $500 per room. The service often includes sealing costs, which we'll talk about in the next section. Bundling grout cleaning and sealing can result in a discounted rate the the overall service. However, make sure to ask your pro if they specialize in both. Get an itemized list of all services provided, if possible.
Sealing grout costs $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot. In a quoted flat-rate service, this may be included with grout cleaning, but always ask. Sealants help to keep grout clean and free from mold, water damage and grout breakdown. Resealing should be done at least every three years.
The two factors your pro considers when pricing a project and deciding how to go about it include:
Dirt and staining. The time since you last cleaned might impact the price a bit. The harder it is to clean, the more you’ll probably pay.
Size of tile. The smaller the tile, the more grout you’ll have to clean.
Expect to pay an extra $100 to $200 for extremely dirty grout. Dirt and oil build up and stain it, only getting worse with time. If it’s been awhile since your last cleaning, you might need to pretreat them and do a fuller restoration.
If you have a bathroom with 1”x1” tiles, you’ll have a ton of grout lines compared to a room filled with 24”x48” tiles. It’ll simply take longer to do and might require more chemicals and sealants.
Commercial grout cleaning costs the same as residential jobs at $0.50 to $3 per square foot. However, since most commercial spaces use larger tiles with less grout, the costs tend to fall in the $0.75 to $1.50 per square foot range. Commercial jobs use the same techniques, chemicals and machines as a residential project.
Cleaning grout lines keeps your counters and floors looking new and keeps the bacteria at bay. This project can be a DIY job with the use of soapy water, a bristle brush and sealants, available for purchase at most home improvement retailers. Always use chemicals made specifically for the job. There are also steam cleaning machines made specifically for this purpose. Pressure washing and acid-based cleaners can destroy your floor.
The main benefit of hiring a professional service is the lower risk of grout breakdown during cleaning. Pros get the job done quickly, correctly and without damage, which could result in regrouting - costing you two to three times the cost of what it runs to clean it properly. A professional may seem like more money upfront, but their experience and equipment mean a quick, efficient and professional job. Hire a grout cleaner near you today.
Grout restoration costs 15% to 20% more than simple cleaning. Chose an "all-inclusive" professional contractor who specializes in this restoration. They will be able to provide you with the best products, service and technicians, leading to better overall rates.
Grout doctor prices range from $200 to $450 for the average residential bathroom. However, fees vary a bit by location. Taxes, overhead and travel times all affect regional pricing. They not only clean grout, they also offer:
Regrouting & repair
Installation
Stone restoration
Caulking
Cleaning
Sealing
Recoloring
Tile Repair or replacement
Most professionals use machines with low pressure steam. They’ll sometimes use chemicals to treat stains.
Refinishing ceramic tile costs $150 to $2,000. But sometimes you’ll need to fix broken spots or regrout. Repairing tile costs an additional $250 to $600.
The best tile and grout cleaner is a steam cleaner. You can also find chemical cleaners purpose made for the job.
Some tile is waterproof, but grout typically isn’t unless it’s sealed. Porous tiles like natural stone can soak up water like a sponge. You’ll need to seal both annually.
You should clean your tile about once every 6 months. It really depends on how dirty it gets. Don’t wait much longer than a year to clean and reseal to protect your home.
Some carpet steam cleaners have a mode for cleaning tile, but most do not. Unless it’s clearly stated, don’t use it on tile.