Based on the above, I've ordered a McCulloch MC 1275. It's bigger than the little model, but the little model has a lot of "Stay away" reviews.

When we bought a rental house, previous owners had given their dogs baths in the guest shower, and it stunk to high heaven. It took a commercial steam-cleaning service to get the smell out of the porous tile.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Based on the above, I've ordered a McCulloch MC 1275...

That’s the model the wife has and that bad boy does an awesome job of cleaning tile grout.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig Marine:
My wife uses a small portable steam cleaner made by McCulloch. Uses it for counter, floor and wall tile; works very well.

Same here. Small steam cleaner and a stiff brush gets the dirt out.
OK, Knees on tile, even with padding hurt. Then the steam is hot and wet. Still.

Thanks for the ideas guys, seems like my dream of easy, no scrubbing, or other manual activity is in vain. I probably should have said that this is a shower/bath and the stains appear to be mostly mold in that they only appear where the tile gets wet from showers, not where the water doesn't hit. This makes the choice of cleaner more critical, and color matching to the non-stained grout more of a challenge. But, sometime this week, when I get a day that isn't completely scheduled, I will apply a little elbow grease (a little is all I have) to the problem, and hope that my results are good enough for the wife.

Well, SigForum cost me money once again, but this time pleased my wife! Bought the recommended McCulloch MC 1275, cleaned the laundry room tile in about an hour. 10 years of dirt and dog slobber gone!

So what should I use to easily and effectively seal the grout?

Halfway done
image0 by Chris Barnes, on Flickr

Finished and dry
image1 by Chris Barnes, on Flickr

quote:

Originally posted by Icabod:

quote:

Originally posted by Sig Marine:
My wife uses a small portable steam cleaner made by McCulloch. Uses it for counter, floor and wall tile; works very well.

Same here. Small steam cleaner and a stiff brush gets the dirt out.
OK, Knees on tile, even with padding hurt. Then the steam is hot and wet. Still.

If you want to bump it up a notch then spray your favorite shower cleaner on the surface, let dwell 30 seconds, and then steam. I use the steam cleaner's brush attachment.