The Best Grout Cleaners for Pristine Tiles in Every Room
- 1/11
The Best Grout Cleaners for Pristine Tiles in Every Room
Grout can get pretty gross. Most of the time, the filling between tiles in your kitchens and bathrooms are a mixture of sand, cement, and water. That means it’s porous, so dirt and grime get ground in and stay there. Even if you regularly clean your floors, soap scum and the remnants of cleaning products can build up in the grout, and that eventually starts to look grimy, too.
Dirty grout might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a problem for a multitude of reasons. Left unchecked, it can quickly become a breeding ground for mold and harmful bacteria. It’s also aesthetically frustrating. Stained grout can make the whole floor look older and less maintained, and grout so dirty it’s changed color can change the whole look of your tile. So it’s important to keep your grout clean.
It’s also important to use the right cleaner. Choose an overly harsh product, and you could wear away the protective seal and risk cracking and crumbling. Luckily, there are plenty of products on the market specifically designed to clean even the grossest grout. Full disclosure, though; there may still be some elbow grease involved.
Cleaning Up? Check out our other guides: ● Best Drain Cleaners ● Best Toilet Plungers ● Best Vacuum Cleaners.
The Best Grout Cleaners
The Expert: I’m a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in tons of national and international publications, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. I’m also a constant DIYer on my mini-homestead in rural Pennsylvania, a mom, and, most importantly (as it pertains to grout cleaning, anyway), a master of stain removal. Grout is one of the most challenging things to remove a stain from, but it’s also among the most satisfying things to get sparkling clean.
My most recent bout with grout happened when my mom moved into a 1950s-era home with lots of incredible original tile… and its original grout, complete with 70 years of filth. It wasn’t easy, but I got the job done, thanks to some of the products on this list.
What to Consider When Buying Grout Cleaner
There are many different types of grout, and each individual cleaning scenario will call for a different kind of cleaner, explained Mitch Hawkins, senior manager of technical services at major grout manufacturer Laticrete. Pre-mixed grout is becoming more popular among professional installers and do-it-yourselfers, he said. There are also non-pre-mixed grouts, including sanded and unsanded cement-based formulations.
“When it comes to grout cleaning, there are some types of grout that can be more difficult to clean than others,” Hawkins said. “Generally speaking, the tougher the grout, the stronger the cleaner you should look for.”
Tile type
“When considering which grout cleaner to use, it's important to consider the type of tile you're cleaning,” Hawkins added. Many grout cleaners use either acidic or alkaline formulas, and many also contain abrasives. For the most part, anything labeled for cleaning grout is safe for ceramic and porcelain tile.
“On the other hand, for natural stone tile, there are specific types of cleaners specifically designed for these surfaces,” Hawkins said. Stone surfaces like marble, granite, limestone and quartz can be stained or etched by the wrong product, so it’s vital to bring the right tool for the job. Grout can almost always be cleaned, Hawkins said; just “be sure to use the right product for the job.”
How We Chose These Products
I tested a number of these products myself on floor tile with off-white, sanded grout, and on bathroom wall tile with white, unsanded grout. Both are similar to what you’ll find in many homes. I also solicited input from Hawkins as a tile installation expert, and spoke to professional cleaners about what they look for in a grout cleaning product, as well as what they always keep in their kit.
Getty Images - 2/11
1) Ultimate Grout Cleaner
Black Diamond Stoneworks
amazon.com
$34.98
User reviews call this cleaner “too good to ignore,” and I’m inclined to agree. It has a strong odor, and it requires you to do a good bit of scrubbing, but it can make the dirtiest grout look brand new, or at least get close. Plus, you don’t need to stress over how it will impact the grout or tile: It’s safe for use on any color grout, and won’t damage natural stone.
amazon.com - 3/11
2) Brilliant Bath
CLR
lowes.com
$4.48
The original CLR, now branded “Brilliant Bath,” is formulated to cut through calcium, lime, and rust deposits (hence the name). This version isn’t designed to remove rust, but if you’re scrubbing dirt, hard water stains, or soap scum from your white grout, it will guarantee you a whole lot of bang for your buck. Brilliant Bath, like most of CLR’s products, also gets points for making the EPA’s Safer Choice list, which highlights products that are less harmful for people and the environment.
Both the original “fresh scent” and lavender versions have a much more tolerable smell than many grout cleaners, which makes an extended scrubbing experience much more pleasant. Best of all, though: It comes in at a lower price point (relative to its volume) than most other grout cleaners.
lowes.com - 4/11
3) Grout-eez Professional Strength Tile & Grout Cleaner
Clean-eez
amazon.com
$21.95
The secret to Grout-eez’s success is its thick, gel consistency. It has a tiny spout that allows for precise application to your grout lines, and it stays where you put it, rather than running off or bubbling away. This lets the acid in the product go to work eating away at surface stains and deeper discoloration. Once you’ve let it sit for 10 minutes or so, use a stiff-bristled brush and medium pressure to brush along or “agitate” the grout lines. Hit it with a mop and you should see an immediate (and pretty satisfying) difference.
amazon.com - 5/11
4) Instant Mold Stain and Mildew Remover
RMR-86
amazon.com
$16.99
Because grout is porous, it can become a breeding ground for mold in warm, moist environments–like, say, your bathroom. Not only is that gross and potentially toxic, it’s also unsightly. Mold comes in many different colors, and most of them stain. Enter RMR-86, a cleaner that is seriously not messing around. This is a sodium hypochlorite-based formula. In other words, it works like a super powerful bleach. And it smells like one, too: The manufacturer recommends using latex gloves and a full-face respirator while you’re using it. I’d add that it’s a good idea to air the room out for a while afterward. Because it’s a pretty hardcore product, it’s best used for the occasional deep clean, rather than for daily or weekly upkeep.
amazon.com - 6/11
5) Grout Cleaner and Brightener
Zep
amazon.com
$23.98
This grout cleaner has a bit of a cult following on social media, and for good reason. Pour it on and let it sit for a few minutes while the acidic formula works on even the darkest staining, and you’ll be shocked when you rinse it. Because of the hydrochloric acid, Zep isn’t safe to use on natural stone or metal. It also has a strong smell so a mask and gloves are a good idea.
amazon.com - 7/11
6) Lemon Verbena Vinegar Gel
Mrs. Meyer’s
amazon.com
$19.49
If you need a product for weekly maintenance cleans that won’t break down your grout (or break the bank), this vinegar gel is the winner by a mile. It’s a “no-rinse” formula, so you can rub it on and then just wipe it off. It’s also great for cleaning most kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and septic safe, so go ahead and give your sinks a good scrub while you’re at it. Plus, it has a nice lemon verbena scent that lingers in the best way.
amazon.com - 8/11
7) Grout Cleaner
Granite Gold
amazon.com
$11.00
Most cleaning products–no matter how gentle they claim to be–will damage or stain natural stone. If your tile or slab is made of granite, marble, limestone, quartz, or another quarried stone, you should use a specialty cleaner like Granite Gold’s. It’s pH-neutral, so it won’t etch stone the way an acidic or alkaline product might. It has a rather strong smell, but that dissipates quickly. As a bonus: It comes with a brush that’s exactly the right size and shape for scrubbing grout lines.
amazon.com - 9/11
8) Grout & Tile Cleaner
Goo Gone
amazon.com
$7.08
You can use this foaming cleaner from Goo Gone to clean a whole sink, shower, or countertop, and it won’t leave a haze on the tile. A little bit of this stuff goes a long way: It starts as a frothy liquid, then foams as you scrub. It works best if you let it sit on the grout for a few minutes before wiping and rinsing. Speaking of rinsing; you’ll have to do it liberally. That makes it better suited to showers and smaller, easy-to-rinse areas, rather than floors.
amazon.com - 10/11
9) Grout Pen
The Rainbow
amazon.com
$16.99
If you need to transform your grout overnight and scrubbing isn’t your thing, this is the best quick fix there is. It’s basically a paint pen for grout, and it comes in nine colors and two different nib sizes. It’s water-based (so clean-up is easy) and doesn’t have a strong smell. Like most quick-fixes, this isn’t really a permanent solution to dirty grout. Dark-colored or greasy stains can show through, and the grout lines may start to show wear sooner than you’d like. Still, the before and after photos will be amazing.
amazon.com - 11/11
10) Tips to Get Your Grout Under Control From Our Experts
PM: How often do I need to clean my grout?
KM: If it’s been a while, or you’re trying to remove mold and mildew stains, an initial deep clean might be more involved. But once that’s done, cleaning the grout once or, in the case of higher-traffic areas, twice a month should be sufficient. And those two kinds of cleans call for different products.
“In most cases, you should use more than one cleaner depending on your needs,” Hawkins said. “One type of cleaner can be used on a regular basis, while a second kind of cleaner can be used for deep cleaning and tougher jobs.”
PM: Besides cleaner, do I need any other tools to clean my grout?
KM: There are plenty of tools that can make scrubbing your grout a less backbreaking experience. A power scrubber can save your hands, and a long-handled grout scrubber will keep you from crouching. Hawkins specifically added that using a surface steamer can make the task go quicker, too.
“If you want to speed up the cleaning process and make it a little easier,” he said, “some helpful tips include using a steam cleaner to really break up tough dirt and grime, using an old toothbrush or small scrub brush to clean hard-to-reach areas, and combining your cleaner with a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the surface.”
Depending on the cleaner you choose, you may also need some gear–including a mask or respirator, gloves, and even coveralls–to protect yourself while you use it.
PM: Can you make your own grout cleaner at home?
KM: A quick Google Search will show you lots of recipes for DIY grout cleaner, but they almost all involve a paste of baking soda and water. Baking soda is not only alkaline but abrasive, which makes it useful for removing dirt and surface stains on grout. I like to add grapefruit seed extract – which you can get online or at most health stores – for its natural antifungal properties. Just mix one cup water, three cups baking soda, and 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract into a paste, scrub your grout, then wipe or rinse away the residue. This won’t remove the deepest-set stains, but it’s pretty good for a three-ingredient fix.
PM: Once my grout is clean, how can I keep it that way?
KM: “To keep grout clean and well-maintained, it's also important to use a sealer every couple of years to help repel dirt and protect the surface,” Hawkins said. To re-seal your grout, first give it the deepest clean you can. Then repair any cracked or crumbling spots and give it 48 hours or so to dry before you apply a grout sealer that’s appropriate for your tile and grout type.
If you stay on top of re-sealing, it’ll make keeping your grout clean exponentially easier. In high-traffic areas like bathrooms, grout can be re-sealed as often as once a year. In rooms that see less use, you can get away with re-sealing every three years or so.
boonchai wedmakawand - Getty Images
