If you are a little tired of looking at discolored white grout on your bathroom or kitchen tiles, then you may need the best grout and tile cleaner to avoid getting permanent stains and discoloration. But with so many different tile cleaners and cleaning products available in the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to use.
After extensive research and testing, we have compiled a list of the best tile and grout cleaners available to help you clean your grout effectively and efficiently. Keeping your grout clean not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home but also prevents mold and mildew buildup, making your spaces healthier.
Our top picks for the best tile and grout cleaners are easy to apply and work on various stains and messes. Whether you have colored or neutral grout, these products are great for keeping your tiles looking brand new. So, let’s get straight to it and take a look at our top-rated grout cleaning solution.
Best Grout Cleaners Reviews
- Tilex Grout Pen – Best For Small Areas
- Hoover Grout Plus (Top Pick)
- StoneTech Klenz All Grout Cleaner – Best For Natural Stones, Marbles, Granite
- Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Cleaner
- Grout-Eez Professional Strength Tile & Grout Cleaner – Best For Grout, Porcelain & Tiles
- ZEP Grout Cleaner and Brightener – Best for White Grout
- Granite Gold Grout Cleaner Spray with Brush – Top Pick For Natural Stone
- Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner – Best value
What is a Grout?
Grout is a type of material used to seal tiles. It is generally made of cement, sand, and water and acts as a glue that holds your tiles together. Grout is also quite porous, meaning it has many microscopic holes that let dirt and debris seep through. Your grout lines become discolored over time as dirty water goes through the porous material inside of your grout lines.
Bacteria and other germs can even grow in your white and colored grout lines as your floor gets dirty, which can cause health risks to your entire house. People often confuse the term grout with tiles. Just remember that grout is the glue that binds together your tiles.
Often it is also the place that collects the most dirt because it is porous. When your grout lines are dirty, we advise you to use the best grout cleaner to make your floors spotlessly and clean. Note that it is best not to use a grout cleaner for draining your pipes and sinks. Similarly, do not us grout cleaners for cleaning hardwood materials.
1. Tilex Grout Pen – Best For Small Areas
This is the best grout cleaner if you want a cleaner to is easy to use and targets certain areas. If you just want a quick fix or have spots that need some touch-up, the grout pen is what you want to get.
Because it is made with bleach, you want to be careful with it when you are targeting certain areas.
Out of all the pens like grout cleaners, we found the Tilex Grout Pen to work the best. It certainly works better than the Miracle Grout Pen.
It cleans out the most amount of grout while minimizing odor due to bleach. The best part about this pen is it is very cheap, as most retail stores have this in stock for only a few dollars.
We highly recommend you use it for fixing small spots in the toilet or shower. If you need to clean the entire house or have a bigger project, we would suggest you use another product. We really like this pen in that it is a hands-off solution, meaning you won’t have to scrub too much.
Simply apply a thin layer of the solution over your dirty grout and watch as the bleach reacts and dissolves the dirt and debris inside your grout lines. Please don’t think this is a toy and let your kids or pets get a hold of it. The active ingredient in it is bleach and it is quite lethal if it is in the wrong hands.
We really can’t say too many negative things about the Tilex Grout Pen besides the fact that it contains bleach and is dangerous. We did find that you can finish the product quite fast if you are not careful with the amount you use every time.
These are small problems to have and we see the pros far outweighing the cons here. The Tilex Grout Pen is the best grout cleaner if you want a portable quick fix to grout lines.
- Portable and good for spot cleaning
- Powerful bleaching agent
- Inexpensive
- Can be hazardous if not used correctly
- Cannot clean the entire house
Click here for more information
2. Hoover Grout Plus for tiles – Best Overall Grout Cleaner
The Hoover Grout Plus is the best grout cleaner if you have medium-grade debris. It is Amazon’s best-seller of grout cleaners because it works better than all of its competitors and is relatively cheaper. If you have more area to cover, we highly recommend you look into the Hoover Grout Plus instead of the Tilex Grout Pen.
The Hoover Grout Plus is an acid-based solution that works better than its top competitor Zep after multiple tests in our test lab. And because it is an acid-based cleaner, you don’t have to scrub too much as the acid in the solution does most of the work already.
However, it also comes with some pitfalls as it cannot be used on stone, granite, or marble as it would react and cause damage to your floor. If you have stone, marble, or granite countertops, we recommend you try the StoneTech Klenz All.
Hoover Grout Plus is the most trusted brand according to all the long-term consumers we interviewed. We even asked a bunch of professional grout cleaners what their preferred grout cleaning brand is and about 70% of them said Hoover Grout Plus.
So it is not just the marketing: this stuff really works. The most common positive comment about this product from professionals and consumers is that it is the best grout cleaner for value.
Hoover Grout Plus is very cheap and long-lasting. One bottle of this product can be used for many years. The most common complaint we see from customers who have used this product for a while is that they wish it would also work on stone, marble, and granite tiles.
If you want the best grout cleaner for the money, we suggest you get Hoover Grout Plus.
- Good for large-scale projects
- Used by many professionals
- Powerful acidic cleaner
- Cannot be used on stone, granite, or marble tiles
Click here for more information
3. StoneTech Klenz All Grout Cleaner – Best For Natural Stones, Marbles, Granite
StoneTech Klenz All is the best grout cleaner if you are looking for a professional-grade cleaner that can be used on all surfaces. Because the main ingredient in StoneTech is an alkaline base, it is relatively non-reactive to marble, granite, or colored tiles.
This means that for full-scale home projects, you can loosely apply this everywhere and don’t have to worry about damaging your floor.
In fact, many people even put this on a mop and apply it everywhere on the floor. It certainly saves you time and probably your back and well because you no longer need to hunch over and get on your knees to clean dirty grout lines.
StoneTech’s biggest competitor is Aqua Mix and through our lab tests, we found StoneTech to be the superior product. It tends to work better by soaking up more dirt and debris and is generally cheaper in most retail stores.
This is of course after you dilute the product since it comes in a concentrated solution. StoneTech is a DuPont product, and DuPont is a name brand that we all know and trust.
The professionals we talked to said they liked StoneTech because it is a powerful grout cleaner that is very forgiving to your tiles.
The most common negative comment was that you had to dilute the concentrate, which can be a bit more tedious work. All in all, StoneTech is the best grout cleaner and the best way to clean grout if you have a big project.
- Can be used on all tiles since it is a basic solution
- Great value
- Used for cleaning the entire house
- Must dilute before using
- Not as strong as acidic-based cleaners
Click here for more information
4. Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner – Best For Floors
The Black Diamond Stoneworks is a fast-acting spray cleaner that is specifically made for all types of grout. It saves you a lot of time and labor by removing grease, dirt, oil, and soap scum wedged in your grout lines.
Although you still have to scrub the dirt away, at least this product helps you get 50% there. It is an acid-free and deep-penetrating formula that cleans out your grout lines without damaging them.
Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner comes ready to work out of the box. You don’t have to mix this product at all or prime your surface. All you need to do is spray a few drops on your dirty grout lines.
Then just wait a minute or so for the chemicals to react with your grout. Finally, scrub away with a scrub brush and wipe clean. You can use the Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner whenever you need to and definitely before re-sealing your grout. It can even be used as a daily cleaner for shower tile grout.
In terms of performance, it is definitely not the strongest acting grout cleaner out there. However, it is strong enough to get most of the dirt out of your grout lines. This is probably not the product for you if you have disgustingly dirty grout that hasn’t been cleaned in years.
Also, it doesn’t clean up the water or calcium spots because it is an acid-free formula. The good part is, that it smells quite pleasant and doesn’t give off harsh fumes.
- Pleasant smell
- No harsh fumes
- Does not clean up calcium spots
Click here for more information
5. Grout-Eez Professional Strength Tile & Grout Cleaner – Best For Grout, Porcelain & Tiles
The Grout-Eez Professional Strength is one of the best cleaner for shower tiles on the market. It is the perfect solution for those looking to bring their tiles and grout back to a sparkling clean condition.
Basically, it is a game-changer when it comes to cleaning. It is easy and safe to use, and most importantly, it destroys dirt and grime with ease. Even colored grout is not a problem with this heavy-duty cleaner.
Regardless of how long your tiles have been stained, the Grout-Eez formula can penetrate the deepest layers, picking up grease and grime along the way. Moreover, it is effective for various tile and grout surfaces, including porcelain and ceramic.
All you need to do is apply Grout-Eez, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then start scrubbing. Finally, wipe off the excess cleaner, and voila. Your tiles and grout will look as good as new.
This is why this cleaner is one of our top recommendations for a cleaner that can be used daily. Note that though this product is really good at removing grime, it also comes with a strong smell. This is because it uses some harsher chemicals than the eco-friendly alternatives. But if you use it once in a while (say once every 6 months) and in between use an alternative biodegradable solution (once a month or week), then you should be alright. Note that the product comes with a small scrub brush, which is always a plus.
- Highly effective and cleans quickly
- Safe for porcelain and ceramic decor
- Safe for any color grout
- Scrub brush included
- Comes with a little strong smell
- Not safe for natural stone
Click here for more information
6. ZEP Grout Cleaner and Brightener – Best for White Grout
Get ready to restore the shine of your grout lines with ZEP Grout Cleaner and Brightener. This product is a must-have for those who want to have the best-looking flooring without any stains or grout discoloration. And it is the perfect choice for those who have white grout.
This versatile grout cleaner deep cleans grout lines and lifts stains, making it the perfect solution for any floor. It is safe to use on floors with colored grout too. The professional strength acidic formula is bleach-free and requires little or no scrubbing to get the job done.
This product is not recommended for use on marble, terrazzo, travertine, natural stone, chrome, stainless steel, brass, or Corian. These surfaces are sensitive and could be damaged.
This pack contains 946 ml of grout cleaner and brightener, giving you enough product to clean and brighten your floors multiple times. Note that you can pour the liquid right on the grout with no side effects. Also, note that this solution is acidic based, so it is best to wear protective gloves and glasses just in case. The acidic formula is strong, so you are best to try it on a small area before you do a big cleaning. Like this, you’ll be assured of the results.
- Brightens as well as cleans
- Easy to apply
- Safe for white and colorized grout
- Acid lifts stains quickly
- Strong chemicals
- Not to be used on natural stones
Click here for more information
7. Granite Gold Grout Cleaner Spray with Brush – Top Pick For Natural Stone
If you’re looking for a reliable and effective grout cleaner that won’t harm your natural stone surfaces, look no further than the Granite Gold Spray. Crafted with the highest quality ingredients, this cleaning spray is specially designed to help you deep-clean grout and remove stubborn dirt and stains safely and efficiently.
Thanks to its all-natural formulation, this spray can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including tile, porcelain, colored grout, ceramic, and glass, making it a versatile choice for any home. With a simple spray-and-wipe application, you can quickly and easily clean even the dirtiest grout lines in no time at all.
The Cleaner comes with a handy brush to help you agitate and remove dirt from your grout, making it an ideal choice for white and colored grouts alike. And thanks to its safe, non-toxic formulation, this cleaner won’t harm your stone or other surfaces. In fact, it is perfect for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and even in areas where food preparation and safety are a concern.
So if you’re looking for a top-quality grout cleaner that can help you clean and protect your natural stone and quartz surfaces, including kitchen countertops, floors, and bathroom vanities, look no further than the Granite Gold Grout Cleaner. Made in the USA with pride, this product is sure to become your go-to choice for cleaning and maintaining your home’s surfaces for years to come.
Note that the cleaner is a bit expensive. When applying the liquid, ensure you spray it, wait a few minutes (about 5 minutes) then brush and finally rinse or use an old humid cloth.
- Comes with a brush that is safe for natural stone
- No harsh chemicals
- Can be used on ceramic, porcelain, and granite
- A little pricey
- Be prepared to scrub a bit
Click here for more information
8. Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner – Best value
This is certified as a safer choice for health and the environment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So the product has passed stringent tests and is the safest and best way to clean tile grout. The only two chemicals in the product are benzenesulfonic acid sodium salts and alcohol, both of which are cleaning/disinfecting agents.
This product is one of the best value grout and tile cleaner that effectively removes tough stains. In fact, the cleaner is specially designed to break down the toughest grout stains caused by mold, mildew, soap scum, and hard water, making your tiles and grout look as good as new.
It is safe for use on ceramic, porcelain, fiberglass, and natural stone. You don’t need to worry about your grout’s color as the Goo Gone grout tile cleaner is safe for white and colorized grout.
The only surfaces you should not use this cleaner on are limestone, travertine, and marble.
You can safely invest in the Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner today and get to see an amazing transformation in your tiles and grout, making them cleaner, brighter, and more appealing. One word of caution, the fragrance is chemically produced, so if you are allergic to fragrance, then you made decide to use another product.
- Cheap
- Cleans mold and mildew stains
- Works on a variety of surfaces
- Not for marble, limestone, or travertine
- The fragrance is chemically based
Click here for more information
Final verdict
After extensive testing and assessment, we have come to our final verdict conclusion regarding the best grout cleaners in the market. Our top pick is the Grout-Eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner, which excelled in both effectiveness and ease of use. The included spray bottle and brush makes it simple to apply and use on a variety of surfaces, including natural stone tile. We noted that it required very little scrubbing to achieve the desired results.
However, for those looking for a more affordable and milder option, we recommend the Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner. This cleaner is certified by the EPA as a safer choice for health and the environment. In addition, it also works on almost all tile and grout surfaces, even the most delicate natural stones. No matter which cleaner you choose, it is crucial to use the correct product, as using the wrong one can cause damage to the grout color and the natural stone tile. Therefore, it is essential to follow the instructions carefully and take necessary precautions.
Best way to clean grout and tiles – A Grout Cleaner Guide
There are 5 steps to best clean your grout and tiles. These are:
- Safety
- Clear surface
- Use a grout cleaner solution
- Scrub the surface
- Rince the surface
1. Wear Protection
You will probably want to wear a pair of thick plastic gloves when handling grout and the best grout cleaner. If you are using bleach or any professional-grade grout cleaner, you wouldn’t want any of that to get on your hands. We recommend these gloves if you want to use a pair of grout-cleaning gloves
2. Clear the surface
If you are very serious about cleaning your dirty grout lines, the first place to start is to make sure the surface of your tiles is clean as well. You do this because you want to make sure there is nothing around the surface of your grout lines before scrubbing or else you could get unnecessary dirt and debris inside your grout lines.
3. Use the best overall grout cleaner solution
It is already hard enough to pick the best grout cleaner. We have made your life easier by reducing it down to the top three. Remember, when you apply the grout cleaner, you don’t need to use too much. Extra cleaner won’t make a difference other than it will just create more clean-up for you and you will end up wasting a lot of solutions. Also, try not to immediately scrub and let the grout cleaner react with the grout lines first.
4. Scrub the grout mold and mildew
After you let the best grout cleaner react with your dirty grout line, it is time to scrub your grout. It is best to use a scrub brush that was specifically designed for grout. If the bristles are too strong you maybe scrub into the grout itself and damage your tiles. You want a grout scrub brush that has medium bristles so that you don’t run the risk of over-scrubbing. You want to use a circular motion when scrubbing your grout lines. We recommend this scrub brush.
5. Rinse and clean up the tile and grout lines
By now you’ve done most of the dirty work. You can pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You now just have to clean up the area with water and wipe off the remaining debris. Paper towels or a dry mop is fine for this. Afterward, you should have a brand new floor to play on.
Shopping for the best grout – A buyer’s guide
There are many different ways to clean grout and tiles. The most common are:
- Grout steamer
- DIY homemade grout cleaner
- Buy a cleaner product for your home
- Get top-of-the-range industrial grout cleaning product
- Hire a professional
1. Get A Grout Steam Cleaner For Deep Cleaning
What a grout steamer does is simple. It applies water vapors at extremely high pressures and heat which in turn breaks up the dirt on the surface of your grout lines. This can be the lazy man’s way of cleaning grout.
You don’t have to apply any grout solution or get on your hands or knees. The steam cleaner for grout will mostly suck out surface-level dirt and debris from your grout lines. The grout steamer can be an expensive way to clean grout. You can find a good quality steamer here. Note that you should not apply the steamer for too long at a single location.
2. Do-It-Yourself Homemade Grout Cleaner
You can try to create your own solution at home. We can guarantee you it won’t be as effective as using the best grout cleaners we reviewed. This may not be the best way to clean grout so try it out if you want.
Most people generally have no idea how the chemicals they’ve made will react with their tiles. If we were to guess, we would say you’re setting yourself up to damage your tiles. Most of the time you are just wasting your time. Do-it-yourself home solutions usually are made of lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, or dish detergent.
3. Over-the-Counter Standard All-In-One Household Cleaner Products
These products weren’t specifically designed to clean grout. Instead, they are generic clean everything solutions you can find at your local supermarket. While they are not designed for grout lines, they are generic cleaners and can be used on grout lines. Whether or not they are effective is a different issue. We would also advise you to be careful when dealing with these products as some of them could damage your floors as well.
4. Professional Commercial and Industrial Grout Cleaner Products
If you are serious about cleaning your dirty grout lines, just get a solution made specifically for grout. These professional-grade products are usually very cheap and incredibly effective. We have reviewed the best grout cleaners on the market and they are obviously all professional grout cleaners for a reason: they work. We highly recommend you use an industrial-strength cleaner the next time you decide to clean your dirty tiles.
5. Hire A Professional Tile And Grout Cleaner Company
When you don’t have the time or energy to get on your knees and scrub away at grout, it is time to give up and just call a professional. There is no shame in it, but just remember it can get really expensive.
Cleaning Tools You Can Use For Tile Grout – A Quick Guide
There are many tools you can use in conjunction with your cleaning solution. The most common are:
- Mop and broom
- Scrub brush
- Grout brush drill
- Cloth and cleaning pads
1. Mop/Broom
Mops and brooms are generally used to wipe the surface of your floors clean before applying the best grout cleaner. This is done to make sure you don’t get extra dirt on the tiles of your floor into your grout lines.
2. Grout Scrub Cleaning Brush
Using the best grout cleaning scrub brush is an effortless way to clean grout. Make sure you get a brush where the bristles in the middle are longer than the ones on the side because grout lines are going to be deeper than your tiles.
The deep bristles in the center and going to penetrate your deep grout lines and the shorter bristles will gently scrub over your tiles. Also, make sure you find a scrub brush with a good handle and a nice comfortable grip. We recommend this scrub brush.
3. Grout Brush Drill
Believe it or not, you can actually get a brush that will attach to the end of a drill. It can be used to apply even pressure to your grout lines and scrubs in a nice circular motion. This is really a nice solution for those who don’t want to work that hard.
4. Cloth/Cleaning Pad Grout And Tile Cleaner
The cloth or cleaning pad is used to wipe down your tiles and grout lines after you’ve finished cleaning. A white one is nice to have because you don’t want any of the dyes on the cloth to get on your grout lines.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions On Shower and Kitchen Grout Cleaners
Why is it important to make your shower and kitchen grout clean?
The obvious number one benefit of having clean grout floors is the fact that you won’t get sick. Bacteria and other germs like to live on the floor, in wet and porous areas. Therefore, grout is one of their best homes. If you have kids or dogs who like to play around on the floor, they will surely pick up dirt and debris that contains germs. If you are serious about not getting sick, you should keep your grout lines clean.
If you have dirty grout lines, an appraiser will lower the value of your house. Dirty grout lines do not really complement your tiles well and they simply do not look good. When others are visiting your home, you don’t want to give the impression that you are a dirty person who keeps the house poorly maintained.
How can you make your grout white again?
The easiest solution is to use a professional strength cleaning solution. There are several commercial cleaning products available that are excellent at lifting stains from grout (see above for options). Another option is to use white vinegar as an all-natural solution. However, be cautious using vinegar on natural stone or unsealed grout, which can become damaged. If the grout is stained or worn down, the only solution may be to replace entire sections. Sealing the grout will help to maintain its white appearance with regular cleaning. To achieve the best possible results, make sure to clean the grout regularly and avoid using cleaners that are too abrasive. These can cause damage over time. By following these steps, you’ll maintain your grout white for years to come.
How to prevent your tile grout to be dirty again?
One of the best ways to ensure that your grout doesn’t get dirty again is to properly apply a grout sealer. Once you are done cleaning your grout lines with the best grout cleaner, you should apply a grout sealer. The sealer sits on top of your grout lines and prevents water and other particles from seeping through. It is an added layer of protection from dirt and debris.
There are two kinds of sealers: penetrating and topical sealers. Penetrating sealers get into the microscopic pores of your grout and seal them, preventing water from getting into them in the first place. They last a long time and are extremely effective.
Topical sealers sit on top of your grout lines and form a protective wall. They are generally cheaper but a bit less effective. In general, you want to use topical sealers in less used areas and save the penetrating sealers for areas of high traffic. If you are looking for the best grout sealer, look here.
What are the basic ingredients used to make grouts for kitchens and bathrooms?
The best grout cleaners all have the same active ingredients: either they contain acid, base, or bleach. Acidic solutions can be very strong like hydrochloric acid or very weak like lemon juice or vinegar.
Normally, when you use an acid-based cleaner, you don’t have to do too much work because the acid is very reactive.
The trade-off is that acid does not cope well with certain materials and can damage them. Basic solutions are more forgiving in terms of damaging your tiles. You can liberally apply them without worrying about causing too much harm to your floor. Bleach-based solutions are the most powerful.
However, if not used correctly, they can also be the most damaging. You can seriously discolor your floor or harm yourself when you use bleach the wrong way. Please use extra care when handling bleach.
Can you use a steam cleaner on ceramic and porcelain tile grout?
If you’re looking for an efficient and thorough way to clean the grout on porcelain tile, ceramic tile, or any type of tile, then a steam cleaner can be an excellent tool for the job. A steam cleaner is a great way to penetrate old stains and buildup in undamaged grout. Depending on the severity of the stains, you may be able to simply wipe away the dirt using just steam.
However, for more stubborn stains and dirt, you may need to use both a steam cleaner and follow up with a cleaning formula and scrub brush. This can help to lift any dirt or stains that have settled onto the grout and restore its color. One very important point to note is that if the grout is damaged, you should skip the steam cleaner. If it is cracked or there are pieces missing, using a steamer will damage the subfloor or backer wall when the tile is seated. So, if you have undamaged grout that needs sprucing up, a steam cleaner might just be the ticket to get it looking great again.
Can grout cleaner damage tiles?
When cleaning a tile floor, many people turn to grout cleaners to help bring their surfaces back to a sparkling shine. While there are many grout cleaners on the market today, not all of them are created equal. Some of the most commonly used tile and grout cleaners use bleach and ammonia as a base. They may seem effective at removing stains, but that’s not all they’re removing. Over time, these cleaners can discolor both your tile and grout, stripping them of the beauty that drew you to them in the first place. As such, it’s important to choose your grout cleaner carefully. Make sure to select a product that’s safe for your tile surfaces and won’t leave behind any residual damage. If you’re unsure of what product to use, consider checking with a tile and grout cleaning professional for their recommendations. By taking the time to choose the right grout cleaner, you can help ensure that your tile floors stay looking their best for years to come.
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