Having the right tools is also an important aspect of cleaning. Krissia Garcia, CEO, and founder of KrissKlean says her team uses “sponges, scrub brushes, pot and pan brushes, or grout brushes” to achieve the right clean. Our top pick, Grout-Eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner, works on white and colorized grout and tackles even heavy messes. Notably, it also comes with a scrubbing brush, one of the tools that Garcia’s team uses when cleaning grout. Here are the best grout cleaners for freshening up your living space. Depending on the amount of dirt and grime, the cleaning task may take some scrubbing or be as simple as wiping the cleaner away. Our tester noted that the nozzle design is not the most helpful for cleaning grout on walls, as well, but loved the results. “Because there is a substantial amount of surface area in our shower, we can’t say that our arms didn’t fatigue with scrubbing,” she said. “But after just one pass, all of the rust-colored stains were easily lifted, and the tiles looked almost like they did when we first moved in.” Notably, the formula works on both white grout and colorized grout. While it works on most surfaces, it isn’t safe for natural stone. Because it comes in a spray bottle, you can use it on the grout lines of natural stone tile and aim for those specific areas. It has a slightly strong scent as well, which you will likely pick up on quickly—our tester noted that it was pretty powerful. While not totally unpleasant, anyone sensitive to chemical-based scents may find the cleaner’s scent is too powerful. Ultimately, whether you are cleaning in a small, enclosed area, such as a bathroom or shower, or a large one, it’s best to ventilate while using this cleaner and follow the safety guidelines that are noted on the packaging. Crack open a window and wear protective eye gear and gloves, so the cleaner doesn’t come in contact with your eyes or skin. The Grout-Eez grout cleaner does use some harsher chemicals than the eco-friendly alternatives. For that reason, it may not be the best choice for food prep areas, such as kitchen countertops. It is ideal for backsplashes behind the stove or entryway floors that see a lot of mud and dirt. The included scrub brush can attach to any standard-sized mop or broom for use on the floor and larger areas, as well, and is angled to get into corners and grout lines. All in all, this is a super effective and versatile product that includes the tools you need to get your cleaning task done. Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $11 The only downside? Expect to do a bit more scrubbing with this formula. Fortunately, it is safe to use on porcelain, ceramic, grout, stainless steel, fiberglass, acrylic, and chrome. That means you can use the same cleaner on most of your bathroom and kitchen fixtures, as well as the tile and grout. Just steer clear of brass, granite, marble, and wood. Price at time of publish: $14 To use it, apply the gel directly onto the surface and let it sit for up to one minute. Keep in mind that this formula includes bleach, so you don’t want to let it sit for very long, or it may damage the finish. In addition, as with any cleaners that contain bleach, you’ll want to take the necessary precautions to ventilate the area. You’ll want to wear protective gloves, keep the bleach away from your eyes and skin, and make sure to never mix the cleaner with another, as the result can be extremely hazardous. In addition, always test the cleaner on a small area first to make sure it won’t scratch or discolor the tile or countertop. Once it has lifted the stain, you can rinse it away with the shower head or a spray bottle of water. Price at time of publish: $24 The cleaner comes in one-quart, one-gallon, and four-gallon sizes. If you have to tackle a large area, this is a big perk when it comes to saving time and money. (You will need to have a separate spray bottle if you purchase the larger refill, however.) Once you’re into cleaning, you’ll notice that the cleaner typically doesn’t require much scrubbing, but you may want to have a brush on hand to work it into the grout to lift up stubborn stains. In the case of our tester, they also reached for a soft sponge to finish a cleaning task in their shower. “The dirt and mildew scrubbed away relatively quickly, and when we gave it a final once-over with a soft sponge and a few sprays from the shower head, the difference was astounding,” she said. “The whole cleaning process took about 30 minutes. Black Diamond worked better than anticipated, and we might even agree with its self-proclaimed classification as the ‘ultimate’ cleaner.” The formula is notably safe for many types of surfaces, including grout and tile. It can even work on natural stone, including marble. It can also effectively remove dirt, grime, soap scum, and pet accidents, which is particularly great for pet owners who are looking to spruce up their floors. However, it is not effective on calcium deposits from hard water or water spots. It is best for dirt and grease, common on tile floors and in high-traffic areas. Price at time of publish: $20 Now, the cleaner does use acid to lift stains and clean, so it’s best to test it on a small area to make sure it won’t scratch or discolor your grout or tile. It is safe for colorized grout but may not be the best choice for all surfaces, especially natural stone. Marble, terrazzo, travertine, natural stone, chrome, stainless steel, brass, and Corian can all be damaged easily. If you do use this cleaner on grout near these surfaces, make sure to tape off the areas you do not want to be touched with a tape that seals well since the liquid formula can spread. Price at time of publish: $31 The cleaner is a bit expensive and comes in a smaller size than many others. It may require more scrubbing and agitating to get the same results as cleaners that use harsher chemicals to lift up stains and dirt, too. For the best results on heavily soiled surfaces, let the cleaner soak for a few minutes before using the included brush. Price at time of publish: $10 The grout cleaner does include bleach in the formula, so make sure that you test a small, inconspicuous area before spraying it all over the tile and grout. The grout should be sealed, and the surface needs to be non-porous to avoid damage or discoloration. Fortunately, sealing your grout is easy and makes it faster to clean overall. Though, you’ll need to take several safety precautions when using the cleaner that is paired with a strong smell. Open any nearby windows, run the bathroom fan, and wear protective gloves and goggles to minimize the impact of the strong chemicals on your home and any contact they can make with your skin and eyes. In addition, follow all safety precautions that you would with other bleach cleaners, including never mixing the product with another. The cleaner should dissipate after you wipe it away, but rinse with water after you are done. That’s a great practice with bleach-based products. Price at time of publish: $13 It is a bit pricey, considering it is just a fancy, battery-powered toothbrush. You could use a worn-out toothbrush and get similar results for just pennies. However, the time and effort that using this powered version saves is worth it to many. It may not be the most efficient way to scrub an entire shower or bath, but it will do the job for stained and dirty grout and be your best friend when spot-cleaning. Price at time of publish: $25
Formula and Ingredients
Professional-strength grout cleaners often contain harsher chemicals, such as bleach or other disinfectants. With these strong formulas, you need to wear thick gloves, vent the space, and even wear goggles to protect your eyes. You also need to be cautious of pets and kids in your household, who these products may not be safe for, and where you’re hoping to clean. Some cleaners are not suitable for food prep areas. It’s best to read all the directions on the label of your cleaner beforehand, so you can get the most out of it and use the product safely and correctly. If you want something less abrasive, look for a grout cleaner certified by the EPA to contain safe ingredients, such as salt and alcohol, for cleaning. (Our best budget pick, the Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner, is one of these products.) Eco-friendly ingredients, such as vinegar, are the least bothersome to the natural environment and your body but may require more scrubbing to get the same level of clean.
Application Method
Grout cleaners come in spray, liquid, and gel form. Sprays are the most common and easy to use, but it is easy to over-spray and cover nearby surfaces. Depending on the material you’re working on and the cleaner, this may cause damage or discoloration. Liquid can be used on its own or to refill spray bottles. Gel is the easiest to control but is often more expensive and not efficient for use on large spaces, like high-traffic floors.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. She has renovated multiple homes, tackling old grout as well as installing and sealing grout on new tile floors. For this piece, she talked to Krissia Garcia, CEO, and founder of KrissKlean, about the best tips and tricks to clean hard-to-reach areas that get a lot of wear, such as grout.
