"Grout is often the dirtiest part of a floor because of gravity," says Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro Home Cleaning Company. To keep your grout in the best shape, you need to use one of the best grout cleaners that can effectively clean or whiten your grout without causing any damage to the surrounding tiles. Whether you choose a chemical or steam cleaner, it's important to choose a product that's not only effective but also easy to use—Amazon reviews will give you an idea of which options require the least labor, but often require some scrubbing with chemical cleaners.
To help you narrow down all your grout cleaner choices, keep in mind that "not all tiles are the same," so make sure the product you choose is specific to the type you're using, says Sarah McAllister, CEO and founder of GoCleanCo Ceramic tile is safe. Working with. For durable tile materials like ceramic or porcelain, Homer suggests you can use an acid-based grout cleaner, which she explains is "best for removing dirt, grease, soap scum, hard water deposits, and rust stains because The acid actually dissolves the minerals and oils." These cleaners also remove mold. However, if whitening your grout is a priority, choose a product that contains bleach, which can also kill bacteria and germs. To whiten a small area of grout, you may prefer a bleach pen that dispenses just a little product at a time. Be aware that bleach-based cleaners can damage colored grout.
To avoid damaging more delicate tile materials like marble, you'll want a gentle product that doesn't contain harsh ingredients like acids or bleach. If you're not sure what type of cleaner to use on your tile, Kristiana Laugen, home expert at Handy Cleaning and Handyman Services, recommends that before you start, "read the instructions on the bottle to learn what surfaces the grout cleaner can clean. Apply safely."
While choosing the right grout cleaner for your specific job is most important, Homer, McAllister, and Laugen all agree that it's also a good idea to invest in a stiff grout brush for scrubbing because it can speed up the task significantly, which is why I also Added one to the end of the list.
However, if you want to avoid chemicals in your home, a steam cleaner can effectively clean your grout without scrubbing. Becky Rapinchuk, owner of Clean Mama, recommends that you "look for one with a nozzle/hose that can apply steam to the grout lines." Also pay attention to the size of the tank; larger Water tanks can hold more water and can handle larger grout cleaning projects without having to stop and refill the tank - but they tend to be more expensive. Steam cleaners can be used on white or colored grouts, but be careful not to use them on marble.
These six grout cleaners are highly rated on Amazon, with thousands of positive reviews to back up their effectiveness.
1. Fan Favorite Acid-Based Grout Cleaner
- Safe for use on: ceramic ; porcelain ; white and colored grouts
With over 5,900 reviews on Amazon and an overall four-star rating, Grout-Eez Grout Cleaner is a favorite on the site for its power. Many reviewers have commented that even the dirtiest grout looks almost brand new. This acidic cleaner can be used on white and colored grouts because it contains no bleach and is safe for use on ceramic and tile. However, this is not a good choice for more delicate surfaces like marble.
To use, spray product directly onto grout, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then scrub to remove grease, dirt, and nasty stains. Feedback from Amazon reviewers is mixed on how much scrubbing is required, but most say letting the product sit before doing so makes the task much, much easier. It doesn't come with a spray bottle, but if you can buy one separately.
One bottle of this grout cleaner can clean up to 250 square feet. If you need a grout brush, you can also buy a set that includes one.
Enthusiastic Amazon Review: "I absolutely love Grout-eez!!! So easy to use and it really works! My kitchen floor looks great! I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an easy way to clean grout People recommend this product, it doesn’t take much effort and the results are amazing! ”
2. Mild grout cleaner safe for use on marble
- Safe for use on: ceramic ; marble ; porcelain ; white and colored grouts
For more delicate tile materials like marble, you'll need a gentler grout cleaner to avoid damage, and this cleaner from Black Diamond is ideal. This pick is acid- and bleach-free and safe for use on a variety of surfaces, including marble, ceramic, and porcelain. Additionally, it can be used with white and colored grouts. While this option isn't necessarily the best for removing mold, mildew, or water spots, Amazon reviewers confirm that it does an excellent job at cleaning grout overall; after more than 5,900 reviews, they gave it a thumbs up on the site This choice has a four-star rating.
To use the product, spray it on the grout, let it sit for 1 to 3 minutes, then scrub with a brush (don't worry, reviewers confirm this step requires minimal elbow grease) to remove any remaining dirt.
This pick is sold in a variety of different sized bottles, ranging from 1 quart to 4 gallons, and some options come with brushes or even two different sized bottles.
Warm Amazon review: "I knew my grout was messy, but I didn't realize how gross it was until I used this cleaner. It arrived yesterday and I decided to test a small area to see how effective it was. Spray on and wait 3 minutes. I then used the brush to stir the dirt out of the grout, which was much easier than I expected (I thought I would have to scrub hard) instead it was a very simple back and forth motion and the dirt came out immediately. The grout came out. I then used a very damp rag to clean up the cleaner and the dirt turned out better than I expected. I'm going to buy more to finish my entire home."
3. Gel grout cleaner with bleach
- Safe for use on: ceramic ; porcelain ; white grout
Due to its thicker formula, this gel cleanser from Soft Scrub is easier to use on vertical surfaces (and less messy!) because it doesn't drip like liquid products. Since it contains bleach, it's also a great choice for brightening white grout lines while removing stubborn mold and mildew. Just be sure to avoid using it over colored grout.
To use, apply product directly to grout and rinse. Amazon reviewers said they did need to do some scrubbing to get the grout completely clean. For particularly tricky jobs, the manufacturer recommends letting the product sit on the surface for up to one minute.
While this pick is great for cleaning grout, it can actually be used on a variety of other surfaces, including bathtubs, countertops, shower stalls, sinks, stoves, tiles, and toilets. However, it is not suitable for delicate materials such as marble.
Enthusiastic Amazon Review: “Really surprised! I thought I’d tried everything. Then I tried this on my tub grout and caulk. […] Still in shock. Everything was clean again ! Yes, it smells like bleach, which doesn’t excite me, but after rinsing, the smell goes away quickly, so it’s worth it.”
4. A set of bleach pens for spot cleaning
- Safe to use on: ceramic; porcelain; white grout
If you only have a small section of white grout that needs cleaning or whitening, these bleach pens from Clorox are your best choice because they're super quick and easy to use - just shake the pen, unscrew the gap, dispense the gel, and scrub ( Just a little bit!) and rinse. The dual-ended applicator features a fine tip for targeted spot treatment and a wide scrubber for treating larger areas. Mold, mildew, and stains are no match for this pick, and it works well on caulk, too.
Because this product contains bleach, it should only be used on white grouts and durable tile materials like ceramic and porcelain. The set comes with four pens.
Passionate Amazon review: "Use them to clean my shower grout. Great because I barely have to scrub. Just trace the tile, let it sit, then scrub lightly before rinsing. My shower is...probably The whitest ever!”
5. Powerful steam cleaner with large water tank
- Safe for use on: non-porous surfaces; white and colored grouts
Tired of wiping grout clean? Upgrade with this steam cleaner from McCulloch, which uses hot, high-pressure steam (also known as chemical-free) to take your grout from dirty to shiny - without the fuss. Packed with 18 different cleaning accessories, this pick can be used throughout your home, but for grout, the real champ is the powerful nozzle, which is designed to fit perfectly into small gaps to remove grime. Amazon reviewers are so enamored with this product that they gave it an overall rating of 4.4 stars on the site (out of 9,000 and counting reviews).
This steam cleaner heats to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 minutes, and the 48-ounce water tank can run for up to 45 minutes before needing to be refilled. The 15-foot power cord and 9-foot hose give you plenty of flexibility and range. Additionally, this pick comes with a 2-year warranty.
Passionate Amazon review: “First off, I want to say that I have never written a review. But this [gear] is so awesome that I felt like I had to get around to writing one. This thing cleans everything so easily. It’s so easy to use It's even fun. [...] It's such a time saver and requires no effort to clean my tile floors and grout lines. I thought my floors were [actually] clean after mopping. Use this stuff. You should see all the dirt coming out of your grout lines, this is a must have and the price can't be beat."
6. Handheld steam cleaner for under $50
- Safe for use on: non-porous surfaces; white and colored grouts
Although it's a super deal, it costs about $30! — This steam cleaner from BISSELL makes grout cleaning a breeze as it delivers high-pressure steam (and is chemical-free!) with just the press of a trigger. The grout cleaning tool is designed to dig deep into grout to remove dirt and grime, while six other cleaning tools, including three round brushes and a flat scraper tool, can be used throughout your home to clean and disinfect surfaces.
According to Amazon reviews, this handheld steam cleaner heats up in just 30 seconds, and the 6.6-ounce water tank capacity allows you to get about 15 minutes of steam before you need to add water.
Warm review on Amazon: “This is a great tool for cleaning out gaps and grout. I cleaned up the grout in my kitchen and was actually a little grossed out by the condition of them. I cleaned the tiles and thought I did a good job, but This is all back to how it was when the house was built (1950's), the tiles are brighter and the grout is clear, I'm glad it looks like I updated the tile work and the scrubber attachment does a great job of scraping away the steam looseness. dirt."
Also great: Stiff Grout Brush
This grout brush from Crown Choice has an overall rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon from 1,400 reviews and counting . The brush features stiff, angled bristles that are narrow enough to penetrate deep into grout to clean. The wide plastic handle is easy to hold and operate. Use it with any chemical cleaner on this list and prepare to be wowed.
After cleaning the grout, you can clean this pick in hot soapy water or place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Enthusiastic Amazon review : "This brush is great for cleaning grout. I'm not sure it will be any different than a regular brush, but the design does keep the scrubbing area focused on thin grout lines. The handle also makes it easy use."
expert:
Melissa Homer, MaidPro Chief Cleaning Officer
Kristiana Laugen, Handy Home Expert
Sarah McAllister, CEO and Founder of GoCleanCo
Becky Rapinchuk, owner of Clean Mama
