Best Spray: Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner
For easy, fast cleaning, this spray has you covered. You apply it to your floors with the spray nozzle, let it sit for one to three minutes, agitate it with a scrub brush, and rinse it with water. In less than an hour, you have like-new grout.
Key Features
Liquid cleaner 32-ounce spray bottle Wait time of one to three minutes
What Customers Are Saying
Testing
Right off the bat, our team noticed how easy it was to apply this grout cleaner. The spray nozzle simplified the application process by preventing the need to fully bend over. The spray covered a lot of grout, and after three minutes, it was ready for scrubbing. We saw immediate results after one run-through with the scrubber with no signs of grout discoloration.
Best For Deep Cleaning: Clean-eez Grout-eez Grout Cleaner
This grout cleaner removes dirt, grease, and other stains from a variety of tile surfaces, including ceramic and porcelain. Though you have to let it sit for 24 hours, its profession-strength formula returns your grout to its original color. With the use of its spout applicator, the cleaning solution spreads across your grout, bringing settled grime to the top for removal.
Key Features
Liquid cleaner 32-ounce pour bottle Wait time of 10 minutes before scrubbing and 24 hours after for penetration
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers noted this grout cleaner’s ease of use and effectiveness. However, the strong, chemical-laden formula presented some health risks for other users. One customer recommended wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask for protection.
Testing
During our testing, this solution moved naturally into the tile’s joints, effectively covering a large area. Per the directions, we let the product soak into the grout for about 10 minutes. After scrubbing the grout between each joint, it appeared much lighter, returning close to its original light gray color.
Best Kit: Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser
Marketed as a cleaning solution for chrome, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, copper, and more, this grout cleaner gives you the flexibility to clean a variety of your home’s surfaces, including tile and grout. Packaged alongside a scrubber, this cleaner seeps into your grout before you scrub away the dirt.
Key Features
Liquid cleaner 13-ounce squirt bottle Included scrubber Wait time of one minute
What Customers Are Saying
Customers complimented this cleaner on being useful for a variety of jobs. One reviewer even wrote about it restoring the finish on their stainless steel dishwasher. When it came to cleaning tile, reviewers raved about its ability to clean shower grout. Its limited negative reviews said that it either didn’t work well enough or worked too well. It left grime behind for some customers and removed the caulk for others.
Testing
This cleanser was tested and proven to be effective at removing dirt and grime between tiles, though we can’t speak to its effectiveness as an all-purpose cleaner. It did leave a white residue on the top of the tile and grout. The haze lessened after another wash with water.
Best For Small Bathrooms: SKYLAR LIFE Mold and Mildew Stain Cleaner
This gel grout cleaner simplifies mold and mildew cleanup. You squeeze it out, wait six to eight hours to let it soak in, and wipe it away. Though effective, it’s not meant for large bathroom floors or showers because it comes in a small five-ounce tube.
Key Features
Gel cleaner Five-ounce squirt bottle Wait time of six to eight hours
What Customers Are Saying
Testing
We found the tube to be user-friendly and convenient for reaching tight spaces and corners. We did two applications of the gel to a grout line underneath a tub. Each time, we applied the gel, waited the recommended six to eight hours, and wiped the area clean. We saw noticeable results after the first application, though the area didn’t appear to return to its original color until after the second application. The product didn’t irritate our nose, eyes, throat, or skin, but we noticed a chemical-like smell. We also had to use nearly the whole tube to clean a foot-long grout line, restricting this product to small mold and mildew spots.
Best For Widespread Mold Removal: FOLLOWIN Mold and Mildew Cleaner
This cleaning solution is specifically designed to eliminate mold, mildew, algae, and fungus stains. With no required scrubbing and safe ingredients for wood, concrete, drywall, siding, tile, and grout, this cleaner can tackle grime in nearly all areas of your home.
Key Features
Gel cleaner 18-ounce squirt bottle Wait time of three to 10 hours
What Customers Are Saying
Testing
Our team found this gel to be easy to apply despite its large and somewhat heavy bottle. Once it was administered on the designated grout line, we allowed it to sit for seven hours, following the recommended time of three to 10 hours. Like the SKYLAR LIFE gel, this cleaner was most effective after a second application. While it didn’t irritate our senses, it did have a chemical smell.
Our Testing Process
We tested each grout cleaner in this review, following the manufacturer instructions to ensure optimal results. To maintain consistency, we tested the two mold and mildew cleaners next to each other on the floor underneath a bathtub. We applied the remaining three grout cleaners to different areas of the same floor. We used the scrubber that came with the Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser to scrub every cleaner into the grout, excluding the two mold and mildew removers that didn’t require scrubbing.
Buyer’s Guide
Considering your tile’s material, grout color, and other specifications can ensure that you purchase the right cleaner. Here are the most important factors to keep in mind when you’re buying a grout cleaner.
Grout Color
Most grout cleaners target white grout. If you have colored grout, make sure the cleaner you use doesn’t contain chemicals that could damage it.
Stain
Many grout cleaners contain acidic ingredients to remove dirt and grime buildup because that’s the most common reason your grout gets stained. If you have mold or mildew growing in your grout, you need a specific cleaner that has a high pH.
Material
Ensure that the grout cleaner you purchase won’t damage the material your tiles are made from. Floor tiles are usually made from porcelain, ceramic, marble, or natural stone. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are generally safe with any cleaner, but you can taint natural stone and marble with the chemicals in many grout cleaners. For these delicate materials, make sure the cleaner’s label lists them as safe.
Time
Some cleaners are applied, scrubbed, and wiped off in one sitting. Others require time to agitate the surface and remove grime and discoloration. Read the instructions on the back of your grout cleaner to understand the time that’s required for optimal results.
How To Use Grout Cleaner Safely
Before using a grout cleaner, read its label. Some cleaners provide a safety warning that outlines the necessary steps to take to protect yourself. If your cleaner doesn’t include this information, look up its ingredients to see if they’re hazardous. You can also look through the reviews to see what precautions other customers took. For an acidic grout cleaner, the manufacturer usually recommends a respirator and gloves. For pH-neutral ingredients, these safety precautions may not be necessary.
Protecting Your Grout
Due to its porous nature, grout easily absorbs dirt and grime. To prevent these substances from penetrating your grout, you should apply a sealer during tile installation or after grout cleaning. Sealers keep the grime on the surface of the grout to remove it easily with a mop.
How often do I need to use grout cleaner?
The frequency of cleaning depends on how much foot traffic your floors receive and how clean you want your grout to be. If you notice that your grout is darkening, set aside some time for a deep clean. Most homeowners use grout cleaner once or twice a year.
Is it safe to use grout cleaner on tile walls?
Yes. However, since grout cleaner usually comes in liquid form, it can run down your wall. Instead of applying the cleaner directly from the bottle, consider dampening a brush with the cleaner before scrubbing it into the grout.
Will a grout cleaner remove grout sealant?
Some, but not all, grout cleaners are able to remove grout sealant. If you wish to preserve the sealant, look for a natural or gentle grout-cleaning formula—usually a solution that’s pH-neutral and acid-free.
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