The Top 5 Grout Cleaners

True story: my mother-in-law once checked the grout in my shower to see if it was clean (it wasn't). The thing is, the best kept house often has a dirty little secret. And for some, it's the grout. Often the most mold-prone spot in the house, cleaning grout can be a downright pain. Sometimes it's just easier to close the shower curtain and walk away. If you're strapped for time, that's often the first place that gets a pass until next time. But as is the case with, well, pretty much every spot in your house, the more frequently you clean it, the easier it is to keep it clean. This is especially true when it comes to the grout in your tiled areas. As for me and my shower, after learning the secrets to clean grout, my mother-in-law will be hard-pressed to find a dirty spot in my house now.

SKYLAR LIFE Home Mold & Mildew Remover

Scrubless Grout Cleaner

The fact that you can just apply this and leave it for up to eight hours and simply wash away to reveal a sparkling clean surface, makes us absolutely love this grout cleaner.

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Cleaning grout can be especially annoying because you have to apply a product and then sit and scrub. Ever moved into an apartment with grout that hasn’t been cared for? Well, you know it can take literally hours to clean that grout. That’s why we love this formula from SKYLAR LIFE.

Made with a drip-free, gel-like formula, you can simply apply this formula directly to the grout and let it sit for 6-8 hours. Once the allotted time is up, simply wash away. No scrubbing required. This formula works so well, it’ll even work on the grout that has been left moldy and dirty for far too long. It’s a highly concentrated formula that is made for those tough jobs.

Pros:

Works anywhere you have grout or sealants, including sinks, bathtubs, kitchen sinks, and even pools and washing machines.
Gel formula means you can leave this on without fear of it dripping all over your floor.
Bottle comes with a narrow-tipped top, making application super easy and efficient.

Cons:

This stuff is strong. You’ll want to wear rubber gloves during application and keep the room well-ventilated. You’ll also need to apply this to a completely dry surface.

Rainbow Chalk Markers Ltd Grout Pen

Cleanless Grout Cleaner

Hate deep cleaning? You're in luck. This grout cleaner isn't really even a cleaner...it just restores the look of your dirty ol' grout with a quick pen application.

Best Grout Pen

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This grout pen makes getting into the details really simple; no need to scrub or meticulously clean that moldy grout. With this pen, you can easily and quickly restore your grout surfaces. This long lasting ink formula will cover up to 60 meters of grout, and all with a non-toxic water-based ink that protects against mold and mildew, making cleaning less of a hassle down the road.

Pros:

Scrub-free formula makes restoring your grout super simple and fast.
Because it’s non-toxic, you don’t have to worry about ventilation or inhaling harmful chemicals.
Once applied, it’ll help protect against future mildew, mold, or dark spots.

Cons:

More of a cover-up than an actual cleaner, you aren’t exactly getting rid of the mold. Rather, you’re just hiding it. If you want a deep clean, you’re better off with a more typical grout cleaner.

Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Cleaner

The Grease Killer

Best for kitchens and mold or mildew free areas, this grout cleaner works wonders on tough stains and grease.

Best Spray Cleaner

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This acid-free formula is safe to use on tile, ceramic, porcelain, and marble…and yet it’ll deliver on even the toughest grout stains. Because it’s a spray, you’ll also effortlessly wipe away that nasty, hard-to-remove soap scum.

While many grout cleaners seem to focus primarily on the bathroom tile areas, this one is a wonder on kitchen tile grout that’s more prone to grease. Because this doesn’t work for mold or mildew, you’ll find yourself using this on cleaner surfaces that need a little extra tough love on the grease or grime. If you are a regular grout cleaner that doesn’t have issues with mold, you’ll love this formula for anywhere in the house that has grout.

Pros:

Available in multiple size options.
Made in the USA.
Great for use on any color grout.

Cons:

This formula is not for use on mold or mildew, but will absolutely clean up any dirt, grime, or heavier stains. Best for those that just need a simple grout cleaner solution.

Clean-eez Cleaning Products Grout-eez Super Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner

Two-for-One

If a spray isn't really getting the results you need, this scrub brush head and formula will definitely deliver.

Best Cleaner & Brush Set

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Sometimes, a product lives up to its name. In this case, it’s true. ‘Clean-eez’ and ‘Grout-eez’ are totally appropriate monikers for this formula. For those tough-to-clean grout spots, this formula is a must-have. This heavy-duty, professional-strength grout cleaner takes away virtually all the hassle of cleaning grout. And for those of us who’d rather just pull the shower curtain closed, that’s a real game changer. The included grout brush connects to any standard broom pole, which just makes everything about cleaning your floor grout easier.

This formula works well on any ceramic or porcelain tile grout. Simply spray it on, gently scrub, and voila…you’ll have a totally clean surface.

Pros:

Long-lasting formula (a little goes a long way).
Fantastic option for those tiled floors.
Low odor formula.
Safe to use on any color grout.

Cons:

Do not use this formula on natural stone.

Drillbrush All Purpose Power Scrubber Cleaning Kit

For The Tough Ones

So, you have a dirty grout issue, and a sponge and a spray just isn't cutting it. Enter this scrub brush set that's ideal for those hard-to-get-rid-of stains.

Best Grout Brush

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When all else fails, grab this guy and get to work. This grout cleaner is a bit more heavy duty than a simple spray…which makes it awesome for those long-forgotten, super moldy spots that require a bit of extra scrubbing. This grout cleaning kit comes with three different sizes and shapes that attach to your favorite drill. The nylon bristles can safely be used on tubs, sinks, baseboards, fiberglass, shower doors and tracks, porcelain…really, whatever area with grout that needs an extra deep clean.

If you have a drill (it’s not included) and you have a grout cleaning solution (also not included), this grout cleaner brush set will bring your grout from drab to fab with just a little bit of effort.

Pros:

These brushes are best used for extra tough grout stains.
3 sizes and styles of brushes included, which is fantastic for those tricky spots.
Can be used without a cleaning formula.

Cons:

No formula included with this grout cleaner. This is a brush-style grout cleaner, and you’ll need a grout cleaning formula to use with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my grout?

While it totally depends on the level of mold or mildew present in your home, as well as the climate zone you’re in and the quality of your water, if you want to keep your grout completely free of mold, mildew, or stains, you’ll want to clean it thoroughly at least once a year. In order to keep it to once a year, however, you’ll need to do far more frequent up-keep cleanings.

To be clear: a thorough clean is different than a preventative clean. For preventative cleans, a weekly or bi-weekly clean is necessary. For this, a simple spray solution (or an easy DIY water and baking soda paste) will do the trick. If you regularly keep up with these types of preventative cleanings, you won’t need to thoroughly clean your grout as frequently.

What’s the most effective way to clean seriously dirty grout and tile?

If you failed on the preventative cleans department, you’ll need a serious cleaner to get that grout back to perfection. This might require a more toxic formula, or a combination of a scrub brush and a formula that sits on the grout at least overnight. Typically, it’s best to apply formula to dry surfaces and then scrub after it has set for awhile. For more toxic, harsh formulas, you’ll need lots of ventilation and you’ll definitely want to use rubber gloves.

If you were on top of preventative cleans, give yourself a pat on the back. You likely won’t have to deal with too much scrubbing or hassle to get your grout back to beautiful.