The 5 Best Grout Cleaners You Need For Your Home

Regularly cleaning and sanitizing your home is important, but even more important is knowing what to clean. For example, just because you clean your floors or bathtub often doesn't make them spotless. If you have tile or stone, then you also need to make sure to clean the tile grout. Grout is a material made of other epoxy or a cement blend that's applied between each tile.

As Rubi explains, grout serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. Visually, it adds a lovely finishing touch to your tiling job, and it also helps secure your tiles in place and ensure they stay in place for a long time. Grout is slightly recessed from the surface of your tile, though, and a normal mop or sponge will only hit the tile, not the grout. Over time, dirt and grime will darken and dirty the grout, trapping bacteria and dust, as well as making it look gross. This is why First Coast Home Pros recommends cleaning your grout at least once a year, if not more depending on your household. Since grout is made out of a different material than tile, you should look for a specialized cleaner. Keep reading for five of the best grout cleaners for your next tile deep clean.

First up for the best grout cleaners is the Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner, which is available in a quart-size spray bottle on Amazon for $20. While this may seem pricey, it is one of the most popular grout cleaners, with a four-star rating and over 10,000 reviews. This cleaner is ideal for grout on marble and ceramic tiles.

One reason this grout cleaner is so popular is because it isn't made with acid, unlike most grout cleaners. Acid-based grout cleaners tend to be a bit heavier duty, but that's because the acid simply dissolves the top layer of grout instead of actually cleaning it, according to The Grout Medic. This can be effective, but it can also permanently ruin your grout. Acids also release toxic fumes into the air and can be dangerous to keep around pets or children.

To utilize this grout cleaner, soak your grout in the product with the spray applicator and then leave it for anywhere from one to three minutes. Use a brush (either a spare toothbrush or a grout-specific cleaning brush) to scrub it up. Be warned, though, that since this isn't acid-based, it won't remove hard water or calcium stains. It will, however, remove soap deposits.

Next up is the Zep Grout Cleaner and Brightener, which can be found in a two-pack for $20 through Amazon. This product is more than half the price per bottle of the previous cleaner, but still has a 4.3-star rating with over 4,600 reviews. More than its internet reviews, this product became quite popular after a viral TikTok from @cleanwithdora, who showcased the product's effectiveness.

This grout cleaner is formulated with hydrochloric acid, which does work to remove a thin layer of grout from the surface, so make sure to use it sparingly. This also means it can't be used on marble, natural stone, chrome, brass, or stainless steel. It can be used on porcelain and ceramic, though. Hydrochloric acid also works great to remove salt and mineral deposits in cementitious grout, according to Aramsco. Similar to the previous product, pour the Zep grout cleaner onto your grout and let it sit no longer than three minutes. Make sure to wear gloves to protect your skin, and use a brush to scrub up the product, rinsing it with water afterward.

Another effective grout cleaner is the Grout-Eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner, which is available on Amazon in either a single quart bottle for $22 or a single quart bottle plus a brush for $31. This grout cleaner has a solid four-star average with over 12,000 ratings. Grout-Eez advertises the product as having a leg up for its minimal cleaning odor.

Grout-Eez is meant for ceramic and porcelain, but should not be applied on any type of natural stone tile, including marble. It's also safe to use on colored grout. It simultaneously cleans and removes surface-level dirt and grease, while also working to penetrate the surface level of grout. Just like the previous two grout cleaners, all you need to do is apply the product to your grout — although this one has the benefit of a squeezable applicator. Let it sit for as long as 10 minutes before scrubbing it up and rinsing it with hot water. In combination with the acid-based formula, the scrubbing brush should help remove calcium, lime, and rust that have built up over time, according to Rendall's Cleaning.

If you want a non-acid-based grout cleaning formula without the high cost of Black Diamond, consider Granite Gold Grout Cleaner, sold on Amazon for just $9.24 for a 24-ounce bottle. This grout cleaner also has a convenient spray bottle application and comes with a grout scrubbing brush. Since it doesn't contain any acid, it's safe to use on an assortment of materials, including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and glass.

This product is also citrus-scented, which is ideal when cleaning poorly ventilated spaces like your bathroom. It has a 4.2-star rating and over 1,800 reviews. It also doesn't contain ammonia, which The Grout Medic warns can discolor your grout, as well as develop a film that only attracts more grime. The Granite Gold Grout Cleaner is also food prep safe, so you can use it on tiled backsplash. Again, simply apply it to your grout with the spray bottle, let it sit for a few minutes, and then agitate it with the attached brush, rinsing off the grime with water.

Last up is the Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner, which can be purchased on Amazon for $7.08. This grout cleaner has a 4.1-star rating with over 3,800 reviews. It does contain benzenesulfonic acid, but it's safe to use on porcelain, ceramic, glass, and natural stone. It's also a slightly more environmentally friendly option and has a natural citrus scent.

Something unique about this grout cleaner is that it doesn't necessitate an agitator brush. As A Home Crafter explains, all you have to do is spray it, let it sit and break down the grout grime, and then wipe it up. If your grout is in particularly bad shape, you can use a brush for added assistance, though. It also has a foam consistency, which prevents it from leaking out from the grout to the tile. It cleans up hard water and calcium deposits, as well as mold and mildew.