Grout cleaners all promise to make dirty lines look new, but they are built for different jobs. Light soil, heavy grime, mold and sealing each call for a different product, and the wrong pick can leave you with a bottle you don't need. Most bad purchases come from choosing by the label alone instead of the surface and the stain.
Look at what is on the grout before you buy. Check whether the label says anything about colored or sealed grout. Then read the warnings about mixing and ventilation.
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6 products
Our picks at a glance
- Aqua Mix® Grout Deep CleanBest overall for dirty groutHeavily soiled grout · Neglected grout joints · Grout that needs a deep cleanCheck price of Aqua Mix® Grout Deep Clean on Amazon
- Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush (#1559)Best brush for tight cornersGrout in corners · Restroom tile · Stuck-on debrisCheck price of Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush (#1559) on Amazon
- Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice GoldBest no-sheen sealer for food areasFood prep areas · A no-sheen natural look · Stone, tile and groutCheck price of Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold on Amazon
- Libman Tile & Grout Brush (#18)Best brush for narrow grout linesNarrow grout lines · Cracks and crevices · Wet environmentsCheck price of Libman Tile & Grout Brush (#18) on Amazon
- Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator SealerBest invisible sealer for porous stonePorous tile and stone · Grout sealing · Indoor and outdoor useCheck price of Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer on Amazon
- Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Foamer with Bleach Original, 30 OunceBest for mold and mildewMold and mildew · Soap scum · Tile, tubs and shower doorsCheck price of Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Foamer with Bleach Original, 30 Ounce on Amazon
Best overall for dirty grout
1. Aqua Mix® Grout Deep Clean
Aqua Mix® Grout Deep Clean
Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean is a grout cleaner for grout joints, and the maker aims it at heavily soiled and neglected areas. That makes it the pick when regular cleaning has stopped working on the lines between your tiles. It is alkaline, with a pH of 11 to 12, so treat it as a strong product and follow its directions closely.
Best for
- Heavily soiled grout
- Neglected grout joints
- Grout that needs a deep clean
Best brush for tight corners
2. Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush (#1559)
The Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush is a hand tool with a V-shaped head of ultra-stiff recycled PET fibers. The maker says the head swivels up to 180 degrees to reach into grout, corners and tight areas, and that built-in scrapers remove stuck-on debris. It is listed for grout lines in restroom tile and greasy restaurant floors, as well as kitchen, bathroom and flooring tile.
Best for
- Grout in corners
- Restroom tile
- Stuck-on debris
Best no-sheen sealer for food areas
3. Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold
Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold
Sealer's Choice Gold is a premium sealer from Aqua Mix for stone, tile and grout, for interior and exterior use. The maker describes a no-sheen, natural look and says it can also be used as a pre-grouting sealer. It is recommended for food prep and serving areas, which is the reason to pick it for that kind of surface.
Best for
- Food prep areas
- A no-sheen natural look
- Stone, tile and grout
Best brush for narrow grout lines
4. Libman Tile & Grout Brush (#18)
Libman Tile & Grout Brush (#18)
The Libman Tile & Grout Brush is a hand tool with an extra-narrow, curved head. The maker says the head reaches the smallest cracks and crevices, which suits thin lines between tiles. It has a non-slip rubber handle for wet environments and fibers made from recycled PET water bottles.
Best for
- Narrow grout lines
- Cracks and crevices
- Wet environments
Best invisible sealer for porous stone
5. Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer
The 511 Impregnator Sealer from Miracle Sealants is an invisible penetrating sealer for medium to dense porous tile, stone and grout. The maker says it is not a surface coating and does not change the look, and that it is for indoor and outdoor use. It also meets USDA requirements for incidental food contact.
Best for
- Porous tile and stone
- Grout sealing
- Indoor and outdoor use
Best for mold and mildew
6. Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Foamer with Bleach Original, 30 Ounce
The Clorox Bleach Foamer & Grout Cleaner is a foaming cleaner from Clorox for grout, tile, tubs, glass shower doors and other hard, nonporous household surfaces. The maker lists mold, mildew and soap scum as its main jobs, which is why it fits a bathroom where mold is the problem. It contains bleach, so read its directions and warnings before use.
Best for
- Mold and mildew
- Soap scum
- Tile, tubs and shower doors
Match the product to the job
How to choose
Heavy soil on grout
For grout that has gone dark with years of grime, start with Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean because the maker aims it at heavily soiled and neglected joints. Apply it, let it dwell 5 to 10 minutes, agitate with a nylon brush or white pad, and rinse thoroughly. If the grout has a colorant or grout stain on it, the maker warns the product may adversely affect those joints, so test a hidden spot first.
Mold and mildew on tile and tubs
When mold or mildew is the problem on tile, tubs, glass shower doors or vinyl curtains, the Clorox Bleach Foamer & Grout Cleaner is the pick. The maker says it suits most hard, nonporous household surfaces and also lists soap scum.
Heavy buildup may need two cleanings. On rubber, plastic, vinyl, metal and old porcelain, rinse right away.
Brushes for tight joints
Match the brush to the gap width and shape. The Libman Tile & Grout Brush has an extra-narrow curved head for the smallest cracks.
The Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush swivels up to 180 degrees for corners and has built-in scrapers for stuck-on debris. Both are hand tools, so pair either one with the cleaner that suits the stain.
Sealing grout and stone
Seal after the grout is clean and fully dry, and pick the sealer for the look you want. Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold gives a no-sheen natural look, and the maker recommends it for food prep and serving areas. Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer is invisible and does not change the surface, which suits porous tile or stone where the look must stay the same.
Epoxy and resin stains
None of the six picks is made for epoxy or resin, so none should be expected to lift a resin spill from concrete or a wall. Look for a product whose label names epoxy or resin and lists concrete or walls, and check that its surface list covers your job. Test any product on a hidden spot before you use it more widely.
Use it safely
Test any cleaner or sealer on a hidden spot before you work on a visible area, as the Aqua Mix sealer and the 511 sealer both direct. Never mix the Clorox Bleach Foamer with other household chemicals, since the label warns that toxic fumes could result.
Wear chemical-resistant nitrile gloves with the Aqua Mix cleaner and sealer, and ventilate when you spray or work with sealer. Remove children and pets from the area while cleaning with the bleach foamer.
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other acids, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Would a home method do?
A home method is often enough for light grime on grout that is not stained or moldy, and you can skip the stronger products here. Save the heavier cleaners and sealers for soil, mold and sealing jobs that a home method does not handle. The matching how-to pages are linked, so you can follow the step-by-step method you need.
How we chose
Every product here earned its place on fit, not on who pays: it is made for this job by its maker's own description, its maker doesn't warn against the surfaces this list covers, and its directions agree with the methods in our stain guides. We put the clearest, best-documented products first and limit each brand to two picks. Our editorial standards.
We compared each pick on its maker's product page, label and safety data sheet. Prices and photos come directly from Amazon and can change. Sources for each pick:
More product lists
Questions
What is the best grout cleaner?
Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean is the best choice for grout that's heavily soiled or neglected. The maker says to let it dwell for 5 to 10 minutes, agitate with a nylon brush or white pad, and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Keep it off any surface the maker does not recommend.
Which product is for mold on tile?
For mold and mildew on tile, the bleach foamer grout cleaner is the product to choose. The maker says to spray until the surface is thoroughly wet, keep it visibly wet for 5 minutes, and then rinse. Do not mix it with other household chemicals.
Can I use a grout sealer on food prep surfaces?
Yes, Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold is recommended by its maker for food prep and serving areas. The 511 Impregnator Sealer from Miracle Sealants meets USDA requirements for incidental food contact. Read the drying directions on whichever sealer you choose before you use the area.
Is a grout brush better than a cleaner?
They do different jobs, so a brush is not a substitute for a cleaner. The Libman brushes are hand tools that reach into narrow joints, corners and crevices. Use a brush with the cleaner that fits the stain you have.
Can grout cleaner remove epoxy or resin?
None of the six picks is made for epoxy or resin, so do not count on any of them for that job. Look for a remover whose label names epoxy or resin and lists the surface you have, such as concrete or walls. Test it on a hidden spot before you use it more widely.
Is the Clorox bleach foamer safe on every surface?
No, the maker limits it to most hard, nonporous household surfaces. The label says to rinse immediately after use on rubber, plastic, vinyl, metal and old porcelain. Keep children and pets out of the area while you clean.