From everyday dust and dirt to the occasional drops of bodily fluid (disgusting, we know), bathroom floors go through a lot on a daily basis.
As a germaphobe, I clean my own bathroom floor on a regular basis. So I was sufficiently grossed out when my husband showed me photos of the bathroom he’s currently renovating. Apparently, the prior residents never heard of a mop before, because the gunk and grime was pretty caked on after years of neglect.
Naturally, the wheels started turning in my head and I shared the photos with my colleagues at Shop TODAY. They were equally stunned by the gnarly stains and agreed that this floor was the perfect candidate to put grout cleaners to the test for our next Ranked story.
My husband and I got to work testing a variety of grout cleaners to see which ones were powerful enough to eliminate some serious stains. Read on to see which ones stood strong in our tests.
What should you look for in an effective grout cleaner?
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing an effective grout cleaner so you’re not wasting your time or money.
Ryan Knoll, the founder of home cleaning company Tidy Casa, recommends starting by confirming that the product is compatible with the specific tile you’re cleaning.
“Something that works well for porcelain may damage more natural stone like marble or limestone, especially if those surfaces aren’t finished properly. So make sure you’re not using something that will hurt the tile around the grout,” he advises.
Here’s a quick guide to the type of cleaner to look for depending on your floor and/or grout type, according to Renata Cruz, a cleaning expert at Coastal Maid San Diego:
- Cement-based standard grout: Works well with “most common purpose-dedicated cleaners when used as instructed.”
- Epoxy grout: Use a milder pH-neutral cleaner; no grout sealer application required
- Ceramic tile with natural stone: Use cleaners that are suitable for both the grout and the tile
- Marble, travertine and limestone: Use acid-based cleaners
You should also take ingredients into consideration when choosing a grout cleaner.
“If you are planning to clean grout on a more frequent basis, look for a more gentle cleaner that does a good job at lifting everyday dirt without wearing down the grout’s seals. For a deeper clean once in a while, when you are faced with body oils, greasy products or very ground-in dirt, using a stronger cleaner may be better suited,” says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean cleaning services.
Cruz also suggests looking for products that were developed specifically for cleaning grout rather than general purpose tile cleaners or bathroom cleaners “that are intended to clean the tile faces rather than penetrate through grout pores.”
As a general rule, Knoll says it’s best to start with the mildest cleaner and working your way up as necessary. “Don’t just go straight to high acid or bleach,” he says.
Best overall grout cleaner
Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner
Efficiency: 5/5 | Ease of use: 4.5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
Throughout our general testing, we found that it was easier to remove stains with a brush versus a microfiber cloth. Luckily, the Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner includes a brush so you don’t have to purchase a separate one.
We started by spraying the product into a microfiber cloth and wiping off the top layer, which was mostly dust. Then we really saw what we were up against: heavy, caked-on stains.
On the second pass, we thoroughly soaked the floor with the spray and let it sit for three minutes before using the brush to scrub. Compared to all the other products we tested, this one was the quickest to remove stains. It also happened to be the grossest square we cleaned since it was right by the toilet.
After a third round of spraying and scrubbing, we were almost there, but decided to give it another pass, so we sprayed it a fourth time and let it sit for 10 minutes. This time, the floor started to shine more. On the fifth and final pass, we started to see diminishing returns. But at this point, the square was 95% clean, so we were thrilled.
One thing to note: The nozzle tends to leak product into your hand while you’re spraying. But for the results we saw, that wasn’t a big deal.
As for the scent, it’s slightly musky but very subtle and inoffensive.
While the Black Diamond cleaner earned an identical score to the Magic Grout Cleaner and required more total passes, this one was up against must harsher stains right around the toilet. The way this cleaner handled the stains were seriously impressive and gave it that little extra edge to earn it the title of best overall.
More grout cleaners, tested by the author
Strongest sprayer:
Efficiency: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
The first thing we noticed while using Magic Grout Cleaner was the sprayer. It was the most powerful out of all the products we tested, dispensing the most fluid at once while simultaneously covering a wide surface area.
The citrus scent also won points in our book since it’s very light (barely noticeable, in fact) and it doesn’t linger.
We started by spraying the foamy product into a microfiber cloth and rubbed it into the floor. It took off the surface layer, but there was definitely more work to be done, so we then sprayed it directly onto the tiles. After letting it sit for three minutes, we used the microfiber cloth again and and were able to remove a bit more grime, but not a ton.
For the third pass, we sprayed it directly on the tiles again and used a brush to scrub it. With the brush, we were able to remove more grime and the tiles started to shine. We followed this same course of events for the fourth and final pass. The final result was a floor that was almost unrecognizable.
Leaves the floor shining:
Efficiency: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Scent: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.67/5
Similar to the other products we tested, we started by spraying Granite Gold Intensive Grout Cleaner into a microfiber cloth and scrubbing the tile. It didn’t do much, so we moved on to spraying the tile directly and letting it sit three minutes for all subsequent rounds.
Once we scrubbed with the cloth, the tiles started to shine a bit. Compared to all the products we tested, the shine appeared noticeably faster with this spray.
By the third application, a good portion of the gunk had come off, but we still saw a noticeable layer on certain areas of the square.
Even though this cleaner bundle comes with a brush, my husband is stubborn, so he tried to clean this area without it at first. By the fifth scrub, he gave in and started using it. We saw much better results and it didn’t require as much elbow grease compared to scrubbing with the cloth.
As for the scent, the brand says the product is unscented, but we detected a slight citrus smell. It was very pleasant, but we took half a point off since you’d expect it to be unscented based off the packaging alone.
Best scent:
Efficiency: 4/5 | Ease of use: 4.5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.5/5
We were up against some pretty heavy stains in the area that Goo Gone was set to tackle. To start, we sprayed the cleaner into a microfiber cloth and rubbed the floor to take off the surface layer of dirt and dust.
For the next four rounds, we sprayed the product directly onto the floor, let it sit for three minutes, then scrubbed with a microfiber cloth.
After the second round, we started to notice the grime coming off in some areas, but not all of them. The real difference came after the third pass. By round four, we started to get diminishing returns, but still attempted one fifth and final round for any dirt that may have wanted to come out. By the end, we were happy with the results.
Outside of its performance, what really stood out to us about the Goo Gone cleaner was its scent. It has a light citrus scent that you don’t really notice after the initial application, making it great for anyone who’s sensitive to smell.
A tried-and-true brand:
Efficiency: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 4/5 | Scent: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
This one definitely smells like a cleaning product, but not in an overpowering way. It also has a hint of citrus that’s subtle, but pleasant.
On the first pass, we sprayed it into a microfiber cloth then scrubbed the tiles. Similar to other cleaners, this initial pass only removed any loose particles that lingered on the surface.
For the next four rounds, we sprayed it directly onto the floor, let it sit for three minutes and continued to use the microfiber cloth to scrub away as much gunk as possible.
The difference between the first and the second rounds were noticeable, but we hit a plateau by round five. At that point, we noticed that the remaining flaws to the tile were structural (minor chipping) instead of cleanable, so we were overall pleased with how much of the caked-on stains this spray was able to remove.
Best to cover a wide area:
Efficiency: 3.5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Scent: 3.5/5 | Overall average score: 4/5
When we first sprayed this grout cleaner into a microfiber cloth then scrubbed the tile, it removed a good amount of gunk and made the tile look brighter almost immediately.
For the next few passes, we sprayed it directly onto the tile and let it sit for three minutes before scrubbing with either a cloth or brush. On the second pass (with a cloth), much more grime came off but there were diminishing by the third. This was when we opted to switch to the brush for two more rounds and found that that really did the trick.
My husband enjoyed that the sprayer is a mister and covers a wide surface, meaning you have to spray it fewer times overall. For each pass, he sprayed the tile two to three times.
The scent can best be described as clean (even though the brand says it’s unscented). It wasn’t bad, but wasn’t amazing either. We were neutral about it, which is how we landed at a 3.5 for that category.
Best non-spray option:
Efficiency: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 3/5 | Scent: 4/5 | Overall average score: 3.83/5
The first thing we noticed about this product was its scent. While the brand says it’s unscented, it definitely has a scent (one that reminded my husband of Necco Wafers). It’s not offensive, but we still took off a point since you may be expecting an unscented experience when you buy it.
Out of all the products we used, this product frustrated my husband the most in terms of application. It’s not a spray bottle like most of the grout cleaners you’ll find on the market. Instead, it has a microscopic hole in the center of the top that dispenses the liquid. Since you can easily pour out more product than you intended to with this type of bottle, he found it difficult to use.
On the first pass, we poured the product into a microfiber cloth and started scrubbing the tile. It didn’t really take much off, so for the next few passes, we poured it directly on the tile next and let it sit for three minutes. On the second pass, there was a noticeable difference in the brightness of the tile.
For the third pass, we poured out more product, this time directly on the tile, to see if that would make a difference. After scrubbing, we noticed more gunk coming off and the tile being even shinier.
For the fourth and fifth passes, we switched over to the brush and it was clear by how much gunk immediately came up that this would’ve been the best course of option the whole time instead of fighting with a microfiber cloth.
No matter the method, it was all worth it because, by the end, we were satisfied with how clean the tile was.
Frequently asked questions
Knowing what to avoid while shopping for grout cleaners is just as important as knowing what to look for. Here's what the pros recommend steering clear of:
- Undiluted white vinegar or citrus-based cleaners on standard cement-based grouts. “Both are commonly promoted as natural solutions but both continuously degrade the grout structure and are incompatible with natural stone tile surfaces,” Cruz says.
- Chlorine bleach is known as a heavy-duty cleaner, but Cruz says it “degrades sealers and fades colors from colored grouts if used repeatedly.”
- Abrasive scouring powders since they “scratch tile surfaces and create additional porosity in already porous grout,” notes Cruz.
- Abrasive tools like metal brushes because they can wear away grout over time, Zapata tells us. "A stiff nylon grout brush provides plenty of scrubbing power without being overly aggressive.”
Whether you’re cleaning your bathroom floors on a weekly basis or you’re preparing to do a long overdue deep clean, the pros have a few tips for effectively cleaning grout.
- Let the product sit for a while: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is spraying a cleaner on the grout and immediately scrubbing it. Most grout cleaners work much better if you allow them to dwell for several minutes according to the manufacturer’s directions before scrubbing,” Zapata says.
- Prep the floor before cleaning it: “Always vacuum or sweep bathroom floors first. If you start by cleaning a wet and dusty floor, you may turn that loose dirt into muddy residue, leading it straight into the grout,” Sokolowski says.
- Use the right tools: “Use a stiff-bristled nylon brush or old toothbrush to scrub. Don’t use metal brushes or sponges,” Cruz advises. “Drill brushes attached to drills will cover larger floor areas faster and deliver more consistent force into the grout lines than hand brushes will.”
- Test the product in a small area first: “When you have your cleaning product of choice, test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it’s safe for the floor. The area behind the toilet is a great spot to test. It’s a nice little space most people will never see,” Knoll says.
- Take it slow: “Clean one section at a time instead of trying to treat an entire floor at once so the cleaner doesn’t evaporate while you’re trying to scrub it,” Cruz suggests.
- Rinse the floor after cleaning: “Always flush the area thoroughly after cleaning since remaining residue from cleaning products will attract new dirt faster than clean grout will,” Cruz says.
- Consider going DIY: For more stubborn marks, Sokolowski suggests making a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. “Make sure first to double check that your bathroom surface is compatible with the paste before applying it to the grout,” she notes.
- Consider steam cleaning: “If the flooring manufacturer approves it, steam cleaning can also be an excellent way to loosen soap scum and grime without relying solely on stronger chemicals,” Zapata says.
If you can avoid caked-on grout stains in the first place, it makes routine cleaning much easier. With that in mind, the pros we spoke with say the first step in grout maintenance is a good grout sealer.
“Grout is naturally porous, so if it isn’t sealed, or the sealer has worn away, it absorbs moisture, dirt and stains much more easily. Resealing it periodically can make a huge difference in how easy it is to keep clean,” Zapata says.
Cruz suggests applying a new coat of sealer to newly installed grouted tile immediately after it cures and reapplying sealer every 12 to 24 months on typical bathroom floors.
Not sure if your grout needs new sealer? “Run a few drops of water along a seam in the grout. If it forms droplets, the sealer is working. If it immediately runs into the grout, it needs to be sealed again,” Cruz says.
“Any leaks that happen, fix as much as you can. Use bathroom mats and wash them regularly, and don’t leave damp towels on the floor,” Knoll advises.
"The amount of time a stain has been there doesn't necessarily mean it is permanent," says Sokolowski. "In reality, determining if a stain is permanent is dependent on what caused it, how deeply it has soaked in and whether or not the grout is still in good condition."
Normally, residue from soap, dirt and mineral buildup can be easily removed “as long as the correct cleaner is used along with some gentle scrubbing... However, other substances like hair dye, oils, rust or mold-related discoloration may be more difficult to remove,” Sokolowski adds.
According to Cruz, rust stains are among the hardest stains to remove from grout since they “bind themselves heavily to porous grout material” and require an “acid-based rust removal formula especially designed for tile use.” In other words, regular cleaners and bleach won’t affect them.
Mold that has been growing in unsealed grout for a longer period of time is usually the next toughest stain to remove. “Surface mold will respond well to oxygen bleach application, whereas mold that has grown its roots throughout the pore structure of the grout will grow back rapidly after each cleaning attempt because its underlying root system remains intact. The only total solution is removal and re-grouting in that situation,” Cruz says.
Zapata adds that many homeowners think grout is dirty when it’s actually damaged. “If the grout is permanently stained, deteriorating or cracked, or if mold or mildew has penetrated damaged grout, there comes a point where cleaning alone won’t restore it. That’s when re-grouting or repairing the grout may be the best solution,” she says.
How we tested grout cleaners
We tested eight total grout cleaners, scoring them on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) in the following categories:
- Efficiency: How well did it get the job done? Did we need multiple passes? Did we need a different product to finish the cleaning process?
- Ease of use: If it was a spray, did it come out easily? Did the packaging leak? For other forms, did it require any additional steps?
- Scent: Was there any scent at all? If there was a scent, was it overpowering or unpleasant?
We separated the bathroom floor into sections with painter’s tape so each cleaner had its own dedicated area. It’s worth noting that the painter’s tape made it difficult to clean the entire square in some instances, so there were some residual stains in the areas closest to the tape.
We started by spraying each of the cleaners into a microfiber cloth then wiping the floor that way before moving on to spraying the cleaner directly on the floor. To scrub the grout, we used both microfiber towels and cleaning brushes.
Since a few of the products contained bleach, we tested those on separate days to avoid mixing fumes and creating a dangerous chemical reaction in the air. Checking the ingredients in each of the products was key to this process.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Chrissy Callahan has been writing for Shop TODAY since 2017 and has covered a wide range of topics ranging from how to remove deodorant stains from clothes to the best kitchen trash bags and the best kitchen degreasers for our Ranked series.
Meet the experts
- Renata Cruz is a cleaning expert at Coastal Maid San Diego.
- Ryan Knoll is the founder of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning company in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.
- Alicia Sokolowski is the president and co-CEO of AspenClean, a company that provides all-natural, chemical-free cleaning services.
- Kellsie Zapata is the owner of Zapata’s Cleaning Services based in Thomasville, Georgia. She has previously spoken to Shop TODAY about the best dusters, multipurpose cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and more.
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