The best grout cleaners will help to keep your bathroom and kitchen tiles looking fresher than ever, and while it's not the most thrilling of household tasks, giving your tiles a spring clean can be transformational.
Dirty grout is unhygienic and can ruin the look of a room, and removing dirt, grime and mildew will make you remember why you loved your bathroom and kitchen tiles to begin with.
Cleaning grout is therefore an important job, even if you only do it every so often. And because finding the best formulation isn’t always easy, we’ve done the hard work for you.
These are the bests grout cleaners which are easy to use and incredibly effective - giving you great results with minimal fuss.
(MORE: Renovating a bathroom)
Best Grout Cleaners
If you really don't like cleaning grout, and you're looking for a cleaner that lasts a long time, look no further than Everbuild Forever.
This cleaner comes in a pack of two 200ml bottles and contains a mould shield to provide long-lasting protecting against bacteria, mould and mildew. It's designed to cover approximately 20m2 of tiles.
It also features an antibacterial coating called SteriTouch which helps to fight off discolouration and restore dirty grout to a bright, white finish. It doesn't get rid of grime, however.
What's more, it's easy to use. Simply apply to the grout lines using the applicator, leave it to dry (which takes around an hour) and wipe away any excess residue with a damp cloth.
Buy the Everbuild Forever White Grout Reviver now .
While the UniBond Grout Reviver isn't specifically a grout cleaner, it is an excellent anti-mould product that serves as a great fix for covering up stubborn stains.
You can buy the reviver separately, but for a few more pounds it's worth buying the grout revival pen bundle. The UniBond pen helps to refresh and restore old grout on wall and floor tiles in bathrooms and kitchens. And buying the pen as part of the sponge pack means you get an in-built sponge applicator, making the product easier to apply.
It takes up to around an hour to see the results, and once it’s ready you’ll be left with a water-resistant, fresh white coat of grout. The UniBond pen is only suitable for use on fully glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles, however, and doesn’t get rid of grime.
Plus, from Amazon you can now buy the grout reviver in a bundle with bathroom sealant.
Buy the UniBond Grout Reviver Sponge Pack now.
The HG Grout Cleaner is an affordable product boasting some impressive credentials.
Using a powerful and buffered cleaning agent, this ready-to-use grout whitener will remove stubborn stains on your tiles and walls with minimal scrubbing - simply apply and scrub, wait a few minutes, and you’ll be left with restored, clean grout.
This is a great cleaner for regularly maintaining your grout, and its speedy results and ready-to-use formula makes it suitable for those with busy households.
A little goes a long way with this grout cleaner. Pro-Kleen’s grout cleaner is one of the more powerful models available, and with this 5L + 750ml deal you get a lot of bang for your buck.
It possesses a powerful concentration to help remove discolouration caused by mildew, mould and soap scum, making grout and tiles look brand new.
To use, simply spray and rinse off 10-15 minutes later. And it can be used regularly to reduce the need for regrouting.
Because it is so strong, however, be sure to ventilate the room in which you are working, and make sure wear gloves and other protective clothing as exposure can cause skin irritation.
Buy the Pro-Kleen Tile Grout Cleaner now .
Some grout cleaners are unable to tackle the stubborn grime or stains, but the LTP Grimex grout cleaner is a fantastic heavy duty solution to eliminate dirt, grime and old wax layers from all natural and artificial stone and tiles.
To use, dilute one part LTP Grimex in 10 parts warm water, then apply with a cloth or sponge before wiping off thoroughly. After just 5-10 minutes you should notice the reaction.
This isn’t a product that should be used for everyday cleaning of floors or walls that have been sealed, but you can use it to renovate surfaces including terracotta, slate, stone and marble. It also works on external driveways, patios and paths.
Buy the LTP Grimex - Heavy Duty Grime and Stain Remover now .
The All Stone Xtreme Cleaner boasts a high performance and concentrated high alkaline cleaner and degreaser which ensures a deep clean to grout joints.
It's suitable for removing ingrained dirt, grease and grime, and can also be used to clean neglected areas or areas subject to wear and tear.
To use, carefully apply the solution to a pre-wet surface with a sponge or a mop, allow to sit for 3-5 minutes for cleaning, then scrub with a brush, sponge or nylon pad. It can require hard brushing, but once applied it is very fast-acting.
Buy the All Stone Xtreme Clean now .
How to Choose the Best Grout Cleaner
Choosing grout cleaner for your home will depend on several factors, such as:
- The surfaces it can be used on
- What the product's specifications are
- How significant the dirt is in your grout
- How easy-to-use you need it to be.
Some cleaners are designed to specifically remove mould and mildew, but others are best suited to tackling grime. A lot of dirt can grow in our grout, so knowing which one is best for you, and the work surfaces you have, is important.
Applying grout cleaner can be a pain, there's no getting around it. It doesn’t always work first time, and heavy duty models - as effective as they are - can cause skin irritation if you’re not properly protected.
Make sure you know, therefore, how easy a product is to use before you buy, so that you’re not left uncertain before applying. What's more, be sure to read the instructions so that you know what to expect during the cleaning process.
How to Clean Your Grout
Before you use your grout cleaner for the first time, consider your own safety as well as the safety of anyone else in your house.
Follow these simple rules to ensure that you use your cleaner properly:
- Carefully read the instructions of your product before use
- Always wear protective clothing, including gloves and goggles
- Avoid scrubbing the cleaner into the grout too hard, which could dislodge the actual grout
- Use a small toothbrush, or similar brush, to clean any awkward areas
- Rinse the cleaned area thoroughly, using a shower head, for example
- Repeat the treatment, if necessary.
Jack is News Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating and strives to break the most relevant and beneficial stories for self builders and renovators. Having bought his first home in 2013, he and his wife have renovated almost every room and recently finished a garden renovation. Jack reports on all of the latest news that could affect your project.
