If there’s one thing you can do to visibly improve the look of your bathroom, it’s a surface-level clean. Whether it’s wiping down the mirror or cleaning the soap scum on your bathtub, even the smallest tasks can make a difference. Additionally, the grout in between the tiles on your bathroom floor, walls or even your kitchen backsplash could often use a thorough cleaning. If you’ve always wanted to know how to clean grout, but doubted that it was actually possible, you should know that with the right supplies, there’s a possibility of getting the dirt out of your grout.
To find the best way to clean grout, I spoke with multiple cleaning experts, including the founder of a cleaning site and a manager at a home cleaning services company.
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The best products for cleaning grout
All of the product recommendations below are either direct recommendations from our experts or have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown and I both tried out this grout cleaning solution from Zep and while the bleach smell is quite strong, we found that it works extremely well in cleaning and lightening the grout in our bathrooms. Since this is a liquid and not a spray, a little goes a long way With that said, I recommend using it with a scrub brush to get a more thorough clean and a pair of rubber cleaning gloves to prevent it from splashing on your hands. Also, since the scent is powerful, be sure to open a window and/or have a fan going while you clean to help it filter out more quickly.
Experts I spoke to also recommend using a grout sealant to give your grout a fresh start. As opposed to cleaning grout itself, this pen works similarly to White-Out, essentially sealing older soiled grout with a fresh strip of bright white coverage. It also dries quickly, doesn’t have a strong smell, according to the brand, and it’s simple to use — all you have to do is press down on the tip repeatedly to start using it.
This spray is ideal for cleaning grout and grime, including mold, mildew and soap scum, which often start to accumulate around your shower and bathtub. It’s safe to use on porcelain, ceramic tiles, natural stone like granite and fiberglass, according to the brand. The brand recommends spraying it directly on the surface and letting it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a sponge and doing a rinse after.
“When we moved into our house, one of our bathrooms had some pretty dingy grout,” says NBC Select weekend editor Bethany Heitman. “A few squirts of this cleaner and some gentle scrubbing and it looked brand new.” The set comes with two bottles of cleaner and a brush attachment that’s compatible with any broom pole, according to the brand. You can use this grout cleaner on white or colored grout and is safe for ceramic and porcelain tile, according to the brand. “I also appreciate that it doesn’t have an overwhelming scent,” says Heitman.
To use several of the products above to their fullest extent, you’ll need a good tool to get your grout clean, so it’s smart to start with a slender brush with stiff bristles. Grout is a porous material, so you have to use an abrasive tool to thoroughly clean it and get rid of dirt and grime. This set has two slim brushes — one large one and another small one for cleaning grout of different widths. This set is ideal for clearing out grout, but the small brush also has a wiper blade on the end for cleaning small crevices around your sink and tub.
This electric cleaning brush comes with a head specifically made for cleaning grout. The brush requires four AA batteries, which are included, and can scrub up to two times faster than manual scrubbing, according to the brand. In addition to cleaning grout, you can use this tool to get in cracks and crevices of appliances or to clean sneakers.
This popular multipurpose tool from Bissell works miracles on bathroom surfaces, especially dirty grout. It’s a steam cleaner that has a long pointy end to it so you can aim a powerful flow of steam directly onto your grout to lift up the dirt and grime. While it’s important to use a device like this with caution — the steam gets very hot and can lead to burns — it’s also extremely satisfying to see it in action. A newer version of the brand’s previous Steam Shot (which NBC Select staff members Rosalie Sparaco and Zoe Malin love), this new model is safe to use in family households, according to the brand, and it comes with multiple attachments including a scrub brush and an angled applicator.
How to clean grout, according to cleaning experts
There are a few different ways to clean grout. Our experts recommend using the following step-by-step guide:
Method 1: Use a commercial cleaner
- Spray or apply a cleaning solution, such as Zep Grout Cleaner and Brightener, Goo Gone Grout and Tile Cleaner or The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste, directly on the grout between the tiles on your floor or walls. Let the solution sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a thin stiff-bristle brush, such as Oxo Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, to scrub in between the tiles. It’s best if the brush is thin in shape so it can more thoroughly clean the crevices.
- Rinse off the cleaning solution and residue with a wet microfiber cloth or a handheld shower head (if cleaning grout in the shower). Thoroughly dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Repeat the process if necessary to begin seeing a difference.
- Finally, consider using a grout sealer, such as a Grout Pen White Tile Paint Marker, to coat the clean grout.
Method 2: Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
- Mix three parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide in a bowl until a paste forms. The baking soda is an abrasive and will help remove dirt and grime.
- Apply the paste along the grout, pressing it in as needed. Use a thin stiff-bristle brush to thoroughly scrub in between the tiles.
- Rinse with a wet microfiber cloth or a handheld shower head. Dry thoroughly.
- Repeat the process if necessary to begin seeing a difference.
- Finally, consider using a grout sealer, such as a Grout Pen White Tile Paint Marker, to coat the clean grout.
Method 3: Use a handheld steam cleaner
- In addition to cleaning solutions, you can use cleaning appliances, such as a handheld steam cleaner like the Dirt Devil Handheld Steam Cleaner. The heat from a steam cleaner can help raise stuck-on grime on the grout, making it easier to clean.
- Before using the steam cleaner, read and follow the instructions on the product manual carefully. Steam cleaners are effective appliances, but are potentially dangerous if used improperly.
- With the steam cleaner’s thin nozzle attached, point the steam cleaner at the grout and blast the steam all around the tiles, going over the same spots a few times.
- Rinse the tiles and grout with a wet microfiber cloth or a handheld shower head and wipe dry as needed.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Melissa Maker is the founder of cleaning site Clean My Space and author of Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster, and Loving Your Home Every Day.
- Jennifer Rodriguez is the chief hygiene officer at home cleaning services company ProHousekeepers.
- Courtney Walsh is a cleaning expert at home cleaning services company Homeaglow.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, who regularly reports on cleaning related content and interviews cleaning experts. I’ve covered topics such as how to clean a mattress and window air conditioner.
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