6 Best Grout Cleaners of 2026, Tested and Approved by Cleaning Experts
Bright white grout makes your whole bathroom sparkle.
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No matter the size or style of your bathroom, dingy grout can make even the nicest space feel tired and grimy. That’s where a good grout cleaner comes in. Some are made specifically for grout, while others double as multitaskers, tackling soap scum, hard water stains, and everyday buildup on tile surfaces. The right product can make cleaning faster and more effective, saving time and frustration.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test hundreds of cleaning products every year—including grout cleaners. In the past few months alone, we've tested eight new mildew removers and bathroom and grout cleaners. We evaluate them on ceramic and marble tiles in the Lab and usually send them home with staff and consumer testers to see how they perform on real-life messes, mold, and mildewy surfaces. We look at how well they remove stains, how easy they are to use, and how accurate the instructions are.
With the right cleaner, even the oldest, most stubborn grout lines can look like new—and make your whole bathroom feel instantly fresher.
Pros
- EPA Safer Choice Certified
- Works with minimal scrubbing
- Also removes soap scum and hard water stains
Cons
- Recommended only for white grout
CLR's cleaning products consistently impress in our GH Cleaning Lab tests. We recommend the brand's powerful rust remover and disposal cleaner, but this foaming bath cleaner was one of the first products we came to love from the brand because it performs so well on grout, tile, chrome, and other bathroom surfaces. We've even included it in our lists of the best shower cleaners and best bathroom cleaners, because of how well it removes soap scum and hard water stains.
All this cleaner needs is two to three minutes and a light scrub to work its magic on dirty grout and even tub caulking. In fact, you'll actually see the grout continue to whiten as it dries. One of our Cleaning Lab testers raved, "My shower grout was so bright and clean afterward, I couldn't stop admiring it."
CLR Brilliant Bath is EPA Safer Choice Certified, which means every ingredient in the formula has been evaluated by the EPA and deemed safer for consumers and the environment. But it's worth noting: While it's great at removing stains from white grout, the manufacturer does not recommend using it on colored grout to avoid removing the hue.
| Type | Foaming spray |
| Safe for use on | White grout, plastic, glass, chrome, ceramic, fiberglass, porcelain, sealed granite, and stainless steel |
| Wait time | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Scent | Fresh scent |
Pros
- Kills germs
- Cleans without scrubbing
Cons
- Can discolor fabrics and has a strong odor
While many cleaners can remove mildew stains from the surface of the grout, they may not be able to kill the mold and mildew spores that survive deeper, which can cause stains to return. This Mold and Mildew Remover from Tilex works with bleach to both whiten away stains and kill 99.9% of mold, mildew, and bacteria—in just five minutes.
It's easy to use: Just spray the grout, let the formula penetrate for a few minutes, and rinse. In most cases, there's no scrubbing needed. On the downside, like other household cleaners with bleach, this bathroom cleaner can discolor fabrics and has a strong bleach smell, which some might find bothersome.
Features at a Glance
| Type | Spray |
| Safe for use on | Glazed and unglazed ceramic tile, grout, vinyl, fiberglass, and plastic |
| Wait time | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Scent | Unscented (bleach scent) |
Pros
- Safe to use on natural stone
- Works on white and colored grout
- Comes with a grout brush
Cons
- May not be as effective on very dirty grout
Most traditional grout cleaners warn against use on natural stone surfaces like marble and granite—two popular choices for bathroom tiles and countertops. Granite Gold’s cleaner avoids harsh chemicals such as ammonia and acids, making it safe for natural stone and colored grout.
It comes with a handy grout brush, and in our tests, the pair worked well to freshen lightly soiled grout. That said, the gentler formula may struggle with very dirty grout, so if your tiles or trim are marble or other natural stone, staying on top of regular cleaning is key to preventing mold and mildew buildup. This grout cleaner is also safe for porcelain, ceramic, and glass tile, and can even be used on food-contact surfaces like tile countertops.
| Type | Spray |
| Safe for use on | Stone, ceramic, glass, and colored grout |
| Wait time | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Scent | Citrus |
Pros
- Safely cleans white and colored grout
- Pours on to deep clean between tiles
Cons
- Doesn't kill mold or mildew
Zep is a brand we’ve tested extensively in our Cleaning Lab—from oven cleaners to degreasers—and they’ve consistently performed well. The degreaser was even included in a previous GH Cleaning Awards. While we haven’t tested this specific grout cleaner ourselves, it has a loyal following, and its design and features suggest it lives up to the quality we’ve seen from other Zep products.
Unlike most grout cleaners, this acid-based formula is poured rather than sprayed, making it ideal for dirty grout between floor tiles or other flat, horizontal surfaces. It works in just three minutes and is safe for both white and colored grout. That said, it does not kill or remove mold or mildew.
| Type | Liquid |
| Safe for use on | White and colored grout |
| Wait time | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Scent | Unscented |
Pros
- Works quickly without scrubbing
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Has a noticeable bleach scent
This concentrated formula is for the toughest stains. It's strong enough to tackle black mold and deeply set mildew, working quickly to visibly brighten surfaces without any scrubbing. In the Lab, we were impressed by how stains seemed to melt away almost instantly, leaving the area looking refreshed with minimal effort.
Beyond the bathroom, this versatile cleaner is safe and effective on a wide range of indoor and outdoor surfaces, from concrete floors and brick walls to vinyl siding, wood, PVC, decks, and fences—essentially anywhere mold and mildew can take hold. On the downside, it does have a noticeable bleach scent, so it's worth keeping windows open if you're working indoors.
Features at a Glance
| Type | Spray |
| Safe for use on | Drywall, wood, fences, decks, vinyl siding, concrete floors, kitchen, bathroom tile and grout, brick walls |
| Wait time | Up to 5 minutes |
| Scent | Unscented (bleach scent) |
Pros
- Sturdy bristles
- Double-sided for better coverage
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- Some reviewers said the bristles were too stiff and thin
You can finally ditch the toothbrush and use a tool specifically designed for getting into the tight grout lines between tiles. With two sides of bristles and a triangular head, it makes it easy to clean vertically, horizontally, and into corner grout lines.
Though some shoppers call the bristles too stiff and thin, we loved that they don't bend under pressure. We also appreciated the handle's soft grip, which makes it comfortable to hold. In fact, one GH tester who has used this brush for several years says, "It's much sturdier than other grout brushes I've used, and the bristles don't bend easily." Pair this tool with your favorite grout-cleaning spray or gel to have your tiled walls and floors look like new again.
| Type | Brush |
| Safe for use on | Tile, grout, joints, and corners |
How we test tile grout cleaners
Bathroom and grout cleaners are evaluated in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and in real homes. In the Lab, our experts apply each formula to ceramic and marble tiles to assess how easily and quickly it works, how well it clings to vertical surfaces, how much scrubbing is required and whether the stated wait times are accurate. We also review labeling and directions for clarity, safety guidance and overall ease of use, including how simple each product is to apply and rinse.
To capture real-world performance, we supplement Lab data with home trials from staff and consumer testers. They use the cleaners on their own grout, complete a survey about cleaning power and ease of use and compare the product to what they normally rely on. Together, these Lab evaluations and in-home insights help us identify which formulas deliver the most noticeable results on grout.
What to consider when shopping for the best grout cleaner
✔️ Grout material and color: Read the label before buying any grout cleaner to be sure it's safe to use on the surfaces you'll be cleaning. Some are suited only for white grout—not colored—and others can damage adjoining tiles made of natural stone, like marble or granite.
✔️ Cleanser form: Sprays and foams are easy to apply but can run or drip off vertical surfaces before the job is done, meaning you may have to reapply. And some may produce fumes that can be irritating, especially when used in small spaces. Thick gels stay in place longer, but they can be harder to rinse away.
✔️ Scope of the job: Bleach is a great whitener and germ-killer, so if your grout is very badly stained with mold and mildew, a strong bleach-containing cleaner will be your best bet and will likely require the least amount of scrubbing. If you'll be cleaning dirty or discolored floor tile grout, or you're fastidious about drying the shower daily and have only occasional spots, a milder formula should suffice.
How to prevent mildew before it happens
Since mildew grows in warm, moist conditions, the best way to stop it is to keep surfaces as clean and dry as possible. Taking a few minutes to wipe tile walls and grout after showering can save hours of scrubbing. Here are a few more expert tips to keep in mind:
- Open a window and run an exhaust fan in the bathroom, if you have one, while showering. This will help the moisture produced from a shower dissipate faster.
- Squeegee shower walls, or dry them with a towel, after the last person in your household showers for the day to keep the grout dry.
- Keep grout sealed to prevent moisture and stains from penetrating the surface. We recommend resealing bathroom grout lines once per year for adequate protection.
How do I get my grout white again?
A spray or gel cleaner and a heavy-duty grout cleaning brush are often all you need to make grout look new again. But if you've tried store-bought grout cleaners and are still struggling with yellowing grout, try this DIY method from our cleaning experts:
Mix ¾ cup household bleach with 1 gallon of water (or 3 tablespoons of bleach per quart of water for a smaller cleaning job). Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, apply the mixture to the grout, taking care not to get it on any fabric or other materials. Allow it to sit for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse well. For pesky hard-to-clean corners, try dipping a cotton ball in bleach and pressing it into the corner. Let it set to bleach stains and re-wet the pad with more bleach as it dries.
If this bleach mixture doesn't seem to work, it might be time to call in the pros for a professional grout cleaning or to reapply, repair, and reseal your grout.
How often should you clean tile grout?
To avoid having to deep-clean your tile grout with the bleach mixture mentioned above, add it to your usual cleaning routine. Use a cleanser that requires little scrubbing about once a week, or whenever you notice your grout becoming a bit discolored. To help delay deep cleaning and keep floor and tile grout brighter for longer, follow these tips:
- Vacuum regularly and clean spills promptly.
- Remove outdoor shoes once indoors.
- Eliminate moisture and humidity.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, Carolyn Forté tests hundreds of cleaning appliances, products, and tools each year. Every product in this roundup was vetted, researched, or tested by Forté and her dedicated team of analysts and consumer testers. And with two bathrooms and several tile floors at home, she has lots of firsthand experience cleaning grout.
Contributing writer Brigitt Earley most recently updated this list with the latest top picks from the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, using guidance from Forte. She has more than 15 years of experience covering household products, including bathroom and grout cleaners.
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