The Best Cleaner For Making Your Grout And Tile Shine, According To Consumer Reports

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Keeping your tile and grout looking bright and new can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. It's particularly challenging in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture, dirt, and mildew accumulate over time. You'll want to ensure you avoid the worst tile and grout cleaners and methods when cleaning. While Consumer Reports doesn't endorse a single universal product for every situation, its evaluations and expert cleaning guidance can help narrow down the top-performing cleaners and strategies to make your particular grout and tile shine. Across all of the reviews and examinations, the Cleen-eez Grout-eez Tile Cleaner stood out as the most efficient for cleaning both your grout and the tiles themselves, a solid choice when your shower needs some real TLC.

In looking for the best grout cleaner specifically, Consumer Reports identified Cleen-eez Grout-eez Tile Cleaner as having deep cleaning power, durability, and the ability to restore the appearance of both your grout and tile. They even went so far as to say it "will also make your tiles sparkle." It's safe for use on ceramic and porcelain tile surfaces, and has a direct spray application so you can precisely target a specific area. Users of the product have noticed an immediate change in how grimy and stained their grout and tile was before and after. They have also noted that the smell is not overpowering, but rather mild, which is ideal if you don't want to be overrun by scents. While an easy way to clean grout and tile is by using a steam cleaner, sometimes there is discoloration, staining or buildup that needs a little more elbow grease, and using this product is an excellent solution for the job.

When cleaning your grout, it's a good idea to let the product sit for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer — about five to 10 minutes for Grout-eez. You might also want to invest in a firm grout brush or spin scrubber to make removing grime easier. Affordable brushes such as this All-Natural Grout Brush Set can improve your results, while power scrubbers will help in removing strain when cleaning larger areas. The Grout-eez has a 2-Bottle Kit with a Free Stand Up Grout Brush so you don't have to bend over when scrubbing. Just don't make the grout cleaning mistake of scrubbing too hard and dissolving your grout. Be sure to rinse off the cleaner with water to avoid any residue buildup from the product. Once the grout is clean, it can also be helpful to apply grout sealer as a preventative measure. The sealant helps keep your grout cleaner longer with a protective barrier to keep water and stains out.

One key takeaway from Consumer Report's evaluation of grout cleaners is the importance of checking product labels for surface safety, making sure the cleaner you choose is designed for your particular tile and grout material. Differing tile and grout materials may require more specific cleaners. For example, if you have tile with a natural stone finish, you may need a more pH-neutral cleaner for these delicate surfaces, such as the Miracle Sealants Tile & Stone Cleaner. Also, if you're looking for a more eco-friendly solution, The Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner is a high-ranking cleaner that's Safer Choice Certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.