Quick Answer: How to Clean Tile and Grout Fast
The best-performing method in our six-product test used Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach or Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach:
- Apply: Run the cleaner along the grout lines.
- Scrub: Use a small grout brush with stiff polypropylene bristles.
- Dwell: Our test used an overnight soak, but always follow the product label’s maximum permitted contact time.
- Rinse: Thoroughly remove the residue with water and a sponge.
Curious why these two beat six other products? [View our full grout-cleaning experiment →] for before-and-after photos, the testing method, brush details, and complete results.
⚠️ Important Safety Note: This is an off-label use. Follow the current product label and manufacturer instructions, ventilate the area well, wear the specified protective equipment, never mix cleaning products, and test a small hidden area first. Do not use either product in a way that conflicts with its label.
Why I Started Obsessing Over Grout Cleaning (And What I Discovered)
I didn’t set out to become a grout cleaning expert. However, after years of managing rental properties—and inheriting more than a few bathrooms that looked like they hadn’t been properly cleaned since the Clinton administration—I quickly learned that grout is either your home’s best feature or its biggest liability. There is very little in between.
The transformation I saw after my first deep clean was honestly shocking. We’re talking decades of built-up grime, soap scum, and hard water deposits gone in a single afternoon. It changed the way I think about tile maintenance completely.
In the sections ahead, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned—including the methods that actually work, the tools worth buying, and yes, the controversial cleaning experiment involving a product you’d never expect to find near your bathroom tile.
Before attempting any grout-cleaning method, review the Safety Considerations section to ensure safe application and proper ventilation.
⚠️ Safety Considerations
Before using any cleaning product, read and follow the current product label. If you are using toilet bowl cleaner to clean tile or grout, remember that this is an off-label use. Do not proceed if the method conflicts with the product’s instructions.
- Read the product label and Safety Data Sheet completely.
- Follow the label’s directions, dilution instructions, and maximum permitted contact time. Never leave the product on longer than directed.
- Never use a product in a way that conflicts with its label.
- Ventilate the area well by opening windows and running fans.
- Wear the gloves, eye protection, and other protective equipment specified on the product label or Safety Data Sheet.
- Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach, ammonia, acids, or toilet bowl cleaners.
- Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration or damage.
- Keep children and pets away from the area while cleaning.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.
Why We Love This Grout-Cleaning Method
Over the past 15 years, Dave and I have moved many times and managed rental properties. We’ve had to turn over properties every few years, and that means a lot of tile and grout cleaning. Some of those bathrooms and kitchens came to us looking absolutely terrible.
I got tired of guessing which cleaner actually worked best, so I decided to test multiple products side-by-side on the same extremely dirty floor to see which one delivered the best results. The results completely surprised me.
The two clear winners weren’t the expensive “tile and grout cleaners” you see at every home improvement store. Instead, Clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach and Lysol toilet bowl cleaner with bleach cleaned the grout better than any other product I tested.
That test changed how I approach grout cleaning entirely. Now, instead of wasting time and money on a dozen different products, I go straight for what actually works. I’ve used this method on rental properties, in our own homes, and for friends who asked for help. Every time, I get the same result: dramatically cleaner grout, restored to nearly white, with way less effort than you’d expect.
(If you want to see the full play-by-play of that test—including the 4 products that failed—check out our full grout cleaner experiment here.)
Here’s a quick video showing some of my top tips, and the process I use for grout and tile cleaning…
Note: The methods described — including our test results—assume full compliance with the cleaning safety guidelines. See the Safety Considerations section for product-handling and ventilation requirements.
Tile and Grout Cleaning supply list
As far as grout and tile cleaning supplies, this is the slate of materials I use whenever I have one of these DIY projects to tackle at home…
- Cleaner Clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach or Lysol toilet bowl cleaner with bleach (the link will take you to the post where I detail our tile cleaner experiment—spoiler: toilet bowl cleaners are the clear winners)
- Grout cleaning brush (I’ve linked the one I use and love)
- bucket of water
- sponge
- open windows/fan(s)
- respirator mask
- rubber gloves
A note on gel vs. liquid cleaners: Gel cleaners stay on the grout line longer without running onto the tile surface. For vertical surfaces like shower walls, gel is almost always the better choice. Liquid cleaners work well on floor grout where they can pool and soak in naturally.
Review the Safety Considerations section for protective equipment requirements.
And now for the tips! Here (in no particular order) are my 9 best tips for grout and tile cleaning…
Top tips for tile and grout cleaning
All tips below assume compliance with the Safety Considerations guidelines. Refer back to that section if you have questions about contact times, ventilation, or protective measures.
- For a light grout, use a product with bleach (I haven’t tested this on a dark grout, so I can’t tell you for sure what the effects on dark grout would be)
- In order to prevent irreversible staining, clean your grout every few months in highly trafficked areas (showers, bathroom floors, kitchens)
- For heavily stained grout, our test used an overnight soak. Always follow the current product label’s maximum permitted contact time, and never leave the cleaner on the surface longer than the label allows.
- Use a good brush with strong, heavy-duty bristles (the one I like is linked in the supplies)
- Make sure you have adequate ventilation as you work! Keep windows and doors open, fans on as you clean and allow the product to soak in because the fumes will get strong
- If you hate cleaning grout (and who could blame you?) consider using a dark grout in your next remodel…it’s easier to maintain overall than a lighter color
- Just because a product says it’s a grout cleaner, doesn’t mean it necessarily works better!! Toilet cleaner beat out the more expensive “tile and grout” cleaner in our experiment by a landslide!
- Thicker cleaners/gels work better than thinner liquids and spray products. They will soak in better/stay put as they work and you can more easily see as you apply them so you can be sure you’re not missing any spots
- Don’t worry…blue toilet bowl cleaner did not stain our white grout at all! Phew! I was a little worried at the beginning, to be honest!
FAQs: Common Questions About Tile and Grout Cleaning
In our tested experiment, Clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach and Lysol toilet bowl cleaner with bleach outperformed all other products I tested. For the full breakdown—including which other 4 products didn’t work as well—see the complete grout cleaner test here.
Yes, but it’s an off-label use. I’ve tested it extensively and used it on our rental properties without damage, but test a small hidden area first. Follow the safety instruction above and test the cleaner in a small, hidden area first..
A small grout brush with stiff poly bristles works best. For the full details on brush types and why this one wins—check out our brush comparison in the experiment post.
Our test used an overnight soak for heavily stained grout. However, overnight soaking is not a general recommendation. Always follow the current product label’s maximum permitted contact time, and never leave the product on longer than the label allows. See the step-by-step method here.
Not in my experience, but always test in a hidden area first. The cleaner works on the grout, not the tile itself. Follow the precautions listed in the Safety Considerations section
For high-traffic areas like bathroom floors and showers, cleaning every few months helps prevent heavy buildup. For kitchen backsplashes and other areas, once or twice a year is usually enough.
For colored grout, test the cleaner in a hidden spot first. Bleach-based products can fade some colors. If you’re concerned, start with a shorter soak time.
Final Thoughts on Grout Cleaning
Ready to dive deeper? Check out our full grout cleaner experiment where I test 6 different products side-by-side, walk you through the exact step-by-step method, and show you the before-and-after photos that prove it works.
Remember: Always prioritize the guidance provided in the Safety Considerations section. Your safety and your home’s surfaces depend on following the product label’s directions and recommended precautions.
Happy cleaning! 🧹
And that wraps it up!
If you’re on the lookout for more home improvement ideas, other quick home hacks, or decorating inspiration, be sure to give these articles a look, too!
Pin these tile and grout cleaning tips for later! And if you use any of these tips, or have other grout cleaning tips you love, leave a comment either here or on the pin! It could help others as well!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a no-cost copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be emailed right away!
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