If your grout is gross and you hate spending hours scrubbing your bathroom tiles, Zep Grout Cleaner just may change your life.
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This $7 Grout Cleaner Is All Over TikTok—Here’s Why
Updated on Nov. 26, 2024
Do you believe in magic? If not, you will soon. We’re about to introduce you to one of the best cleaning products that will tackle some of the germiest spots in your bathroom—and doesn’t require getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing for ages. Oh, and did we mention that it’s only $7? This unicorn product is Zep Grout Cleaner, which has gone viral on TikTok, where there’s a clip of it pulling a Houdini on discolored, dirty tiles in 21 seconds. You read that right: In 21 seconds, the grout goes from grimy brown to bright white.
“The Zep Grout Cleaner cleans with very little effort if you leave the product on for a few minutes, and the acid dissolves the limescale,” says Laura Christian, founder of All Star Cleaning.
As we all know, grout can get gross fast, and it’s a pain to clean. It’s generally light-colored and dips slightly between the tiles, so it catches all of the dirt. When it gets dirty, it hugely impacts how clean your house looks overall—and if you have guests coming over at the last minute, you don’t want to spend those precious minutes before they arrive breaking into a sweat as you desperately try to make your home look presentable. Instead, Zep can work its magic as you use these other tricks to clean your bathroom in five minutes or less. (Hint: You’ll also want these natural cleaning products and social media’s other favorite cleaner, The Pink Stuff.) So save your microfiber cloths and microfiber mops for another room: Zep grout cleaner is here to rock your tiles’ world.
What is Zep Grout Cleaner?
In short, it’s a miracle worker specifically made for cleaning grout and tiles that will significantly cut down on your cleaning time. A squirt of this gel will remove stains that have settled between tiles without heavy, down-on-your-hands-and-knees scrubbing. Even better, it’s a cleaner and a brightener, so if you have fancy, colorful tiles (lucky you!), the hues will remain intact and look sharper and sparklier.
Believe it or not, this professional-strength formula is bleach-free—its main active ingredients are urea hydrochloride and hydrochloric acid. These “strong but safe” acids incite a bubbling reaction when squeezed onto grout lines, immediately getting to work on lifting grime and muck from between the crevices. Squirt it on the problem spots and then wipe the goo off with a towel, grout brush, or toothbrush. (Add grout to the list of things you shouldn’t clean with a paper towel.) In seconds, your grout will be a shade you may not have even known it was. Rinse the area with water, and you’re done!
One safety note: Even though Zep is safe to use at home, it’s still a powerful cleaning product, so make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin. And FYI, if you’re cleaning the rest of your bathroom, you should never mix these cleaning products.
On Sale
Home Depot
Zep Grout Cleaner
If you have tile in your home that needs cleaning, Zep will make short work of it, blasting away the toughest dirt and grime even with just a single usage. The reviews don't lie; this grout cleaner works like magic.
Pros:
- Makes short work of even the toughest dirt and grime buildup
- Typically works with only one application
- Non-abrasive
Cons:
- Can't be used on surfaces other than tile
What can Zep Grout Cleaner clean?
Zep Grout Cleaner works wonders on white or colored grout lines on tile floors. That said, it shouldn’t be used on other surfaces. “A lot of other surfaces can also be damaged by acid, including some metal surfaces and natural stone surfaces,” adds Christian. Before you use it on your tile, test it in an inconspicuous place to see how your specific grout interacts with the formulation’s acid-base. (This is a smart thing to do when using a new cleaning product.)
Another important note: While Zep is mighty strong, it’s not formulated to erase mold, mildew, calcium, limescale, or rust, so don’t waste your energy. “Acid also has little effect on mold staining other than removing the grout itself […] so mold-stained grout would be cleaned more effectively with a bleach-based cleaner,” reports Christian. Using the wrong cleaning product for the wrong type of grime is a common bathroom cleaning mistake. It also won’t have much effect on hard water stains, but here’s a complete guide on removing those tricky spots.
Why You Should Trust Us
Kaitlin Clark is a beauty, wellness and home writer for Reader’s Digest with over 10 years of experience covering everything from the link between hair care and mental health to innovations in medical aesthetics and sunscreen safety. Her work has appeared in trusted publications, including InStyle, MSN, Yahoo, AOL, Allure and many more.
In writing this article, I consulted with Laura Christian, founder of All Star Cleaning. Her expert opinions and research have been featured in national publications, including Better Homes and Gardens and Good Morning America.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
FAQ
How long should you leave Zep grout cleaner on?
Zep only needs to sit for about two minutes before you can scrub it off to find your grout looking brand new.
Do I have to reseal my grout after using Zep grout cleaner?
Yes, you should reseal your grout after using Zep, as the main ingredients are acid-based and might remove the existing seal.
What are the side effects of exposure to Zep grout cleaner?
It is imperative to avoid getting Zep on your body. It can cause skin irritation and, if it gets in your eyes, has the potential to damage your vision or even cause blindness permanently.
What Users Have to Say About Zep
Still not convinced? Take a look at that viral TikTok video, and read the words of three very satisfied Amazon customers who gave it a five-star rating along with a glowing (pun intended) review.
Alexis Gilson: “Wow, wow, wow! I am blown away by the cleaning power in this stuff! I have struggled with my bathroom floors consistently for five years. Between the water and traffic, my floors have taken a serious beating. Coincidentally, I was on TikTok watching cleaning videos, and this was used. I figured, what the heck do I have to lose? Much to my surprise, it BLASTED through tough dirt and grime! I applied the cleaner…and boom, brand-spanking-new tile floor.”
Anonymous: “This product worked miracles in our bathroom. When we moved in, the grout was a dark gray from years of dirt buildup. This product was unbelievable. It only took one application to work its wonders. All-around incredible transformation!”
Simone Lofland: “If you don’t ‘get’ this product, you aren’t doing it right. My tile and grout look as amazing as the day they put it in 24 years ago! I’ve used several products trying to combat the disgusting grout, and absolutely nothing compares to Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener. We did the laundry room, bathroom, hallway, living room, and kitchen in under an hour. Some of the grout turned white without even scrubbing. I truly love this product!”
Where to buy Zep Grout Cleaner
On Sale
Home Depot
Zep Grout Cleaner
This exceptional grout cleaner that went viral on TikTok and has 4.3 stars from over 5,000 verified Amazon reviewers is one of the best cleaning products for tile. Best of all, it is entirely bleach-free.
Home Depot typically has Zep in stock, and Amazon is also a reliable option. However, as more people hear about its magic, that may not always be the case, so stock up now!
