This $7 Grout Cleaner Is All Over TikTok—Here’s Why
Updated: Aug. 01, 2023
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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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. Yes, you read that right: In 21 seconds, the grout goes from grimy brown to bright white.
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 ends up catching 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 cut down on your cleaning time significantly. 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 not only remain intact—they’ll also look sharper and sparklier, too.
How does it work?
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. All you have to do is 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 that you may not have even known it actually 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, too, you should never mix these cleaning products together.
What can it 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, like marble, terrazzo, natural stone, chrome, stainless steel, brass, or Corian because it can damage them. And 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 whenever you use 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—using the wrong cleaning product for the wrong type of grime is a common bathroom-cleaning mistake. It also won’t have much of an effect on hard water stains, but here’s a complete guide on how to remove those tricky spots.
People are obsessed with 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
Home Depot typically has Zep in stock, and Amazon is also a reliable option. Though as more people hear about its magic, that may not always be the case, so stock up now! While you’re in a cleaning sort of mood, take a look at the most trusted cleaning products in America before you check out.
Next, learn about another cleaning product we love: The Scrub Daddy sponge.
Originally Published: September 28, 2021
