
Buying Guide for Grout Brushes

Why buy a grout brush?
Using grout is a wonderful way to lock water out of tiles and give your home’s surfaces a clean look. However, when grout begins to yellow (or become moldy), giving it a thorough cleaning is absolutely necessary. A great grout brush paired with a good cleaner can simplify this process (not to mention less time-consuming) by efficiently scrubbing away grime for a clean, finished appearance. Some grout brushes can even make cleaning grout easier on your body, thanks to intelligent designs that limit bodily strain.
What should you look for in a grout brush?
- Ease of Use: How much effort you will need to put in to clean your grout will depend on several factors. First, you want your tool to have firm bristles that effectively clean without scratching surfaces. Secondly, look for products with designs that will make your life easier. For instance, a compact, narrow grout brush will be much more efficient at detail work and cleaning corners than a larger grout brush.
- Durability: Cleaning grout can cause a lot of wear and tear, even on a basic grout brush, so you will want a tool that is durable enough for long-term use. Look for a product with firm, tough bristles and a solid handle. Grout brushes with adjustable handles can be easier to use depending on the application but are also easier to break if you aren’t careful while cleaning.
- Comfort: Cleaning grout can be tiring work, especially if you need to get on your hands and knees to do it. Luckily, there are some products out there with telescopic handles that allow you to keep a normal posture while cleaning your floor or wall grout. These grout brushes can be an excellent choice for those with mobility issues. An ergonomic design and cushioned handle will provide much-needed relief for heavy-duty cleaning sessions.
What kind of grout brush is suitable for heavy-duty jobs?
For heavy-duty applications (think years’ worth of mildew buildup), many turn to electric grout cleaning tools. While these can be incredibly effective, a high-quality grout brush can be just as handy. However, you’ll probably want to find a long brush covering plenty of space. You will also want it to have nice, firm bristles so that the brush does most of the work. Remember that using an effective cleaning agent can also help your grout brush work its magic and cut back on your time spent cleaning.
Our Picks for the Best Grout Brushes
OXO Good Grips Grout Brush
This budget-friendly grout brush sports an easy-to-grip design and is safe for use on all sorts of tile.
Pros: Featuring a sturdy, easy-to-grip handle and soft bristles that are gentle on tile but tough on grout scum, the OXO Good Grips Grout Brush is great for those who don’t mind getting up close and personal when cleaning their grout. This brush’s narrow, angled design is also excellent at cleaning narrow grout and hard-to-reach corners. While its soft bristles do require a little extra effort on the user’s end to achieve a deep cleaning, the bristles seem to hold up quite well over time if used properly.
Cons: Since this grout brush uses semi-soft bristles to get the job done, a little extra pressure is required to achieve optimal results. However, pressing down too hard over time will eventually damage the bristles. For this reason, it’s a good idea to allow the brush to do most of the work, even if it means extending your cleaning session for a few minutes.
Bottom Line: Thanks to its unique design and gentle-but-effective cleaning performance, this grout brush is a great option for various applications. It’s also the best budget-friendly grout brush on the market that easily justifies its price tag. That being said, those who want the job done fast may benefit from a brush with stiffer bristles.
OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
This grout brush set has firm, effective bristles that minimize the pressure needed for great results.
Pros: The highly-rated OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set comes with two grout brushes that stand out thanks to their firm and effective bristles. Not only can these brushes get to hard-to-reach crevices of your bathroom, but they also require much less scrubbing power to achieve a thorough cleaning of soap scum and even mildew stains. Additionally, the two size options afford you some versatility whether your grout is of the wide or narrow variety.
Cons: Although the rubber scraper on the small brush seems like a nice addition, it’s really not that useful at removing grime, especially when compared to the other end of the brush. Additionally, some have noted that the bristles will wear out fairly quickly if you apply too much pressure. Thankfully, the bristles are stiff enough to do most of the work for you.
Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for an affordable firm-bristled grout brush, this versatile two-for-one set leaves very little to be desired. While this set might not be the most efficient option for large, demanding jobs, it’s tailor-made for effective spot cleaning and easily getting into spaces where other brushes struggle.
Fox Trot Swivel Grout Brush with Long Handle
This telescopic grout cleaner brush is a versatile and adjustable tool for deep cleaning grout lines and removing grime buildup on floors and other hard-to-reach surfaces.
Pros: The telescopic grout cleaner brush is a highly effective and versatile cleaning tool designed to easily clean various surfaces, including grout lines, tile floors, walls, and baseboards, with its adjustable length, V-shaped bristles, and swivel head, while being tough on dirt yet gentle on surfaces and compatible with Fox Trot cleaners. Customers recommend this brush for its ability to make cleaning easier, less tiring, and more effective, especially for those with back or knee pain, and for its excellent results in cleaning grout and removing stains.
Cons: Drawbacks of this product include a flimsy or weak handle that may break easily, difficulty in keeping the handle in place while cleaning, and bristles that may fall out or bunch up.
Bottom Line: This grout brush with a long handle is ideal for cleaning grout and hard-to-reach areas on the floor. The adjustable handle and swivel head are convenient ways to make cleaning much easier.
Unger 2-in-1 Grout and Corner Scrubber Brush Tool
This brush tool boasts V-shaped bristles and a corner brush head for thorough cleaning, along with a True Grip handle for better control.
Pros: This brush is highly effective and can clean even the narrowest grout. In addition, it reduces the time and effort required for cleaning while providing better control and reducing back and neck strain. The brush is versatile and durable and is suitable not only for cleaning grout but also for various other cleaning tasks.
Cons: The bristles can be stiff, which may cause damage to the grout.
Bottom Line: The brush is effective in cleaning grout and reaching into corners, but the handle is awkward to hold and not ergonomic, and some customers have found the bristles to be stiff or wonky.
Holikme Drill Power Scrubber Brush
This is a versatile brush set that can clean various surfaces without scratching, including tight and hard-to-reach areas, and fits into most cordless drills.
Pros: This set can be used on various surfaces, including tile floors, showers, kitchen appliances, and car interiors. The brushes will save time and effort and work well with different cleaning solutions, such as baking soda, vinegar, and specialized products. In addition, the brushes are durable and easy to clean.
Cons: The brushes are not as sturdy as expected, and some have found the bristles to be too soft to be effective. In addition, the brushes may be be too small for certain cleaning tasks. The extension mechanism can also be too loose and difficult to control.
Bottom Line: This set works well on various surfaces, including floors, tiles, shower doors, and car upholstery. You will also appreciate the convenience of attaching the brushes to the drills for a faster and easier cleaning process.
Final Thoughts
Most people don’t enjoy cleaning grout. However, restoring your bathroom’s grout can actually be a quick and painless process with the right grout brush. Be sure to consider the quirks of your space as well as your unique needs to find the perfect grout brush for the job.