Best Grout Cleaner for Tile: Transform Dirty Grout for Just $1.25

/Updated /35 Comments/in , , , /by Mary Hunt

Are you frustrated with stubborn, dirty grout that never seems to come clean? I was too, until I rediscovered a hidden gem in my cleaning arsenal—LA’s Totally Awesome cleaner. This powerful solution costs only $1.25 and works wonders on tile grout without harsh chemicals.

grout cleaner for tile yellow rubber glove toothbrush

The Grout Cleaning Struggle is Real

Dingy, dirty tile grout. It’s a vexing problem. I know. I have a lot of tile and grout in my home, all of it white or light-colored grout. No matter how diligent I am to clean it, that grout appears hopelessly stained. It is a problem for me. And for my readers, it’s up in the questions I am often asked.

Rediscovering the Best Grout Cleaner for Tile

One Saturday, at least 20 years ago the doorbell rang (how weird that I remember this so clearly). There stood a young man bursting with enthusiasm. He held a bottle of his “miracle cleaner” moving right into demonstration mode to prove just how awesome it was.

Like some kind of whirling dervish, he sprayed the door frame, wiping it clean to show me all the dirt on the cloth. He sprayed the welcome mat and the mailbox. He went to work on the steps and before I knew what was happening, he walked right into the house, ready to clean everything in sight.

I looked at what he was holding; sure enough, it was awesome. That was the name of it! Awesome.

I bought a 16 oz. bottle on the spot for way-too-much-money for one reason: To get him to stop talking and leave before I became rude and insulting.

He was so annoying, but trying so hard to be successful, I just couldn’t discourage his spirit. So I paid the guy and ended up with a bottle of his snake oil, which I suspected was nothing more than colored water.

I put that bottle on a shelf in the laundry room and completely forgot about it. Until now.

The Magic of LA’s Totally Awesome

You know how it goes—you read countless Amazon reviews hoping to find that miracle cleaner, only to end up more confused than when you started. That’s where I found myself, lost in a sea of mixed reviews. But one review caught my eye. This reviewer, frustrated by the high price and lackluster results of a popular grout cleaner, decided to try something different. She reached for an old bottle of LA’s Totally Awesome she had on hand and used it to clean tile grout.

She wrote, “I sprayed it full strength on the grout, waited five minutes, scrubbed it with a brush, wiped it away, and rinsed with water. The dirt just disappeared!”

It was a lightbulb moment for me. LA’s Totally Awesome! That long-forgotten bottle from the overzealous salesman all those years ago. What were the chances I still had it? I rummaged through my cleaning supplies and, sure enough, there it was—my very own bottle of Awesome, just waiting to work its magic.

I have no recollection of packing and moving it from California to Colorado, but apparently I did because well, here it is. I couldn’t wait to give this 20-year old $20 bottle of cleaner a try.

awesome all purpose cleaner then and now grout cleaner for tile

I took a picture of a new grout test area—white porcelain tile with supposed-to-be-white grout. I sprayed Awesome on the dark dirty-looking grout, waited 5 minutes, scrubbed it with a stiff brush, wiped it off with microfiber, and rinsed the area with water. Wow!

tile floor before and after cleaning the grout

I’ll let these before and after photos speak for themselves, taken by me, a very terrible photographer. Rather than the shadows and off color-balance, pay attention to the contrast between “before” and “after” grout lines.

How to Clean Tile Grout with LA’s Totally Awesome

  1. Preparation: Gather your supplies—LA’s Totally Awesome cleaner, a stiff brush, microfiber cloths, and water.
  2. Application: Spray LA’s Totally Awesome cleaner full strength directly onto the grout.
  3. Wait Time: Allow the cleaner to sit for about 5 minutes to break down the dirt and grime.
  4. Scrubbing: Use a stiff brush to scrub the grout lines, focusing on the heavily stained areas.
  5. Wiping: Wipe away the loosened dirt with a microfiber cloth.
  6. Rinsing: Rinse the area with water to remove any remaining cleaner and dirt.

Tips for Best Results with This Inexpensive Grout Cleaner

  • Dilution: The labeling suggests diluting Awesome 5:1 (five parts water to one part Awesome) for cleaning grout. However, I use it full strength for tough stains.
  • Ventilation: Awesome has a strong fragrance. If you are sensitive, wear a mask or open a window; turn on a fan.
  • Repeat if Necessary: Some areas might require a second cleaning for best results.
  • Test Area: Always test a small area first to ensure compatibility with your tile and grout.

Where to Buy LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaner

Product Image - La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner, 64 oz grout cleaner for tile

LA’s Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner, 64 oz

If you’re wondering where to get your hands on LA’s Totally Awesome grout cleaner for tile, I’ve got you covered. This powerhouse cleaner is widely available, making it super easy to find. You can pick it up at Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Home Depot, and a bunch of grocery chains like Superior Grocers, Northgate Market, Food4Less, and Unified Grocers. It’s a staple in nearly every dollar store across the country! And if you prefer shopping from the comfort of your home, LA’s Totally Awesome is also conveniently available online.

I was so eager to see if my local Dollar Tree carried it, I couldn’t get there fast enough. Sure enough, I found LA’s Totally Awesome All-Purpose Concentrated Cleaner, Degreaser, and Spot Remover in the 20 oz. size for just $1. Yes, you read that right. One dollar!

More recently, I walked into Family Dollar expecting the price to have shot up with everything else getting more expensive. But I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of a steep increase, it was priced at a very reasonable $1.25. A mere 25-cent bump in 20 years? Now that’s what I call awesome.

LA's Totally Awesome in 20 oz and 64 oz. size grout cleaner for tile

Just a heads up, while LA’s Totally Awesome Concentrated Cleaner Degreaser and Spot Remover is available on Amazon, it tends to be a bit pricier there. So, for the best deal, stick to the dollar stores.

La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner, 64 oz
La's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner, 64 oz
    Buy on Amazon

    Perfect stiff brush for grout

    Product Image - OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, Blue grout cleaner for tile

    OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, Blue

    If you’re tackling grout cleaning, you need the right tools, and the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set is my top pick. A friend gifted me this handy brush set years ago, and I’ve been a loyal fan ever since. I even bought another set to keep around, and they make great gifts too!

    These brushes are perfect for grout cleaning and every other household crack and crevice. They’re sturdy, effective, and designed to reach those tough spots that other brushes can’t.

    OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, Blue
    OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, Blue
      $9.99
      Buy on Amazon

      Final Thoughts on This $1.25 Grout Cleaner for Tile

      I can’t predict nor guarantee what your results might be should you decide to give Awesome a try. The bathroom where I tested turned out fabulous results (see above). But my laundry room? The first attempt showed only slight improvement. It took a second cleaning to bring it back to like-new.

      In the meantime, I’m testing Awesome on everything washable, as promised right there on the bottle. Maybe even the front door frame and welcome mat. This stuff really is … Awesome!

       

      Question: What’s your biggest cleaning challenge at home? Have you found any miracle products that you’d recommend?

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      35 replies
      1. Lynn Elston says:

        WOW!!! Fabulous. Tip. We just bought a house that hasn’t been cleaned for about 30 years. I was going to hire someone to clean the tile and grout, but I think I’m going to cancel them and invest $10 in AWESOME and a stiff brush

        Thank you!!

        Reply
      2. Amy says:

        So, this seems to be for shower tile grout. Any ideas on regular house floor tile grout – like in the kitchen or living room? I tried it on a bit of what I have and it didn’t seem to do the job.

        Reply
      3. Sheri B. says:

        WOW, I forgot about it but I did buy some.
        I just used it and waited 5 mins and it worked like a charm!
        Thank you Mary for reminding us!

        Reply
      5. Jodi White says:

        I just found your site today in my quest to find non bleach alternatives to cleaning since we now have septic system instead of city waste system. I am learning so much & love that your effective tips are also bargains!
        Thank you so much

        Reply
      6. Rose says:

        I bought the Awesome cleaner at Dollar Tree yesterday (1-20-23) and didn’t notice until the next day that it doesn’t say concentrate (already in a spray bottle) AND it says “with bleach”. It is disappointing that I got the wrong thing, but I”m sure it will be useful. I’ll keep looking for the product you wrote about. Thanks for all the great info!

        Reply
      7. Sandra C Wegmann says:

        There is an easier way to clean the grout on floors. I use Awesome, also, but I spray it on and scrub the grout with a long handled grout brush – then I go over the area with my Bissell vaccum that sprays water and sucks up the dirt on the floor. Just enough water to loosen up the dirty stuff in the grout and the vacuum feature, pulls up the dirty water for an almost dry floor. It works pretty well. I have light tile and grout from front door to back door on the main floor of the house and the grout in the traffic areas needs to be done about once a year!

        Reply
      8. Kaki says:

        I’ve used Awesome for years so I’m glad to read it works on grout! The thing I’ve used it for is lamps that use lamp oil. The oil was getting stuck to the bottom of the lamp and I couldn’t get it out of the lamp. I poured Awesome in the lamp and it dissolved it immediately!

        Reply
      10. Jennifer Tregembo says:

        Awesome is awesome! I cleaned out the home of relatives who had lived there for 50 years. I used diluted Awesome to clean grime off 30 year old oak kitchen cabinets before using Old English on them. The handles were dirty so I wanted to replace them. Unfortunately the wood had changed color over the years so the large imprint was visible even after I cleaned the cupboards. I soaked the handles in full strength Awesome and they came out looking like new. I met the mom of the new owners and she said how happy she was that the kitchen wasn’t old and didn’t need any work. Awesome!

        Reply
      11. robert says:

        I’ve been using it for several years. I’ll have to try the grout! It is amazing on nicotine covered items. my Mom was a very heavy smoker. When she passed I was left with the cleaning. Glass, cereamic, wood, appliances just sprayed it on and rinsed. Nicotine just washed away. I have gallons of this now I use it when cleaning rental properties too.

        Reply
      14. Janet says:

        Can you recommend a good brush to use? Years ago I purchased one that looked like a toothbrush but was much stiffer and lasted a long time. I can never find one that is stiff enough to hold up to extended scrubbing and compact enough to hit tight crevices. Love your articles, thanks for sharing the wisdom!

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          Yes! A friend gave me this set years ago. Oxo Cleaning Brush Set Since then I’ve purchased another so I can keep them handy and have also given them as gifts, myself. Perfect or grout cleaning, and every other household crack and crevice.

          Reply
          • Jeannie says:

            I tried to get stains out of bathroom floor grout a while back and noticed that the vigorous scrubbing seemed to actually remove some of the grout (and the stains are still there). Does grout need to be sealed to use the brush you are recommending? (I don’t know if mine is sealed or not). Thoughts on this, Mary? Thanks for all you do, I love and appreciate your work!

          • Mary Hunt says:

            If scrubbing removes your grout, it’s time to replace the grout. I can’t be sure but sounds like the grout has not been resealed properly (at least annually) and over time it has deteriorated. Search “how to remove grout” online to find the tools and technique you’ll need to do that. Then make sure your new grout is applied well, and that you use a good sealer (home improvement store), clean it regularly with non-harsh cleaner and reseal at least once a year. Six months is better.

      15. Jenni says:

        I went to Dollar Tree yesterday and brought some LA’s Awesome home and put it in a spray bottle. I took the grout brush to the shower. I didn’t wait five minutes and I wasn’t choking on fumes. Instant gratification! I’d tried Chlorox cleaners, but with no success. The shower has been ugly since we bought the house… Thanks so much, AGAIN, Mary! I will be spreading the word on this stuff. It has a strong smell, but didn’t seem to have “fumes”, if that makes sense. I’m so happy!

        Reply
      16. Nana Mary says:

        Awesome is Great! Been using it for years. I too cough when I use it or Fantastic, or Clorox Cleanup with bleach, I am sure it is an allergic reaction with me so I use a mask and gloves and well ventilate.

        Reply
      17. Mary Hunt says:

        Perhaps you are allergic? Of course you need to be especially careful if you believe this presents a problem for you!

        However for general use I would refer others to Section 8: Special Proection Information of the product’s MSDS states:

        Section 8: Special Protection Information

        Respiratory Protection: No special requirements under normal use conditions
        Ventilation: No special requirements
        Protective Gloves: No special requirements under normal use conditions
        Eye Protection: No special requirements under normal use conditions
        Other Protective Measures: No special requirements

        Effects of Acute Exposure:

        Eye: May cause mild eye irritation
        Skin: Prolonged or repeated contact may cause irritation
        Inhalation: None known
        Ingestion: None known

        Reply
      19. Roberta says:

        No matter what I’ve tried my shower grout keeps getting grungier. So when I read this post I rushed to the nearest Family Dollar store and there it was for 99 cents. When I got home I noticed in very tiny print dilution ratios depending upon what you are cleaning. Tile grout says 5%. So did you spray directly from this spray bottle or did you dilute it before using it? Thanks.

        Reply
      20. Nancy says:

        I bought this product several years ago at Dollar Tree. I have been using it in the laundry room to spray spots on clothes and around my husband’s collars as a pre-wash. It works well.

        Reply
      21. Judy says:

        I’ve seen this at the Dollar Store and was once told by an employee of one that it is indeed truly an awesome product but never tried it. I’m going to get some today. I’m curious what is in it? A secret ingredient list? Or do you have a hunch based on your wide experience of cleaning products?

        Thanks Mary, you are “awesome” also!

        Reply
      22. Gina Stevens says:

        Funny! I think I got the same guy at my door decades ago. Like a street magician, he cleaned the lime deposits off my pool tile with some magic elixir! I’ll have to check the Dollar Tree. I’m sure I can find something to clean.

        Reply

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