Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener Review

I tried Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener and this is what I thought about it. Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener is a very good acidic, grout cleaner for restorative grout cleaning. I had never heard of this product before a couple of weeks ago but I’ve since found out it’s very similar to Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover which I’ve been using for many, many years. I’ve always had great success with the Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover so I expected the Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener to work at least as well and I was not disappointed.
The main ingredient in Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener is Urea Hydrochloride which is the strongest acid that we use in grout cleaning. As such it should only be used in the restorative cleaning of ceramic tile and grout. It should never be used on any kind of natural stone. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using cleaning products and always wear the proper personal protective equipment when using cleaning products.
Knowing how similar the Grout Cleaner & Brightener is to the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover I had an idea of what to expect going in. I knew that it would do at least as well as the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover but I was hoping that it might be even better. In the end, it lived up to my expectations. It did as good a job in the shower as the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover and while I was a little disappointed that it couldn't entirely remove a small rust stain, I know that the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover couldn't either. It did, however, do a better job in the kitchen than the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover.
Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener only has only obvious con that I can see and that is the price. It costs $10 for a quart whereas the Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover is $15 for a gallon and the gallon makes 2 gallons total which brings the cost down to $1.87 per quart.
But overall, I have to say that the product does what it says and when used in conjunction with a good alkaline cleaning solution will be a valuable asset in the restoration of ceramic tile and grout.
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#grout #groutcleaning #tileandgroutcleaning

[@tip6725]

I've always had good results with Zep products.

[@09ThunderOne]

Thanks for the tip on the Zep CLR. I will buy this next time.

[@aaronandraquel]

ZEP makes the best cleaners hands down

[@keeperz60]

Just bought a 1 quart bottle at Home Depot in Canada for $5.98. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

[@318android3]

Thanks for the video! Earned my subscribe. Curious, are products like Zep (acidic and alkaline) generally okay to use in a custom shower that has porcelain tile but is lined with a rubber liner? I just had house remodeled and just cautious as not to damage the rubber liner under the tiles. I honestly would assume so as many ppl have custom showers made as such but you never know.

[@mrdemocracy7106]

I use a homemade mix never fails. 1 part Surgical Spirit 1 part washing up liquid 2 parts water. Old strong toothbrush or similar rubbing brush Wash off & wipe clean. PERFECT 😊

[@Brobstcleaningservices]

I have used this on a few jobs. I think it is adequate at best. I did some grout that wasn’t cleaned for 20 years and it was night and day difference. I did two jobs that were cleaned more frequently that showed very little improvement. In fact I had to do part of the one floor twice. The process I did was the same as you. I applied the product, let it dwell a few minutes, scrubbed, extracted, and then went over it with an alkaline cleaner.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Did you use an alkaline cleaner before the acidic cleaner? Acids can't cut through grease and other organic matter so it's really important to get all of that off the floor with an alkaline solution before using an acid.

[@Natash_007]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro Why do we follow up with the acidic cleaner after alkaline cleaner? Why not just rinse and dry as normal after using alkaline cleaner? I've never heard of this before in all my years of pro cleaning and I'm very interested.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

@Natasha You could skip the acid step if you're satisfied with the results of the alkaline cleaning alone. But the acidic cleaner will remove stains that the alkaline cleaner can't.

[@Natash_007]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro Ok great thank you! Most of my clients have fancy stone showers, I'm always concerned about using acid based cleaners in them but it takes acid based cleaners to cut through soap scum. If I can bother you for one more question, what is your solution for this? Could I get away with rinsing with an alkaline cleaner like sal suds after using an acid cleaver like Zep Tub and tile? I don't want to damage my client's stone shower tiles but I also want the soap scum and mold OUT.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

That's not a good idea. An acidic cleaner like Zep Tub and tile will damage the stone instantly, before you could rinse it with anything. You never, ever want to use an acid on natural stone. StoneTech makes this product amzn.to/3HVlLx1 that removes soap scum but is safe for natural stone and Stone Pro has this one amzn.to/3HVkFBq that's great for removing hard water spots from stone.

[@savagestyle124]

im seriously impressed. most people don't look up the SDS on the products they use. Zep is pretty notorious for just relabeling the same chemical mixes, and there are commercial cleaners that work much better. having your grout professionally cleaned and sealed will always be cheaper over time and maintain your floors and showers.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

I tried to explain that in another video but some people want to do everything themselves. It's nothing I want for myself but if someone's idea of a good time is spending their weekend scrubbing their own grout I'm happy to pass on what I've learned from years of scrubbing other people's grout.

[@savagestyle124]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro Absolutely. i never fault a client when they want to diy. i always guide them to use the right technique and chems. its funny how i almost always end up with another call from them for service or someone they know that doesn't want to do it themselves.

[@Natash_007]

@@savagestyle124 Can I ask which commercial cleaner is your favorite for grout cleaning?

[@savagestyle124]

@@Natash_007 im a synergy product user so i have a prespray mix. but i will also use TMF groutmaster.

[@Natash_007]

@@savagestyle124 Thank you!

[@randyd9805]

I've been using that Zep grout cleaner and brightener for a while now and I give it 5 stars and 2 thumbs up. It's nice to know it's about the same as that other product though. I just like having it on the truck and so far it's been a great product. I would probably never have figured that it is basically the same as the other Zep product. Btw, when that product fails on rust stains I normally just use my rust stain remover for carpet and with a little scrubbing, it does the trick. That one must have been extra stubborn, but any customer would or at least should be well pleased with that job. I know, some of them are REALLY finicky. Also, I didn't hear you caution never to use either of those on natural stone. I actually use the Zep grout cleaner in an inconspicuous place like the inside of a closet to test if the floor is natural or manmade. If it fizzes on the surface you know it's natural and not to use that product.

[@MiguelBHart]

Can you do a video on the grout around the kitchen sink?

[@dakotascotto766]

Hi! What tool were you using at the end of this video to clean the grout and what product got all that dirt off? Was it the Zep? Thanks!

[@khayfer]

Thanks for the review! Do you recommend the Tineco wet dry vacuums? I am debating between that one or the hoover floormate

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

I haven't used one but it looks like they have a similar brush to the Bissell Crosswave so based on that alone I would recommend the Floormate. But I just ordered one so I'll let you know

[@cliftonsargent1572]

Do you have any videos on granite showers with sandless grout? Will this work? Do I have to have a vacuum? Can you just use a sponge to wipe it off with?

[@MonkeyBonkey]

Does mixing with a alkaline solution cause any toxic fumes? I think the warnings on the acid products say not to mix?

[@kevin-gf5uz]

At the hardware store they carry ZEP calcium lime and rust (CLR) and ZEP neutral PH floor cleaner. Should I use the neutral PH cleaner first and then CLR next and then do I need to use 409 to neutralize the acid in the CLR? Thanks for your great videos!

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

The neutral cleaner is for maintenance cleaning. The CLR is for restorative cleaning and should be used in conjunction with an alkaline cleaner like 409. You always clean with the alkaline cleaner first so that it can cut through any grease or oils. Otherwise the acid won’t be able to get through the organic material to get to the grout. Then, after the acid cleaning you clean it again with the alkaline cleaner. Zep makes an alkaline All-Purpose Cleaner too.

[@Anonymike365]

What alkaline cleaning solution do you recommend?

[@erika513x2]

I purchased this product after watching this video and let me tell your holy cow!! I used it on my bathroom floor, simply poured it on the grout, waited s few minutes and gave it a quick scrub. Amazing and worth every penny. The grout looks brand new.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Glad to hear it! Did you neutralize the acid afterward?

[@erika513x2]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro nope. Maybe I should..

[@rtimmins7212]

Thanks for your videos. All my tile in my home is Natural Slate . What would you recommend for grout in between Slate.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

You're welcome. I would use an alkaline cleaner like Formula 409 or something similar. In my last video I tried a bunch of different alkaline cleaners they all did a relatively good job. You want to avoid using acid on slate.

[@rtimmins7212]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro thank you, Love your Videos. I do have a Slate Cleaner that is Neutral but I was worried about using something with acid on the grout so close to slate. Thanks for the reply

[@veronicaalda6606]

I found your video very informative, thank you so much! I have a quick question, I know this video is one year old but I was wondering if anyone can reply, if I use an acidic product do I still need to use an alkaline if I steam clean?

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Yes, the grout needs to be returned to an alkaline state after an acid cleaning, so anytime you use an acid on grout, you need to chase it with an alkaline cleaner.

[@veronicaalda6606]

Thank you so much for the replay! Much appreciated

[@4zengrl]

QUESTION-I’ve watched a few of your grout cleaning videos and they are great-so much good info and well presented (thank you for not making your viewers sit through a lame, time-sucking intro!). But I’m EXHAUSTED😂! Unless you live in Las Vegas and I can hire you for a professional clean, how do I find a really good tile and grout cleaner? They last guy I used poo-pooed sealants, which I’ve learned from you is wrong. So who to trust to really know the process? I realize this might be impossible to answer-but thought I’d give it a try. 😏 (Thanks for the channel-I’m subscribed.!

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

This is a good place to start: iicrc.org/iicrcgloballocator/

[@kimberlindy]

I was going to hire a professional floor cleaner, but their website said something about not being responsible for grout damage. When do I need to worry about grout damage? Do I only need to worry about it if the grout is already broken?

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

There’s nothing in the cleaning process that should damage the grout if it’s not already compromised. If it’s cracked or broken and the cleaners come in with their high pressure extractor there is a chance that the grout will break loose but as long as the grout is in good condition there shouldn’t be a problem.

[@kimberlindy]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro thank you so much for the fast response!

[@kukumaku6498]

I go to dollar tree, buy Lyme Away for$1.25 and it cleans my grout like crazy

[@donnasparrow4]

What product do you recommend for neutralizing this after use

[@janem3575]

I was thinking the same thing. Gray bottle

[@donnasparrow4]

@@janem3575 let's see if he responds ???

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Any alkaline cleaner will work. I used 409 in this video but in my last video I discussed several different alkaline cleaners and went through the whole process of restorative grout cleaning step by step.

[@donnasparrow4]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro thank you thank you this was the first video of your that I have seen, will watch others

[@janem3575]

@@HowToCleanLikeAPro thank you. I'll have to look these products up, too. Often, not in Canada 😫. But I have seen the brand Zep

[@julianapatrick7451]

I need help with my floor not my shower

[@kategoldstone-zx9mo]

Alkaline

[@maryogie1941]

Zud could remove that rust stain. My housecleaning client has well water. and the shower tiles rust. Zud gets it out.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Never heard of it. I’ll check it out

[@jjaniero]

What about the instructions on the bottle to wear gloves and safety goggles? Are they not necessary?

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

Of course they’re necessary. That’s why it’s printed on the bottle

[@MrJoshcc600]

Just strait up buy hydrocloric acid or toilet bowel cleaner with sodium hydroxide.... If your professionally cleaning on a large scale these tiny expensive 1 qt bottles don't go very far you'd need hundreds every single day and at 20$ each you'd beer charging a fortune over the competition to even break even

[@artross9836]

Tried it. Didn’t work

[@ticktock2383]

Way too acidic. Will damage the grout. You need an alkaline cleaner.

[@accountantintraining4752]

This is an advertisement. Not an actual cleaning video.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

I was testing a cleaning product, and reviewing it. If that’s not an “actual cleaning video,” what is? If I had come to the conclusion that it wasn’t a good cleaning product would it be an “actual cleaning video” then?

[@conniemichalik4824]

It takes away a little bit of grout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forget it!!!!!!!!!! Too acidic. Who wants to replace their grout? I think I’ll use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and a little bit of blue Dawn instead.

[@HowToCleanLikeAPro]

It doesn’t remove so much grout that you need to replace it. Using acidic cleaners like this is industry standard.

[@negusdawoo]

Notice no gloves .. no.long. sleeve