Our top picks: Best Grout Sealer of 2024
Grout lines sit between two adjacent tiles and form a tiny gap. Albeit a tile floor looks elegant, stylish, and durable, dirty grout lines can ruin everything. They are too porous to become discolored and moldy. Dropping colorful liquids on the floor can leave a permanent mark on unsealed grout lines. It decreases their lifespan too.
Owners must invest in the best grout sealer to solve these problems. It is usually a liquid product that dries up after application. Sealing protects the grouts against everything. Your grouts will be less affected by water, mold, mildew, discoloration, and more damages.
In this article, we are about to share our honest reviews with you. We have tested many sealers and found the eight most effective ones at last. Here is the list:
Review of the Best Grout Sealer
- Miracle Sealants GRT SLR — $9.81
- FILA Grout Sealer Spray — $16.77
-
STONETECH Heavy Duty
—
$18.99
$26.99 - Aqua Mix Grout Sealer Dual — $23.70
1. Miracle Sealants GRT SLR, Grout Sealer, 6 oz.
Finding a versatile sealer that works for both sanded and unsanded grout lines are rare. Guess what? This model is one of them. It creates an invisible barrier on the grout joints. As a result, they start resisting moisture, liquid, stains, etc. It is also safe from weather impacts. For these properties, one application stays the same for a couple of years.
It is the best floor tile grout sealer we have ever bought. It is a 6 oz bottle that can cover 60 to 115 square feet area easily. Let it sit for four hours. After drying, it does not discolor the tiles. It is UV transparent and delivers a natural appearance. The finishing is not slippery at all.
The bottle arrives with an excellent applicator system. Its tip seals any interior or exterior grouts with maximum precision. Don’t worry if you are new to this job. You won’t face any problem while using it; very easy to apply. We suggest applying at least two coats for maximum benefits.
Use it in any damp places like the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere else. There is no risk of trapping moisture beneath the floor. Water molecules can evaporate easily. In this way, it prevents mold and mildew growth.
Features At A Glance
- Convenient applicator tip
- Weather-resistant, moisture-resistant, not slippery
- Safe, easy to use
- Perfect for interior or exterior use
- Good coverage
- Clear coating
2. 16 oz AQUA-X Grout Sealer, Clear Grout Sealer
Many professionals use it for grout sealing. Feel free to use it in the bathroom, tubs, kitchen, and other rooms. Only target the grout joints. Pay more attention not to drop it on seal glazed tiles. They fail to absorb this solution and can be damaged.
Read the instructional manual and observe the application video. You can use the given spray bottle for application. Or, you can use any type of applicator. Remove the residue for the tiles with a soft, lint-free towel. Let the first layer dry and spray more coats if necessary. Your tiles won’t require resealing for up to five years.
It has a creamy texture and color. But it always gives the surface a clear, natural finish. The floor looks so clean and unique. It becomes moisture-resistant, stain-resistant, and smooth. All unwanted stains, dust, soap residue, debris will come out quickly. You just have to use a mild cleaner. Do not scrub too hard.
This odor-less solution allows us to breathe freely without causing major health risks. It is also low in VOCs. Such formulas are safe to use. You should still wear proper clothes, a mask, and gloves before releasing the sealer on the grout joints.
Features At A Glance
- Versatile product
- Natural appearance
- Easy to clean stains and other debris
- Zero unpleasant odor
- Long-lasting protective coating
- Water-based formula
3. FILA Grout Sealer Spray Filagrout Proof 24 OZ, Grout Sealer
This one has all features to be the best tile grout sealer. Water-based formulas make it safe and nonflammable. It does not feature any strong solvent odor and high PFOA, VOC levels. Zero harmful chemicals will enter your body while breathing on it. At the same time, it won’t cause any threat to the environment.
Beginners, intermediate, experts- all customers can apply these sealers conveniently. For application, we can use rollers, spray, and small brushes based on the projects. They protect our grout joints from water, humidity, and stains. No wonder they are tough and durable. Grouts will look fabulous even after years.
Numerous spilled beverages, oily food, chemicals, and other items do not go through the grout lines. If they accidentally fall on the floor, all you have to do is wipe them off. A mild lukewarm cleanser and a soft cloth are enough for this task. All stains will come off within minutes.
It is usable for exterior or interior jobs. When the application is complete, remove the access sealer and other dirt carefully. It is fast-drying so that you don’t have to wait for more than 4 hours. The finishing will look realistic, clean, and super elegant. Spilling water won’t change their color at all.
Features At A Glance
- Stain prevention
- Immune to water and humidity damages
- Fast and effortless cleaning
- Best for cementitious grout joints, mosaics
- Negligible VOC emissions
- Eco-friendly, odorless, PFOA free
4. Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Sealer
Some customers want an all-rounder sealer for their tiles, bathroom, kitchen, countertops, marble floor. They should go for this unique sealing product. The color of your grout joints does not matter. It goes well with white, transparent, or colored lines.
It consists of non-toxic materials. VOCs level is very low there. Consequently, you don’t have to deal with health issues after working with them. Above all, one application is enough for at least one year. Hence, buyers don’t need to do tedious work regularly.
Now, come to the application process. First of all, a user has to clean dirt from the grout joints. Then, flip up the bottle’s top and release the solution slowly. Allow the liquid to sit for a few minutes. Apply more as per need. Wash away the residues with a soft cloth.
Since it follows a water-based formula, it doesn’t change color because of water or other liquids. Plus, it prohibits oil, grease, dirt, food, tea, coffee, lemonade, and wine from leaving permanent stains. It is better to clean them out before drying. If the stains have already dried up, rub gently with soapy water. They will vanish instantly.
Features At A Glance
- Long-term protection
- Easy to apply on grout lines
- Water-based construction
- Less smell
- Safety against different types of stains
- No damage, no travertine etching
5. Homax Tile Guard Silicone Grout Sealer, 4.3 oz
It is another masterpiece from the Homax brand. The key differences from the previous one are the quantity and applicator. Other features are almost similar. It is mainly famous for high abrasion, UV radiation, and temperature tolerance. Customers do not have to re-apply within a few years. But re-whitening is mandatory to sustain its charm.
This penetrating sealer does not offer color and gloss enhancements. It operates by raising surface tension. Water can enter inside the coating. It converts to some droplets rather than being absorbed. It also evaporates easily. Mildew build-ups are impossible on such floors.
Unlike the other water-based sealants, it is fragrance-less, non-toxic, and safe to use. Almost no chemical substances, which are harmful to the human body, are present there. It acts as an invisible protective layer after drying. Thermal exposure, salt water, regular uses, impacts do not result in damages or decay.
Clean the area well before and after pouring sealants. It has a liquidy texture, but it will harden later. You may wait until four to six hours. The floor won’t get sticky or slippery. The only drawback is, it does not work well on the shower grouts.
Features At A Glance
- User-friendly applicator
- Odorless water-based mechanisms
- Superior grout line protection
- Usable on the interior and exterior surfaces
- Non-sticky, clear finish
- Easy enough to use
6. StoneTech Heavy Duty Grout Sealer, 1-Quart (.946L)
The sealant ensures heavy-duty protection against all damages and stains. It does not affect the grout color. So, applying on a light grout line does not darken the appearance. Only a natural look is visible. It is appropriate for the majority of kitchen tasks but not for washrooms.
Be careful during your work. Bring out the old grout segments and brush away the dirt. Next, pour the sealing solution at a slow pace. It should not dry on your tiles. Get rid of the residues, debris, etc. Apply the next coating on the dried first layer.
After sealing, you have to focus on proper maintenance. Well-maintained works do not fade away from two to four years. However, if you use harsh detergents, steaming machines, or hot vinegar cleanser, their lifespan will decrease. The sealing layer may crack, and another application should be done after one year.
It makes cleaning more effortless. When something drops, the grout lines do not absorb the oil and color. It is the reason behind the ease of cleaning. Get mild detergent, mix with water, dip a cloth into it and scrub the stains away. As simple as that!
Features At A Glance
- Resistant to most stains
- Natural-looking
- No changes in the original grout color
- Last for years to come
- Appropriate for a variety of floors
- Easy cleaning
7. Aqua Mix Grout Sealer Dual Protection
Our last champion belongs to the Aqua Mix brand. It implements water-based strategies. So, it is not injurious to your health. The smell is a little bit weird, though. It is not too strong to induce a headache. Even after continuing your work for days, you will be completely fine.
If you don’t like silicone sealants, try this unit. Its performance is way better. When anyone coats the grouts, it forms a shield after drying. This shield repels water, oil, grease, debris, etc. It demotes bacteria and mold growth. Such a layer lasts a maximum of five years.
Another advantage of the sealer is its functionalities regardless of the grout varieties. There is no restriction of working with cement-based sanded or unsanded grout lines. It will beautify your natural stone, porcelain, glass, brick, or other floors by giving a clean look. But the grout coloration will be the same. Take care of the grout joints regularly after sealing.
We found it challenging to use the sealant. Its application becomes messy unless you use an applicator tip. We hope the authorities will add a good-quality applicator along with the sealing solution. Maintain half an hour gap between consecutive applications.
Features At A Glance
- Water-based sealer
- Anti-contaminant service
- Robust formula
- Better than silicone sealers
- Routine cleaning endurance
- Perfect for both cementitious sanded and unsanded grout lines
8. Homax Grout Sealer, 22 oz. Spray Bottle
The best thing about the sealant is its thermal stability. High or low weather doesn’t damage the layer. It even withstands extreme conditions without reacting. That’s why people can use it inside or outside of the houses. Different kinds of grout surfaces, including glass, ceramic, tiles, bricks, concrete, will look good with this sealing agent.
Apart from the less temperature reactivity, it is not sensitive to chemical exposure. Besides, there are no VOCs, unpleasant smells, and toxic components. Overall, it is 100-percent safe to use. Safety, great functionalities, and aesthetic finish- what else we need?
When it comes to longevity, silicone sealants rule over other similar products. We expected the same from this grout sealer, and it didn’t let us down. Nothing can beat its work for fixing bathroom sinks, cracked lines, and gaps between tiles. As the manufacturer’s claim, the coating doesn’t require further re-application for up to five long years.
We are happy with the way it repels water penetration. The finished layer will never trap moisture inside. Thus, your floor will not get any scopes to build up mildews, germs, and bacteria. Also, cleaning the sealed area is easier than an unsealed part.
Features At A Glance
- Safe from moisture and stains
- Innovative water-based formula
- Negligible odor
- Mildew-resistant
- Suitable for glazed ceramic tile lines
- Easy to wipe off dirt
What Should I Look for When Buying a Grout Sealer?
As a buyer, you can find out the best floor grout sealant by these considerations:
Know the surface type
Versatile units always act well on every kind of floor, including stone, tiles, mosaic, ceramic, marble, porcelain, and so on. There are also tons of sealers that are suitable for only one or more particular surfaces.
Some are specially designed for washroom and kitchen applications because these floors get in touch with water the most. Cement-based grout lines become susceptible to damage quickly. A sealer is a must for them.
It plugs their porous areas and provides a clean coating. On the other hand, proxy-based grouts hardly require sealers. Their tightly bonded elements develop a smooth, heavy-duty, water-resistant, stain-proof layer anyway. But you can buy sealers to boost the appearance.
Choose from penetrating and non-penetrating options
We can divide all sealers into two classes based on their liquid penetration facilities- non-penetrating and penetrating. The former gives an ordinary performance. Their application procedures are straightforward and take less time.
Do not expect them to last more than a year. As the name suggests, they don’t allow any water to gather inside the grouts. A membrane forms after their application that seals the grouts completely and locks moisture too. These properties make them the best grout sealer for kitchen backsplash but non-ideal for restrooms.
Places, which stay damp most of the time (showers, spa rooms, bathtubs, washroom), need a penetrating one instead. It lets the trapped water molecules evaporate without any chance of growing mildew. The natural-looking finishing will remain safe from oil damages as well, at least for three years.
Understand the levels of toxicity
Prioritize safe varieties as much as you can, especially if you have children. Always check the ingredient list before shopping. Try to avoid brands, which launch products with formaldehyde, VOCs, and many more. Solvent-based grout sealers are the most harmful sealer of all.
Their construction involves the use of heavy chemicals or toxic materials. Buyers notice serious health issues after inhaling or putting them into the mouth accidentally. Wear goggles, masks, gloves prior to their application. Store them away from heat and fire sources.
Water-based models are comparatively safer. Many studies prove that they have fewer VOCs and other harsh elements. Take the same precautions you would take for the solvent-based sealers.
Get the right applicator tip
Applying a sealer can be a messy task. In most cases, you have to repeat the whole job twice. You may end up dropping it all over your tiles. Then, you have to spend more time cleaning than applying it.
Only the right application method can save you. Several sealants come with the perfect applicator for your surface. It can be a roller brush, sponge, tube, or spray nozzle. Brushes with small tips deliver the most accurate output.
The secret is, they release a minimal amount of sealing solutions. Another convenient choice for filling small spaces is tube-shaped applicators. If your picked model does not contain an applicator, purchase it separately.
Make your budget
Most grout sealers are not too expensive to buy. They typically cost from $.50 to $1.50 or slightly more per square foot. But the price raises for additional, exclusive features. For example, if the deal covers accessories, it may cost more than the regular models.
The scenario can be the opposite too. You can find many high-quality sealers below the average cost and poor-quality sealers at a high rate.
We strongly recommend fixing your budget and buying the best one from your capability range. Manage at least $15 per quart. Order easy-to-use items because taking professional help wastes more bucks.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Conclusion
Every product needs proper maintenance for a great, long-lasting service. We can tell the same for grouts. Using the best grout sealer is the only way to protect them. We covered an in-depth review of our top picks and discussed their application method.
Later, we added a buying guide for new/inexperienced buyers. Finally, there is a question-answer section where you will find more information.
Hopefully, they will guide you well while seeking the best grout sealer for shower, kitchen, living room, drawing room, or anywhere else. Get a suitable match, apply it carefully, and your old floor will look amazing.
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