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Applying a high-quality, long-lasting grout sealer is one of the best ways to protect tile installations from water, dirt, oil, and mold. Whether you’re looking for a kitchen or bathroom grout sealer, there are plenty of products on the market that are appropriate for your specific building and installing project. But how to choose?
John Taylor, owner of Taylor Construction in McPherson, Kansas, says that if the grout does not contain a sealer, “it’s probably a good idea to apply one after installation to protect against grout stains.” He specifies that this applies to sealed tile. “Sealing porous tile, such as travertine, can leave sealer marks on the tile face. In that case, you may need to seal the entire project—but check with the tile manufacturer.”We researched some of the most effective grout sealers on the market to compose the following list for shoppers. Our favorite was the Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold. Perfect for kitchen areas, it’s easy to use and dries to a crystal-clear finish. Ahead, we’ve outlined the key considerations to bear in mind and offered details on more of our top-pick favorites among the best grout sealers available.
- BEST OVERALL: Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: FILA Groutproof Grout Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SPRAY: Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST NATURAL FINISH: Aqua-X Clear Grout and Tile Sealer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PEN: Rainbow Chalk Markers Grout Pen
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator
↓ Jump to Review
What Is a Grout Sealer?
Grout sealer penetrates grout and creates a layer to protect it from water, stains, and discoloration. Taylor has some advice on where to start: “The first thing to check is whether the grout manufacturer recommends a sealer—they often recommend a specific product that’s designed to be used with their grout.” If that’s not the case, one of the grout sealers on our list will do the job well.
Before You Buy a Grout Sealer
Before you choose a sealer for grout, you’ll want to know which type of grout you’re aiming to protect. Grout comes in two main varieties, one of which isn’t porous and doesn’t require sealing. So first thing first, determine the type of grout you’re dealing with.
- Cement-based sanded grout is an adhesive mixture of water, cement, and sand that fills in the gaps between tiles. This combination of natural compounds is porous, making sanded grout susceptible to water and grease damage, dirt, mold, and even bacteria. Here, a grout sealer is a must to cover or plug those microscopic spaces and keep your grout clean and fresh.
- In epoxy-based unsanded grout, epoxy resins are combined with filler powders to create an extremely tight bond. This provides certain advantages over cement-based grout: It’s nonporous and easily cleaned, very durable, and almost stainproof—all without requiring a grout sealer. That said, it’s not perfect. Its disadvantages include its artificial, almost plastic appearance; hard-to-remove grout haze; and pricier installation.
Our Top Picks
This list of top picks includes the best grout sealers on the market. Read on to see which one might be best for your needs.
Best Overall
Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold
Product Specs
- Volume: 1 pint
- Type: Penetrating
- Base: Water
- Price: $$$
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Dries to a crystal-clear finish
- Works on granite, limestone, marble, slate, porcelain, and more
What We Don’t Like
- Odor can be strong
For reliable quality, consider AquaMix Sealer’s Choice Gold, a water-based formula that’s low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is excellent for sanded grout. This popular product is ideal for kitchen areas since it helps protect and maintain the look of natural stone and tile. The formula is also designed to be safe in areas where food is prepared and served, so it’s perfect for any areas in the kitchen where grout is likely to see a lot of action, like around the stove area. It’s easy to use and dries to a crystal-clear finish. A 1-quart bottle will cover 375 square feet of standard grout lines.
Get the Aqua Mix grout sealer on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Bang For The Buck
FILA Groutproof Grout Sealer
Product Specs
- Volume: 24 ounces
- Type: Nonpenetrating spray
- Base: Water
- Price: $
What We Like
- Very easy to use
- Protects against moisture and humidity
- Eco-friendly formula
What We Don’t Like
- Sprayer may cause hand fatigue for larger projects
FILA’s grout sealer spray offers a budget-friendly solution to protecting and maintaining grout in a variety of areas around the home. Especially effective for cement-based grout, this 24-ounce spray bottle provides a water-resistant barrier to keep grout protected, preventing it from deteriorating. It’s especially effective against moisture and humidity, so it’s suitable for almost any tiled area in the home.
To apply, simply spray on the area and spread it evenly with a small brush. Leave for at least 4 hours to dry. Minimum coverage is 216 square feet; maximum coverage is 431 square feet.
Get the FILA grout sealer at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Spray
Black Diamond Stoneworks Ultimate Grout Sealer
Product Specs
- Volume: 16 ounces
- Type: Nonpenetrating spray
- Base: Water
- Price: $$
What We Like
- Safe to use on white-colored grout
- Protects against stains
- Simple spray application
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t protect against deeper issues like mold
While most sealers require users to wipe on the product with an applicator, Black Diamond Stoneworks grout sealer makes the process easier by packing it in a spray bottle. Simply clean the marble, spray the sealer, allow it to penetrate the stone, and wipe off with a clean cloth. Wait about an hour before applying a second coat.
Couple Black Diamond’s easy application with the low-odor formula, and it’s one of the best granite sealers for those who want to protect their stone countertops without exerting much effort. This water-based sealer is safe for food contact and is also compatible with marble, concrete, granite, limestone, and travertine.
Get the Black Diamond grout sealer at Amazon or BDStoneworks.
Best Natural Finish
AQUA-X Clear Grout and Tile Sealer
Product Specs
- Volume: 16 ounces
- Type: Nonpenetrating spray
- Base: Water
- Price: $$
What We Like
- Great for preserving natural stone and tile
- Creates an effective moisture barrier
- Dries clearly
What We Don’t Like
- Quite pricey for the size
While certain grout sealers can alter the look of the stone or tile, that glossy or matte effect is not always what users want. This clear spray grouting and sealing tile product from Aqua-X manages to provide protection from stains and dirt as well as improve the durability of the grout, all the while retaining the original look of the stone or tile.
Once sprayed on and dried fully, it leaves behind a clear and barely noticeable protective barrier that works well to prevent humidity and water from breaking down the grout between the tiles in your shower, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor areas.
Get the Aqua-X grout sealer at Amazon, Walmart, or Black Diamond Coatings.
Best Pen
Rainbow Chalk Markers Grout Pen
Product Specs
- Volume: 7 milliliters
- Type: Nonpenetrating pen
- Base: Water
- Price: $
What We Like
- Restores dirty grout back to a bright white
- Very easy to use
- Affordable
- Nontoxic formula
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for grout colors other than white
When you’ve already sealed your marble, stone, and tile areas around the house, but from time to time see that some heavy-use areas need a little attention, this grout pen from Rainbow Chalk Markers is a handy tool to have lying around. Just remove the cap and use the pen to touch up any dirty-looking areas along the grout lines. This pen will restore a bright white color to the grout—so make sure that the original color of your grout is actually white before you use it.
This grout pen uses a nontoxic and water-based formula that’s safe to use in kitchen and bathroom areas. With this product, maintaining the white grout around your house can become a lot less time consuming.
Get the Rainbow Chalk Markers grout pen at Amazon.
Also Consider
Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator
Product Specs
- Volume: 1 quart
- Type: Penetrating liquid
- Base: Solvent
- Price: $$$
What We Like
- Great both indoors and outdoors
- Lasts for several years
- Large coverage with a single bottle
What We Don’t Like
- Can leave streaks if not applied carefully
Whether your grout lies indoors or out, durable Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator can provide multiple years of water, stain, and slip protection, without altering the natural look of the grout. A 1-quart bottle will cover about 1,000 square feet, so this is an ideal solution for large areas that require a lot of coverage.
Since this product is a penetrating sealer, it is able to protect grout and tiles from both water and oil. It also dries clear to maintain the look of the original surface and is unlikely to yellow over time.
Get the Miracle Sealants grout sealer at Amazon, or The Home Depot.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Grout Sealers
The best grout sealers are easy to apply, leave no strong and lingering odors after application, and last for several years. Our research looked at several aspects to find the top picks on the market, including cement-based and epoxy-based options to suit shoppers’ needs.
We also made sure to include a range of options in terms of how the grout sealer is applied; from simple spray bottles for nonpenetrating solutions that provide moisture and stain protection to more heavy-duty products that provide a penetrating protection against a range of issues like mold, humidity, and heavy stains. We even included an option for shoppers to tackle spot maintenance of their white-colored grout sealer with a handy pen.
In terms of price points, our research helped us gather a range of products to meet a variety of budgets. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or a long-lasting solution, our list of recommendations can cater to both preferences.
What to Consider When Choosing a Grout Sealer
It’s important to consider the type of grout sealer that is most suitable for the task. Keep in mind toxicity of the product, grout sealer applicator options, and necessary expenses associated with the best grout sealers.
Types of Grout Sealer
Nonpenetrating Grout Sealer
If you’re looking for a layer of basic protection from an easy-to-apply solution, a nonpenetrating sealer (also called a “surface coating”) may be right for you. Nonpenetrating grout sealers will protect kitchen floors and backsplashes from moderate water exposure, dirt, and grease. (Areas that are exposed to a lot of water—bathrooms, tubs, and showers—will be better protected by a penetrating product, described below.) This type of sealer must be reapplied every year or two and often won’t adhere to glazed tiles, so it’s a great fit for grout used with unglazed tiles and natural stone.
Penetrating Grout Sealer
To prevent long-term water, mildew, and oil damage—especially on grout surrounded by denser, less porous surfaces—you’ll more likely want to choose a penetrating grout sealer (or “impregnating sealer”). Look for a product that (a) is designed for your tile material (natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, etc.) and (b) provides a natural-looking finish without unintentionally changing the color or texture of the grout or surrounding tile. An impregnator typically protects grout for a minimum of 3 to 5 years.
Penetrating sealers come in colorless and color options, the latter of which may lessen visible stains or discoloration in your grout. Unlike grout paint or dye, a color sealer penetrates the pores in sanded grout, helping protect it from future water damage while working to restore the original grout color.
Toxicity
Solvent-based sealers contain heavy chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. To minimize exposure to such chemicals as formaldehyde, VOCs, and petroleum distillates, consider wearing protective gloves and a safety mask, then applying a solvent-based sealer. Avoid exposing this type of grout sealer to heat and/or fire.
Water-based sealers offer a strong safe alternative. According to the North American Tile Cleaning Organization, these water-based grout sealers have lower VOC levels and are generally more effective than their solvent-based counterparts.
Applicator Options
How to seal grout may be a question you’re asking. When it’s time to apply a grout sealer, make sure you use enough product—at least two coats. You can apply grout sealer with a sponge, though some products come with a roller-brush applicator or spray nozzle. For precision work, smaller brush applicator tips may be your best bet.
Expenses
On average, you’ll typically pay between $0.80 and $1.50 per square foot of product used to protect grout. High-performance lower-cost grout sealers do exist, with a variety of applicator styles and formulas to choose from, but expect to pay at least $13 to $15 per quart—call it a small investment for the time you’ll save not scrubbing grout later on.
FAQs
Still have questions about how to use grout sealer? Check out answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
Most households will need to have their exterior grout sealed approximately every two years. High-traffic areas may require extra attention and require sealing every six months.
For suitable protection—and depending on the product you choose to purchase—one to three coats is recommended.
Many grout sealer products are advertised as both tile and grout sealer. So, depending on the product, it may also be an effective tile sealer.
Be sure to clean the grout thoroughly and repair any cracks or crumbles, then use your chosen sealer and applicator and apply slowly and deliberately.
A thin film will form on a tile if any grout sealer dries on it, which will diminish its shine. Use a grout sealer remover to restore it to its original look.
This depends on the type of sealer used. Nonpenetrating sealers provide protection for up to 5 years if maintained properly. Penetrating sealers, on the other hand, can last anywhere up to 20 years.
It is certainly a good idea to seal grout to protect it against stains, water, and discoloration.
Taylor offers some expert advice: “Usually, you can trust that a sealer is dry at 24 hours. Some may dry earlier, but I always give them 24 hours to be on the safe side.” He also does what he calls a water-drop test. “When the sealer is dry, water will bead up on the surface. If it soaks in, the sealer either isn’t dry or wasn’t adequate to seal the grout.”
