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The best grout sealers repel water, prevent staining, and last up to a year. Since grout is porous, adding a sealer is necessary to prevent discoloration and mildew.
You can apply sealer to cured grout in a few simple steps. Then, reapply once per year or as needed.
Best Grout Sealers
What To Consider Before Purchasing a Grout Sealer
While applying grout sealer is simple, not all products are equal. If working in an area with high humidity or moisture, you must use a penetrating sealer.
Penetrating Grout Sealer
Penetrating grout sealers have a water or mineral spirits base and contain latex or silicone particles. They absorb into the grout and fill in gaps and tiny pores. You need a penetrating sealer when sealing grout in showers, bathrooms, and high-humidity areas since they allow water vapor to escape grout lines. Penetrating sealers also work for unglazed natural stone tile.
Non-Penetrating Grout Sealer
Non-penetrating or membrane-forming grout sealers work by creating a waterproof barrier on top of the grout. While these sealers will protect your grout from water damage, they don’t allow the grout to breathe, which leads to mold and mildew issues in high moisture or high humidity areas. Don’t use this type of sealer in the bathroom or basement.
Non-Toxic Grout Sealers
No/low VOC grout sealers feature a water base and plant-derived ingredients. While these sealers may not be as effective as chemical-laden ones, they’re ideal for those sensitive to harsh ingredients.
Application Bottles
Once you know the type of grout sealer you need, you can choose an application type. Grout sealers come in jugs, spray, and tubes. All are easy to apply, but personal preference will dictate which is best for you.
Best Grout Sealer Reviews
We’ve looked at product formulations, ease of use, and user reviews to compile a list of the best grout sealers depending on your needs.
Top Choice: Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer
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Miracles Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer is a penetrating sealer that’s strong enough to seal indoor and outdoor tile and grout. You can use it to seal any type of grout, and it also works as a natural stone sealer for marble, slate, granite, and travertine.
One pint covers up to 500 square feet. The formula is UV- and weather-resistant, ideal for outdoor kitchens and sunrooms. And since it’s a high-quality penetrating sealer, you can also use it in the bathroom and on shower surrounds.
Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator Sealer has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 5,500 users. Most reviewers claim this sealer is durable and easy to apply. There are a few user complaints about the harsh smell.
Pros:
- Works on most types of tile and grout
- Penetrates grout and unglazed stone for a waterproof, durable finish
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor applications
Cons:
- High VOC formula produces harsh fumes
- A couple of complaints that the sealer made light grout look dingey
Best for Showers: Clean-eez Stone & Grout Sealer
When sealing grout in a shower, you need a penetrating sealer, or else you risk the chance of mold taking over your grout lines. The Clean-eez Stone & Grout Sealer is a good option for sealing shower and bathroom grout – it will even seal unglazed natural stone tiles.
Applying this sealer is simple: apply to grout with a paintbrush, wait five minutes, and wipe away the excess. It will protect against water and oil-based stains and has a low odor.
Clean-eez Stone & Grout Sealer has over 1,400 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. While most users state this product is easy to use, some complained that it took 3-5 coats of sealer to create a waterproof barrier.
Pros:
- The easy application method is beginner friendly
- Ideal for bathroom tile, shower surrounds, and natural stone
- Low odor formula
Cons:
- It may take several coats to achieve a waterproof finish
Best Spray: Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Sealer
The Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Sealer comes in a spray bottle and is available in several sizes. You can use this for any color or type of grout. Since it’s a penetrating sealer, it’s also safe for shower surrounds and high-humidity areas.
To apply this sealer, spray it on clean, dry grout lines. Wipe off all excess spray before it dries. It may take more than one application for the grout to become water-repellant.
Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Sealer has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 1,000 users. Reviewers like it for its ease of use and because it doesn’t lead to discoloration. A couple of users complain that their grout has still gotten dirty with the sealer in place.
Pros:
- The spray bottle is convenient for applying to small areas
- Penetrating sealer works for all types of grout lines
- One pint covers 200-500 ln ft of grout
Cons:
- It will take multiple coats to form a water barrier
- The spray bottle is cumbersome for large grout jobs
Best Grout Sealer Pen: Waterproof Grout Paint and Sealer
When your grout is old, and no amount of cleaning brings it back to life, a grout pen is a saving grace. These pens paint grout lines, adding color and a sealant all in one. You can find grout pens in many standard colors like white, charcoal, and pearl gray.
Grout pens work like a marker – press down on the tip and color your lines. Since the pen waterproofs your grout, you don’t need to seal it afterward. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, opt for a water-based penetrating sealer.
The Waterproof Grout Pen and Sealer has over 400 user reviews with a 4 out of 5-star rating. Users love that these pens take grout lines from decaying to refreshed with little effort. There are a few complaints that it’s hard to color-match the pen to existing grout and that the tip of the marker wears down quickly.
Pros:
- Changes the color of grout and seals it in one step
- Easy to use – color on the grout like you would with a marker
- Eleven shades to choose from
Cons:
- The tip of the pen wears down easily
- It might be hard to find an exact shade match to your existing grout
Best Low VOC: Seal It Green Grout Sealer
A big concern of most grout sealers is the high amount of VOCs they release. If you’re concerned about VOCs or are sensitive to chemicals, Seal It Green Grout Sealer offers a more gentle, plant-derived formula.
The formula claims to be heavy-duty but is non-toxic, has no VOCs, and is water-based. It’s safe for grout and tiles of all types and comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle.
Seal it Green Grout Sealer has over 300 reviews on Amazon with an average 4 out of 5-star rating. But, while most users claim it works as advertised, several users report the sealer didn’t work at all, even after multiple coats.
Pros:
- No VOC formula is non-toxic and water-based
- Compatible with all types of tile and grout
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the efficacy of the product
Best for Natural Stone: Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold
Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold is a no-sheen sealer for natural stone and grout. You can use it to seal grout and cement, travertine, marble, granite, limestone, slate, masonry, and saltillo in one step.
Since this sealer is water-based and penetrating, it’s appropriate in most scenarios, including bathrooms and shower surrounds. It will maintain the look of porous stone without changing its look or finish.
Aqua Mix Sealer’s Gold Choice has over 1,200 user reviews and a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. Users agree that this product doesn’t change the color of grout or tile. There are complaints about the price compared to other products and the number of applications to form a water-repellent barrier.
Pros:
- Seals grout and natural stone in one step
- Won’t change the color or sheen of grout or tile
- Safe to use in food prep areas
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other sealers
- It may take multiple coats to achieve a proper seal
Best Tube Applicator: Miracle Sealants 6-ounce Grout Sealer
The Miracle Sealants 6-ounce Grout Sealer comes in a tube users can squeeze onto grout lines. It works on sanded and unsanded grout and has a water-based penetrating formula, making it ideal for high moisture, high humidity areas.
The formula will not change the look or sheen of grout, and it comes in a package containing two bottles.
Miracle Sealants 6-ounce Grout Sealer has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from over 150 users. Reviewers claim it’s very easy to use on floor tile, but because of its liquid formula, it will streak when applied to shower grout.
Pros:
- Tube applicator makes it easy to apply to floor grout
- Works on all sanded and unsanded grout lines
- Won’t change the color or sheen of grout
Cons:
- Its small size means users will need many bottles for a large grout job
- The liquid formula runs when applied to shower surrounds
How We Chose the Best Grout Sealers
Before compiling our list of the best grout sealers, we evaluated the features users most want, including grout sealers for specific areas of the home and types of tile. We reviewed dozens of top grout sealers, finding the seven best that fit the most popular categories. We looked at the efficacy, affordability, ease of use, and user reviews.
Why Trust Homedit Reviews
Homedit is an unbiased home improvement and home decor media outlet. Since founded in 2008, Homedit has delivered thousands of home improvement tips, reviews, and ideas to help readers create beautiful homes. Our writer, Katie Barton, has over ten years of experience in the home improvement field. She aims to help readers find products that live up to their expectations.
