Refreshing tired grout

Grout can easily attract dirt and mould, especially as it’s often used in wet and high-traffic areas like your bathroom and kitchen. From removing and replacing the old grout completely to adding a layer of grout refresher on top, this DIY project can make a huge difference to your space without you needing to spend much money or hire a professional.

Even if you’ve tried cleaning it, but it still looks a little bit tired, there are a few things you can do to bring it back to life. Keep reading to find out how you can leave your grout looking good as new.

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The best way to clean grout is using either a shop-bought cleaner or a homemade paste of lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda to remove dirt, mould, and stains.

For a quick grout refresh, a grout whitener or pen can quickly brighten and redefine grout lines, especially for minor touch-ups.

For heavily worn grout, remove the old material with a grout rake or multitool, clean the area, and reapply fresh grout.

How to clean tile grout

When it comes to refreshing grout, you should start with cleaning it. As well as mould and mildew forming in humid areas, there’s also the possibility of staining. This is most common on kitchen floors and tiled countertops, while showers face the likelihood of soap scum build-up that can create a film on your tiles and grout.

There are a few different ways you can clean it, including using shop-bought products as well as trying home remedies. Whichever method you choose, cleaning grout is a cheap and straightforward job that takes a little bit of work but makes a massive difference in bringing tiled surfaces back to life.

Before beginning to clean grout, it’s important to ensure you’re working in a safe environment. Make sure your space is well-ventilated by opening a door or window, or turning on an extraction fan.

You should also wear gloves whenever you’re handling any cleaning products as they could be harmful to the skin.

With the right cleaning supplies and a little bit of elbow grease, refreshing grout can be done easily. The most obvious choice is a grout cleaner but before you begin, make sure you have the right type. You’ll need one that is safe to use on the type of grout you’re refreshing.

Once you have the right cleaner, you need to make sure that the area is completely dry before you begin. Instructions can vary from product to product, but they generally involve applying the cleaner to your grout and scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. Sometimes you might have to leave it for ten minutes or so before you start working it in. Once you’re done, wipe the area down with a damp cloth and leave it to dry.

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective way of cleaning grout, you can create a homemade grout cleaner using things you probably have in your kitchen cupboards. This option doesn’t require any chemicals either, which means it’s a more environmentally friendly cleaning solution.

All you need to do is mix equal parts lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl to form a paste. Apply the paste to your grout lines with an old toothbrush. Give it a few minutes to take effect, then scrub again before rinsing away the paste with a damp sponge.

Given the heavy traffic and wear that your floor tiles face on a daily basis, the grout that surrounds them may need refreshing more often than in other areas. You can clean floor tile grout in the same way as other grouted areas in your home, using a homemade solution or specialist grout cleaner, although you may end up doing this more frequently than elsewhere.

Another area where the grout is likely to need refreshing a bit more often is your shower space. While the high exposure to moisture every day is the ideal environment for mould to develop, you can easily clean the grout in your shower using either a grout cleaning product or a homemade cleaner containing bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice.

How to use grout whitener

For something that’s quicker and even easier, look no further than a grout pen. It helps you freshen and redefine grout without the need for scrubbing, on areas that aren’t so worn that they require a full clean. Grout pens are especially effective for refreshing and cleaning white tile grout.

They’re particularly handy when you’ve just painted your tiles, as they give the grout a renewed look but let you work with more precision. You just apply it directly to your grout, effectively tracing over the lines to give them a fresh coating that’s mould-resistant and waterproof.

To explore even more anti-mould solutions for your space, check out our guide and discover the best anti-mould paint for your space today.

How to replace tired grout

If your grout isn’t proving easy to clean, and a grout whitener isn’t an option, you’ll need to remove the existing grout and redo it. This is a slightly more labour-intensive and time-consuming job, but is sometimes the best option.

Grouting tools, such as: grout float, grout knife, grouting sponge, grout finisher

Multitool
Damp cloth
Grout

Use a grout rake to take out the old grout. Run it along the grout lines, applying pressure but making sure not to scratch the tiles. If you’ve got a larger area to cover, a multitool is a more efficient way to remove all this grout. You may still want to use a grout rake for the corners that the tool can’t get into.

Use a damp cloth or brush to clean the wall and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from the floor and crevices.

Mix up some grout in a colour that matches your old grout, using the packaging to find out the water-to-product ratio. For larger tiled areas, use a grout float to apply the grout between the tiles. For smaller areas, use a grout knife.

Leave the grout to dry for as long as the grout’s packaging details - then use a damp sponge to wipe away the excess. Finally, use a grout finisher to neaten up the grout lines.

If your kitchen or bathroom is looking a little tired, a grout refresh might be all that’s needed. First, give the grout a good clean with a grout cleaner or a homemade cleaning solution made from items you already have. You can then brighten the grout with a grout pen to whiten it up and make it look good as new.

If you want a total refresh, remove what’s already there and re-grout the area. You’d be surprised what a difference clean and fresh grout makes to a space. Want to restore your tiles too? Check out our guide on how to clean your tiles.

FAQs

You can use a steam cleaner to clean grout - simply fill the cleaner with water and attach a suitable small brush. Scrub the grout using the steamer in small lines until all dirt has been removed.

It’s not recommended to put new grout on top of old grout as it won’t adhere properly. You can, however, use a grout pen to improve its appearance without having to remove it.

If you’ve got spots where grout is missing, you can fill these in with grout without having to redo the whole wall. If the hole has happened as a result of crumbling grout however, it’s best to remove all this weak grout and re-grout the tiles.