You scrub it every week. You use every cleaner on the shelf. But that grout still looks gray, stained, and old. Here’s the truth — you can’t clean grout back to white once it’s gone dark and cracked. But you can regrout it yourself in a single afternoon without removing a single tile.
This guide walks you through exactly how to do it — no contractor, no demo, no mess left behind.
What You’ll Need
- Grout saw or oscillating tool with grout blade
- Premixed sanded or unsanded grout (match your joint width)
- Grout float
- Bucket + sponge
- Grout sealer
- Painter’s tape
- Safety glasses and gloves
Cost estimate: $30–$60 total
Step 1 — Remove the Old Grout
Use a grout saw (manual) or oscillating multi-tool to rake out the old grout to a depth of about 3mm. You don’t need to go all the way through — just deep enough for new grout to bond.
Work in small sections. Keep your tool angled to avoid scratching tile edges.
Tip: For small bathrooms, a $10 manual grout saw works fine. For large areas, rent an oscillating tool.
Step 2 — Clean and Dry the Joints
Vacuum out all dust and debris from the joints. Wipe down with a damp cloth and let the surface dry completely — at least 1 hour. New grout won’t bond over dust or moisture.
Step 3 — Apply New Grout
Mix your grout to a peanut butter consistency (or use premixed). Apply with a grout float held at a 45° angle, pressing firmly into joints.
Work diagonally across tiles to pack grout deep into joints. Don’t worry about making it perfect yet.
Step 4 — Wipe and Shape
After 15–20 minutes (when grout starts to firm up), use a damp sponge to wipe away excess. Rinse the sponge often. Work in circular motions.
Avoid wiping directly along the grout lines — you’ll pull grout out of joints.
Step 5 — Seal It
After 48–72 hours of drying, apply grout sealer with a small brush or applicator bottle along every joint. This prevents future staining and makes cleaning effortless.
Reseal once a year to maintain protection.
Final Results
Fresh grout transforms a tired bathroom completely. If your tiles are still in good shape, regrouting is the highest-ROI bathroom upgrade you can do yourself.
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