How to Change Tile Grout Colour?

Tile grout is built to last for a long time. But before it starts to physically deteriorate, you’ll notice that the grout itself will become discoloured. While grout discolouration is inevitable, no one wants to see dark, crusty, and faded grout in their bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes. Grout discolouration happens due to mould and mildew buildup, as well as dirt that imperceptibly accumulates over time. 

No matter how religious you are with cleaning and sealing tile grout, it will still become discoloured at some point in the future. Thankfully, changing the colour of grout is relatively easy and this can be achieved using grout stain instead of the job of regrouting. Grout stain comes in a wide range of colours and can easily be matched to any design scheme. If you’re interested in changing the colour of your tile grout, then you came to the right place.

This article will discuss everything you need to know on how to use grout stains and how you can enhance the overall look of your bathroom floors and kitchen backsplashes.

Factors to consider when choosing grout colour

The first step in staining tile grout is choosing the appropriate colour. White grout stain is a tried and tested colour that works with almost any tile decor. It’s versatile, it looks clean, and can effectively restore the look of worn-out grout. But if you’re like most people and you want to switch things up, there are a few key considerations you should know and those are:

• Matching the grout colour with the tile. Choose a grout colour that’s a shade lighter or darker than the existing tile. This makes it easier to blend the grout colour with the neighbouring tiles and give it a more seamless look.

• Contrasting colours can make your tiles stand out. If you’re looking to highlight your tiles, then you may want to use a grout stain that contrasts with the tile colour to make each tile pop.
• For the safest choice, go with neutral colours. Neutrals are the most common colours of grout stains and are less likely to clash with complex tile designs and patterns compared to brighter shades.
• Factor in the foot traffic in the area. For example, if you’re planning on staining tile grout in your kitchen, you may want to avoid using a light-coloured grout stain since it’ll show dirt much easier.

There are two types of products used to colour grout and these are grout stains and grout paint. A grout stain is a thin liquid that seeps into the grout’s pores to alter its colour while grout paint is much thicker and forms a thin film on top of the grout. In our experience, grout stains last longer than grout paint since they get absorbed by the grout and won’t peel off in the long run.

How to apply grout stain

Applying grout stain is a pretty straightforward process. All you need to do is prepare the necessary tools for this task. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully apply grout stain.

Tools you’ll need:

• Artist’s brush (preferably one with a square tip)
• Latex gloves
• Safety goggles
• Grout cleaner
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Rag
• Bucket of water

Step 1: Clean the tile grout

The first thing you need to do is clean the existing tile grout. Grout stain won’t work if the grout itself is covered with dirt, cooking grease, or soap scum. To make the cleaning process much easier, you can soak the tiles in hot water to break down oils, mildew, and other types of residue. Wear safety goggles and latex gloves as some chemicals are harmful to your skin.

Spray the grout cleaner all over the tiles and use a stiff-bristled brush to remove the dirt. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar to clean tile grout. Scrub vigorously and make sure to get into the corners of the tiles. After scrubbing, rinse the grout with warm water and repeat until all of the dirt has been removed.

Step 2: Staining the grout

After the grout has been cleaned and dried, the next step is to apply the grout stain. Dip the artist’s brush into the bottle of grout stain and apply it directly to the grout. An artist’s brush works perfectly for this task because you can have greater control over the product application compared to using a toothbrush.

Go over a 1 square-foot area before dipping the brush again into the grout stain bottle. When painting the grout, allow the grout stain to soak on the grout before moving on to other areas to ensure full coverage of the product.

Step 3: Removing excess grout stain

As you complete a square foot of tile grout, remove the excess grout stain by using a damp rag and wiping down the edges of the tiles. It’s important to keep your rag clean when wiping excess grout stains so make sure to dip it in a bucket of water and wring it after each wipe.

And that’s pretty much it on changing the colour of your tile grout. Grout stains are a simple and affordable way of restoring the look of tile grout and the whole process can be done by almost anyone. The results are immediate and it’ll make a world’s difference in terms of the overall look and feel of your kitchen backsplash or bathroom floors. Try it out and see the results for yourself.