Refresh the grout in your bathroom or laundry room with grout paint. It’s an easy way to make grout lines look new again and banish years of discoloration and stains.
The idea is simple: whether you want white, gray, beige, or a darker shade, grout paint can restore the original color or give you a whole new look. I used a white shade and the difference was dramatic.
The result is worth the effort. I had a bottle of grout paint sitting around for years, intended for the laundry room. The grout there was badly discolored and stained, especially around the toilet. I finally used the product when I was installing peel-and-stick vinyl tile in a small bathroom and knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until the grout looked right.
Before applying the grout paint, the grout lines were stubbornly stained despite repeated scrubbing. The photos below show the condition before painting—uneven, darkened grout that wouldn’t come clean with regular cleaning alone.
It’s a pretty painless process overall. The only uncomfortable part was kneeling on the tile while painting — my knees protested — but aside from that, it was quick and straightforward.
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Supplies You’ll Need to Paint Your Grout
- Polyblend Grout Renew in the color you want (I used Snow White). There are also grout paint pens available from some brands.
- Small stiff-bristle brush — a craft paintbrush or a toothbrush works. A craft brush offers more precision and reduces cleanup on tiles.
- Rag or paper towels to wipe excess paint from tile.
- Degreasing cleaner such as Krud Kutter or another effective grout cleaner for prep work.
Steps to Make Your Grout Look New Again
1. Clean the grout thoroughly
Start by cleaning the grout lines well. Use a degreasing cleaner and let it sit on the grout for a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush or an old toothbrush. Wipe away residue and allow the grout to dry completely before applying paint. Proper cleaning ensures the grout paint adheres and lasts.
2. Apply the grout paint
Work in small sections. Use a small, stiff brush to apply grout paint directly into the grout lines. A craft brush gives you control and keeps paint off the tile surface. If you’re using a grout paint pen, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for even coverage.
Choose a shade that complements your tile. I selected Snow White because it’s not an overly stark white but still brightens the space and looks natural next to my tiles.
3. Remove excess paint from tiles
Wipe any paint that gets on the tiles while it’s still wet. I used a small piece of toilet paper to quickly clean each tile after painting the adjacent grout. Working one tile at a time guarantees a clean edge and reduces drying work later.
4. Allow proper drying time
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cure time. The product I used advised 24 hours before using the room and 72 hours before getting the grout wet. I kept the door closed and avoided using that bathroom for a few days to ensure a complete cure. Proper drying protects the finish and extends the life of the grout coating.
The whole process was quick. My small bathroom took a couple of hours to prep and paint. Larger areas will take more time, but this is a project you can tackle in stages.
What a transformation. The grout looks fresh and clean, and it completely changed the look of the bathroom. Next up: I’ll tackle the laundry room, which is in even worse shape.
After refreshing the grout, I was ready to install peel-and-stick vinyl tiles over the floor and move forward with a full bathroom refresh. If you have stained grout that won’t respond to scrubbing, grout paint or grout renew products are an affordable and effective solution to give your tile surfaces a renewed appearance.
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