The discolored, dirt-stained grout in our foyer tile looked decades old and frankly gross. After trying nearly a dozen cleaners and countless tricks, we were ready to give up. Then we finally found the solution that made the grout look white and fresh again.
Once the grout lines were renewed, the whole entryway felt brighter and cleaner. The crisp grout complements the white trim and makes the space look newer and more inviting.
Interestingly, deep scrubbing alone didn’t solve the problem. If your grout is heavily discolored or stained, cleaning may not be enough. Instead of endless scrubbing, consider refinishing the grout with a grout paint or grout renew product. Here’s what we learned from our experience and how we restored our grout without regrouting the whole floor.
Cleaning Tricks That Didn’t Work
For the first six months after moving in, the grout simply refused to look clean. I tried dozens of common methods and put in hours of elbow grease, but the stains and discoloration remained. It became clear the grout itself was structurally clean but visually stained.
Some of the methods I tried included:
- Various baking soda pastes
- White vinegar solutions
- Magic erasers
- Specialty grout cleaning sprays and scrubs
- Bleach pens
- Oxygenating cleaners like OxiClean
- Powdered cleansers with a wire brush
- Barkeepers Friend with a wire brush
- A borrowed steam mop
- Scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush
- And a lot of frustrated muttering
The Solution to Getting White Grout Again
After exhausting cleaning options, I realized the grout needed either complete removal and regrouting or a refinishing treatment. Regrouting would have been messy and disruptive, so I opted to refinish the grout using a grout-renew product. A number of readers recommended Polyblend Grout Renew, and the product worked exactly as others promised. It renewed the color of the grout lines without the mess of ripping out grout.
The product was inexpensive compared to the time and effort I’d already invested, and using grout paint is a practical way to revive grout color and appearance. There are also other grout coating and grout pen options on the market if one brand isn’t available.
Choose Your Grout Paint Color
Grout renewal products come in many shades—dozens in some lines—ranging from bright white to warm off-whites and grays. While the temptation might be to choose the brightest white, consider how the color will look against your tile, trim, and lighting. The brightest white can sometimes appear artificial; a softer white or ivory often looks more natural and still achieves a much cleaner appearance.
We tested a couple of shades and settled on a mid-tone ivory (Oyster Gray in our case) that brightened the space without looking glaringly white. The product we used had low odor and low VOC, which was important for our comfort while working indoors.
GroutRenew Alternatives
If the exact product we used isn’t available, look for grout pens, grout paint, or grout-recoloring kits from reputable brands. Many hardware stores carry similar grout-renew solutions in squeeze bottles, pens, or brush-on formulations. Read reviews, verify color options, and choose a product suited to floors if you’re working on pathways or high-traffic areas.
How to Apply Grout Paint
Refinishing grout is time-consuming, especially on floor areas, but the results are worthwhile. Our foyer took roughly eight hours of active application spread over multiple days. Here’s the approach we used:
Step 1: Clean Your Tile and Grout
Before applying grout paint, remove surface dust and dirt. You don’t need to scrub until your arms fall off, but a basic cleaning to remove debris and oil will help the product adhere evenly.
Step 2: Pick Your Brush or Application Tool
The manufacturer often suggests an old toothbrush, but a thin craft brush or small paintbrush gives much more control and reduces mess on the tile surface. A narrow brush also makes it easy to dip into the bottle and load paint precisely into grout lines.
Step 3: Plan Your Starting Point and Exit Route
If you’re painting a floor, plan so you don’t trap yourself in an area that can’t be left to dry. Start in a corner or a small room and work toward an exit. We began in the half-bathroom, slowly worked our way out, and closed the door so completed sections could dry without being disturbed.
Step 4: Be Ready for Mistakes
Even with careful application, some paint may get on the tile. Wipe any excess immediately with toilet paper, a paper towel, or a soft cloth before it dries. Working a few grout lines at a time and then smoothing the edges helps keep seams crisp and minimizes cleanup.
Step 5: Pace Yourself
Break the project into manageable sessions. We split the foyer across multiple days so half the floor remained usable while the other half dried. Painting grout can be physically demanding, especially in tight spots, so take breaks and avoid rushing.
Step 6: Let It Dry
Allow each painted section to dry fully—most products recommend 24 hours or more before light use and up to 72 hours before wet cleaning. We followed the drying guidance and kept the surface dry for the recommended period. A little product can go a long way: we had about a quarter of a bottle left for future touch-ups.
After applying grout paint and allowing proper curing time, our foyer grout looked dramatically better. The improvement held up over time with normal foot traffic and routine mopping. If your grout is discolored and cleaning hasn’t helped, consider refinishing with a grout-renew product. It’s a cost-effective way to refresh tile and extend the life of your flooring without the mess of regrouting.
Originally published in 2014. Tested and found effective for our home; results may vary depending on grout condition and product selection.