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How to Fix Discolored Grout by Staining It: 6 Easy Steps
Restore your grout’s shine with this step-by-step guide
Photo: Stephen Coburn/ Adobe Stock
Photo: Stephen Coburn/ Adobe Stock
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
2 days
COST
$15–$85
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Safety goggles
- Grout brush
- Bucket
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Damp cloth
SUPPLIES
- Rubber gloves
- Commercial grout cleaner
- Water
- Grout stain
- Grout sealer (optional)
Whether you’re looking to freshen up a tile floor or breathe new life into a kitchen backsplash, staining the grout is a good way to do it. Even better? You can knock out this beginner-friendly DIY project with a handful of basic tools and supplies. If you’re ready to get started, here’s how to fix discolored grout with grout stain.
Heads up: Staining grout only works on unsealed grout with minor or moderate discoloration. If you have sealed or heavily damaged grout, you need to replace it (instead of staining it)
Clean the Grout
Photo: Serenethos/ Adobe StockWhen staining grout, it’s important to clean it first. Otherwise, the stain might not adhere properly. There are several ways to clean grout, but using a commercial grout cleaner is one of the most effective—and easiest—options.
Before using grout cleaner, put on rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect your skin and eyes from the chemicals. Then, follow the instructions listed on the packaging. This involves applying the cleaner to the grout lines, letting it sit for several minutes, scrubbing it with a grout brush, and rinsing the area with water.
Let It Dry
When you finish cleaning the grout, let it dry fully before moving on to the next step. You should wait two to three days.
Test a Small Area
While wearing your gloves and safety goggles, apply a small amount of grout stain to a hidden part of your tile to make sure it’s the right color. In a kitchen, you could test an area under the refrigerator. In a bathroom, you might apply the stain behind the toilet.
Stain the Grout
Working in sections of 1 square foot at a time, use an old toothbrush to apply stain to the grout lines. As you go, remove any excess stain from the grout lines and tiles with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth often to keep it clean.
Let the Stain Sit and Repeat
When you’re done applying the stain, let it sit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the product, this can take several hours.
If you’re applying a lighter-colored grout over a darker one, you may need to use multiple coats of stain.
Seal the Grout
Photo: Pradit/ Adobe StockSome grout stain products include a built-in sealer. If yours doesn’t, you can apply a grout sealer after the stain dries. Sealing helps keep your grout clean and protects it from water, stains, and wear and tear.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Staining discolored grout doesn’t require any specialized skills or prior experience, so it’s a great DIY project. You can pick up all of the necessary tools and supplies at your nearest home improvement store for less than $100.
However, if you’d rather not spend hours on your hands and knees scrubbing grout, you could hire a local grout repair pro instead. On average, cleaning tile and grout costs $50 to $720 for a kitchen or $30 to $180 for a bathroom. You’ll also need to budget for recoloring the grout, which costs an additional $1 to $2.50 per square foot.
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