Easy Tile Grout Repair

Use this method for kitchen tile grout repair. There is no need to remove existing old grout, and it can be done in just a few hours!

kitchen counter with pumpkin bread and fall decor

Author’s Note: this post was originally published in 2012. I used this tile grout repair method right up until the last month we lived in the Sutton Place house. The day before our first showing to sell, I followed the same process that’s detailed below.

I am going to show you an easy tile grout repair method, but first I have a confession.

I hate grout. Actually, hate really isn’t a strong enough word. I detest grout. Even the nasty word itself is hard to say. Just when I was ready to give up hope of ever having white grout again, I found this little bottle of Tile Guard at a local home improvement store. Since the price was right, I picked it up. It’s been sitting in the cupboard under my sink for months. If I had known how easy it was to apply, I would have tackled this job a lot sooner. The image below shows you where I started.

How to Restore Grout from On Sutton Place

*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement.

Not pretty. My tile is old, and the grout grabs on to every crumb, all the moisture, and specks of dust. I wipe and wipe, but the grout sucks the dirt right in, and stains are inevitable.

The Method

After a good cleaning with Clorox Clean-Up, I began by dabbing the Tile Guard on the grout. Very quickly I could see that this method was not going to work. The liquid wasn’t coming out fast enough. So I cut the dabber top off, and just poured the liquid on the grout lines. I used cotton balls to spread it out. The image below shows what the countertops looked like when I was finished applying the Tile Guard.

The manufacturer’s instructions said for best results to let the application dry overnight. This was key in getting the liquid to set up, and stick to the existing grout. The next morning, I wiped the counters with a damp sponge. The tiles came out very shiny, there was no haze, and the grout was bright white. All in all the process was completely painless. There was very little mess, and it was fast.

Tips for Easy Application

I did not seal my grout. However, I would highly recommend it. Apply the Homax Sealer, especially if you are restoring a large space or floor.
Use rubber gloves to apply the liquid. It saves your hands from becoming a giant mess.
I never worried about cracks or damaged grout. I just applied a heavy coat of Tile Guard and hoped for the best!
To make this job as easy as possible, I recommend clearing your counters in the evening. Clean your tile, and apply the Tile Guard. First thing in the morning, wipe everything down, and restore order to your kitchen.
This method will work for porcelain tile, marble tile, as well as natural stone. To my knowledge, it will work on any type of grout.

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Update

I am definitely not a grout expert. When I originally shared this tile grout repair method way back in 2012, some people judged just a little, and said I was covering up the dirt. Honestly, I probably was, but I always cleaned the grout very well before I applied the Tile Guard. I had old counters, and the bottom line was that I just wanted them to look better…and the new grout always did. It resisted mold and mildew, and grout cleaning was easier.

This is real life DIY. I found a solution that I could DO MYSELF, that wouldn’t require professionals, and that was affordable. I’m not saying this restoration method will work for everyone in every situation. I am saying it worked for me, and I highly recommend it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use this on floor tiles?

Yes…but it would be time-consuming and tedious. However, if you compare the cost of a few bottles of Tile Guard, and a day out of your life, to installing a new floor, I’m sure it would be worth it.

How long does the application last?

I refreshed the tile in our kitchen every few years. It looks very good for about a year, and then the finish slowly begins to fade. That’s when it’s time for another application.

Can you use this on colored grout?

No. Tile Guard is only available in white.

Can you use this method on bathroom counters?

Yes…but definitely apply the Homax Sealant.

Do you recommend using this method in a shower?

No. I have never tried it, but the water and moisture in a shower would definitely lessen the longevity of the Tile Guard.

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11 Comments

We will be selling our home in a few years. I have tile in my kitchen. I like it, but my daughter if trying to convince me to replace it with granite. I don’t want to pay for it, but she says I might lose buyers because of the tile. What do you all think?

Arthur Mayo says:

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Hi Cathy, I’m a potential home buyer and it’s sooo frustrating seeing kitchen after kitchen that looks exactly the same after being remodeled or having countertops replaced in a style I don’t like and knowing I’m paying extra for something I’d just want to replace as soon as I’d have the funds to do so. I’d keep the tile, just clean it up as much as you can, which based on this post shouldn’t be more than 10 bucks and a night of take-out.

Reply

Holy cow – that looks fabulous! Wonderfully clean looking and I can’t wait to do mine, too. :D.

You made an interesting point when you explained that the key to getting good grout results is by letting it sit overnight. A couple of the tiles in my kitchen are starting to come loose, and I am worried that these will lead to moisture getting in and causing mold growth. I’m not a very handy person, so I think I will hire a professional for this grouting project.

I have a similar countertop, and absolutely hate when my grout is stained! I keep a spray bottle nearby, with a diluted bleach in it. Spray it on the tiles, wait a while, a little scrub with a brush, and you have clean grout!

But is this basically a grout “paint”? I’d rather remove stains than cover them. I scrub the floor with bleach, and then seal. I have two homes and my bleach method works better in one of the kitchens than the other, for some reason.

Ann Drake says:

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Yes this is a product that paints the grout. I cleaned my grout the best I could before I applied it. It accomplished what I wanted and that was to give my grout a refresh.

Reply

Wow! That stuff works great! Thanks for the tip.

That’s good to know about this product!
I have an aunt who’s bathroom always had this perfectly white looking grout looked so white and fresh and my Mom finally asked her what her secret was and she said she uses the white liquid baby shoe polish (people used to use that for kids shoes a lot) – Same procedure….put it on and let it dry then wipe the excess off. It will be interesting to know how long your Tile Guard holds up!

Ann, I think you have made a wonderful discovery. Your “after” looks amazing.

Looks like new. My grout is all either dark brown or grey, but love how clean your tile looks with the freshened up grout!

The Method

Tips for Easy Application