How to revive a faded ceramic grout

While ceramic floors are a popular floor covering for their ease of maintenance, this is not always the case for the grout that accompanies it!

Yet it is necessary and practical. Grout is used to prevent dirt from accumulating under the tiles and causing them to peel off. It also prevents water infiltration. However, maintenance is not always easy. It can become dull, yellow, gray or greasy. How do you restore it to its original appearance?

You have three options to restore it to its original appearance:

1. Clean it

Make your own grout cleaner by mixing equal parts water, vinegar and baking soda. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the grout with a toothbrush. Finish by rinsing and drying the grout. If you prefer a more abrasive scrub, specialized products are available on the market.

GOOD TO KNOW: The grout surrounding your ceramic tiles is porous in nature, which means that it easily absorbs dirt. To prevent the accumulation of dirt, apply a sealer after cleaning. The sealer will keep the dirt on the surface of the grout. You can then wash it off more easily with a simple mop or sponge.

2. Dye it

If the color of your grout is simply out of style or faded, you can use a grout stain to make it look brand new again. Start by washing the grout with your favorite product, then apply the stain. Wash off the stain that gets on your porcelain tiles. This is a great way to change the look of the floor easily and inexpensively. Choose a color that contrasts with your ceramic tiles to emphasize the latter.

Should you choose a new light or dark shade? It all depends on your intention with the change. Dark grout hides dirt more easily, but highlights water spots. While light grouts make the room look bigger, they are messier. For a modern look, choose grout that is very close to the color of the tile. You will get a more uniform and contemporary floor!

3. Change it

When the previous two methods don't work, regrouting is an option. However, you run the risk of damaging the porcelain tiles, so be sure to take your time to do this job properly. You will need to remove 1/8 inch of grout by gently scraping it off with a tool, before putting new grout on top.

Although a little more complicated and costly than the first way to bring your ceramic grout back to life, staining or changing it has the undeniable advantage of being able to completely refresh the look of the room. The choice of the new color will complement the existing ceramic.

Your ceramic tiles are still in good condition, but you're not happy with the grout? You now have three solutions to remedy the situation!