How to Change Grout Color

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 4 - 8 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $20 to $50

Tile grout between ceramic tiles often starts as one color and gradually changes to a darker color. Dirt, mold, and mildew build up over time, and the grout darkens. If the existing tile grout has become dirty or discolored—or if you just want a new look—it is possible to change the color of the grout. Coloring grout freshens up the entire tile layout, all without having to replace the tile.

Changing grout color to gray with old toothbrush and green gloves over tiles floor

The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

Recoloring Grout vs. Replacing Grout

Recoloring Grout
  • All tiles except for stone

  • Grout stays in place

  • Light to dark color change

  • Does not fix grout problems

  • Easier to do

  • Minimal risk to tile

Replacing Grout
  • All tiles

  • Grout is removed

  • Any color change

  • Complete fix for grout problems

  • More difficult to do

  • Risk damaging tile

Change the color of the grout in either of two ways: leaving the grout in place and recoloring it or removing the grout and replacing it with grout of a different color.

Recoloring Grout

Recoloring tile joints involves painting a grout colorant onto the grout. Colorants are usually a blend of colorant and sealer. Application is a matter of simply painting the material onto the thoroughly cleaned grout lines with a stiff brush.

  • Best for glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles. With unsealed natural stone tiles (or any unglazed products), the colorant will stain the tiles.
  • Grout is left in place.
  • Best results are achieved by changing from a lighter to a darker color. Changing to a lighter color is possible but it requires multiple applications.
  • Recoloring the grout only changes its look. It does not address grout problems such as crumbling, cracking, or missing grout.
  • Coloring grout is tedious and repetitive, but fairly easy to do and uncomplicated.
  • As long as the tile surface is glazed, coloring grout poses almost no risk of damaging the tile.

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Replacing Grout

Grout can be recolored by removing the grout and replacing it with new grout that has been tinted the color you want.

  • Removing and replacing the grout works for all types of tiles.
  • The grout is entirely removed with electric and manual tools.
  • The new grout can be any color that you choose since it does not need to override a lower color.
  • Removing and replacing the grout is the ultimate fix for any type of tile grout problem.
  • More difficult to do than coloring the grout.
  • Risk of damaging the edges of the tile with the removal tools.

Safety Considerations

Removing grout creates a lot of dust, so wear breathing protection and eye protection. Wear hearing protection when operating the multi-tool.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Coloring Existing Grout

  • Small scrub brush
  • Sponge
  • Bucket
  • Colorant brush (or toothbrush)

Replacing Grout

  • Grout saw or multi-tool with grout blade
  • Breathing protection
  • Eye protection
  • Small flat-head screwdriver
  • Utility knife
  • Shop vacuum
  • Stiff scrub brush
  • Mixing bucket
  • Mixing trowel
  • Grout float
  • Grout sponge
  • Foam paintbrush

Materials

Coloring Existing Grout

  • Grout cleanser
  • Grout colorant
  • Painter's tape (optional)

Replacing Grout

  • Plastic sheeting or drop cloths
  • Grout
  • Grout pigment
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Grout sealer

Instructions

How to Change Grout Color With a Colorant

  1. Scrub the Grout Lines

    Use a commercial grout cleaner to thoroughly scrub the grout lines with a small stiff scrub brush. After scrubbing, rinse and neutralize the cleaner with clear water wiped over the tiles with a sponge.

    Tip

    The colorant product usually recommends a specific grout cleaner for this preparation step. It's best to follow this recommendation, as the products have been tested to be compatible with one another. You may also have good luck using ordinary white vinegar, followed by a paste made from a mixture of water and baking soda, as a cleanser for dirty grout lines.

    Blue hand-held brush cleaning grout between tile floor

    The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

  2. Test the Colorant

    Find an inconspicuous spot on the tiled surface to test the colorant. Apply the colorant to a few inches of grout, then let dry as directed by the manufacturer. Make sure the colorant dries to a penetrating hard finish and that it bears up under light scrubbing without flaking off. If it does not perform well, you may want to try another type of colorant.

  3. Clean and Rinse the Tile and Grout

    Using a sponge and water, clean and rinse the tile and grout thoroughly. Let the tile and grout dry overnight before moving on to coloring.

  4. Mask Off the Tile Surfaces (Optional)

    Tape off the tile faces with painter's tape, if desired, leaving only the grout lines exposed. This is an optional step but is recommended by some tile professionals. Taping off is the best way to prevent staining on the face of unsealed tiles. It's best to work in small sections, taping off a few square feet and coloring it before moving on to the next section.

  5. Apply Colorant

    Apply grout colorant with small stiff brush or a pen loaded with grout dye, following the manufacturer's directions. Work the colorant forcefully into the grout, trying to avoid getting too much colorant onto the face of the tiles. A toothbrush is a good tool to use for applying the colorant.

    Gray grout colorant on old toothbrush added to grout between brown tiles with green glove

    The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

  6. Wipe Off Excess Colorant

    While the colorant is still wet, wipe off any colorant that gets onto the face of the tile. Some products can be scrubbed off of tile as long as two hours later with a nylon-faced sponge, provided the tile is well-glazed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

    Excess colorant cleaned with yellow nylon-faced sponge on tile floor

    The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

  7. Seal, if Necessary

    Let the grout dry completely, as directed by the colorant manufacturer. Many colorant products are now pre-blended with sealer, requiring no further sealing after application. Others are pure dyes that must be top-coated with sealer after they dry.

    If directed by the manufacturer, brush on a sealer over the colorant after it dries completely. Sealing the grout lines prevents future discoloration. It is normal for the sealer to make the grout lines shiny and slightly darker.

How to Change Grout Color by Removing and Replacing It

Choose a new grout that is suitable for the tile installation. As a general rule, unsanded grout is used for grout joints under 1/8-inch wide, while sanded grout is used for joints 1/8-inch wide or wider. Epoxy grouts consist of an epoxy resin that is activated by a catalyst/hardener; they are appropriate for applications such as steam showers or shower floors.

  1. Protect the Work Area

    Cover floors and furniture with plastic sheeting or drop cloths to protect surfaces.

  2. Remove Old Grout

    Remove the old grout using an appropriate tool, such as a manual grout saw or a multi-tool fitted with a tile blade. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver and a utility knife to clean up the tile edges and get into tight spaces.

  3. Inspect the Tiles

    Check to make sure that the tiles are securely attached to the substrate. Tap on the tiles with the plastic backside of a screwdriver. A hollow sound usually means that the attachment is weak and that the tile should be removed and replaced. Loose tiles are often indicated when grout lines are especially crumbly and easy to remove—just replacing the grout will not fix the problem.

  4. Remove Grout Particles

    Remove the grout particles from between the tiles, using a shop vacuum with a flat nozzle attachment. Scrub the grout lines with a stiff brush as you move the vacuum nozzle, which will dislodge loose particles.

  5. Add Pigment to Grout Mix (Optional)

    Add colorant pigment to the grout mix, if necessary. Grout comes in a fairly broad range of factory-mixed colors and this is usually sufficient for most uses. But you can create a custom color with powdered grout pigment or liquid grout dye. Make sure to blend the colorant and grout thoroughly, so the color is uniform throughout.

  6. Apply the Grout

    Mix and apply the grout, following the manufacturer's directions. Grouting is a three-step process of filling the joints, removing the excess, and cleaning the tile faces. Tools required include a grout float, a grout sponge, and microfiber cloths for cleaning haze off the face of the tiles.

  7. Let the Grout Cure

    Allow the grout to fully dry and cure before moving on to sealing. This may be as long as three days for some types of grout—follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

  8. Seal Grout

    Seal the grout after it has fully cured if recommended by the grout manufacturer. The sealer helps protect the grout from stains and discoloration. Be aware that sealant slightly darkens grout and gives it a shiny appearance. Allow the sealer to dry overnight before allowing tile to get wet.

Newly applied grout colorant on brown tile air drying closeup

The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz

When to Call a Professional

While regrouting tile is not complicated, it is a tedious, exacting job that requires a great deal of patience. If you feel that you cannot do an adequate job, tile installers generally will agree to take on regrout projects.

FAQ
  • What is the most common grout color?

    White and black are common grout colors. But grout also can be tinted to other shades—typically neutral colors, such as tan and gray—to better coordinate with the tile.

  • Should grout be light or dark?

    Grout color is a matter of personal preference. Light grout with light tile can provide a streamlined look. But dark grout can help to define lighter-colored tiles, and it hides dirt.

  • Should floor and wall grout match?

    If you have tiling on your floors and walls within a room, the grout doesn't necessarily have to match. However, the grout colors should at least complement each other, and they should coordinate with the tile and wall colors as well.