The grout in our foyer tile floor had become discolored and stained, making the whole entry feel dated and dirty. After trying nearly a dozen cleaners and techniques, we were close to giving up—until we finally found a simple solution that made the grout look clean and fresh again.
Once the grout was refreshed, the space instantly felt brighter. The crisp grout lines complement the white trim and give the foyer a newer, cleaner appearance.
It turns out that scrubbing alone wasn’t the answer. If you’re facing stubborn, discolored grout, don’t waste all your time scrubbing—there’s a better option. Read on to learn what worked for us and how to apply it.
Cleaning Tricks That Didn’t Work
For months our grout looked tired and stained despite frequent cleaning attempts. I tried virtually every method I could think of, and while the grout was physically clean, discoloration and staining persisted in spots.
My list of failed attempts included:
- baking soda paste mixtures
- white vinegar solutions
- magic erasers
- specialty grout cleaners and scrubs
- bleach pens
- oxygenating cleaners like OxiClean
- powdered cleansers with a wire brush
- Barkeeper’s Friend with a wire brush
- a borrowed steam mop
- stiff-bristle scrubbing
- and a lot of frustration
The Solution To Getting White Grout Again
After accepting that scrubbing wouldn’t restore the color, I considered two options: remove and regrout (messy and disruptive) or refinish the grout. A handful of readers recommended Polyblend Grout Renew, and it turned out to be the winner. It changed the grout’s appearance dramatically and saved us from a messy regrout project.
The price was reasonable and the product worked as promised. It’s not an endorsement beyond our experience—just gratitude that it solved this problem after months of effort.
Choose Your Grout Paint Color
Grout Renew is available in many colors, including multiple shades of white and off-white. While you may be tempted to pick the brightest white, consider how it will look with your tile and lighting. We evaluated several shades and ultimately chose Oyster Gray—a mid-tone ivory that reads natural next to our dark slate and avoids an overly stark look.
Test a few colors if you can; the right tone depends on your tile, trim, and light. The product is generally low odor and low-VOC, which was helpful for me during pregnancy—still, I used a respirator and ventilated the room while working.
GroutRenew Alternatives
If Grout Renew isn’t available, there are similar products from other manufacturers and grout pens that serve the same purpose. We only used Grout Renew, but alternatives exist at major retailers and online marketplaces and can be helpful if you need a different format or color selection.
How To Apply Grout Paint
Applying grout paint takes time and patience. For our floor it took roughly eight hours of active work spread over a few days, but it was far less time than the many hours spent trying to remove stains by scrubbing. Here’s the method we followed:
Step 1: Clean Your Tile & Grout
Start by removing surface dirt and dust so the paint adheres properly. This doesn’t require aggressive scrubbing—just a good wash to clear debris and grime from the surface.
Step 2: Pick Your Brush Or Application Tool
The manufacturer suggests an old toothbrush, but we found a thin craft brush gave much more control and reduced mess on the tile surface. The brush also fit easily into the bottle for quick reloading.
Step 3: Plan Your Starting Point & Exit Route
If you’re working on a floor, plan your route so you don’t paint yourself into a corner. Start in a small room or area you can finish and close off to dry. Working methodically in sections helps maintain a dry path for walking while other sections cure.
Step 4: Be Ready For Mistakes
Even with care, paint may get on tile edges. Wipe spills quickly—there’s a short window before it sets. We wiped edges with small pieces of toilet paper or a clean cloth to remove excess and create crisp lines along each seam.
Step 5: Be Patient & Pace Yourself
Break the job into manageable sessions. We spread the work across three days, tackling smaller areas each day so the household could still use parts of the entryway. It’s physically demanding—especially working on the floor—so pace yourself and take breaks.
As you progress you’ll notice dramatic before-and-after changes that make the effort worthwhile.
Step 6: Let It Dry
Allow each section to dry for 24 hours and avoid getting the grout wet for 72 hours after application, per product instructions. We had extra product left for touch-ups, and after months of normal use the finish has held up well.
Overall, grout paint transformed our foyer without the disruption and expense of regrouting. If your grout is discolored but structurally sound, refinishing with a grout paint or pen is an effective, affordable way to refresh the look of your tile.
Originally published in 2014. We updated this with our long-term experience: after nearly two years of regular use, mopping, and foot traffic, the grout has held up and still looks like when it was first refinished.
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