To refresh shower grout, first clean it with a baking soda/vinegar paste or a commercial cleaner, scrubbing with a stiff brush; for stained grout, use a grout pen for touch-ups, or for major issues, scrape out old grout with a grout saw and reapply new grout with a float, wiping excess with a damp sponge for a fresh, new look. Always wear safety gear like gloves and glasses, especially with stronger chemicals.
You generally should not put new grout directly over old, crumbling, or moldy grout, as it won't bond well and the underlying issues will return; however, you can apply new grout over existing grout if you first remove the top layer (about 2mm deep), thoroughly clean and dry the area, and use a specialized "rejuvenation" grout or properly prepare the surface for a strong bond, which creates a time-saving shortcut but removing most or all old grout is always the best for longevity.
Regrouting your shower and bathroom tiles is key for looks and home safety. The best time to regrout shower and bathroom tiles is when you see mold, grout color changes, or the grout is old, about 15-20 years. Showers need more frequent regrouting because they're wet.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Chemical cleaners, such as, Tilex, Soft Scrub, Scrubbing Bubbles, or ammonia products will nearly always result in your tile surfaces' grout becoming very discolored. If you do choose to utilize a cleaner, make sure that it's neutral in pH level to ensure it doesn't damage your grout.
Mix together one fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide with a half cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Cover your grout with the paste and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing with hot water (II).
Signs to Look Out For
You might notice discolouration, hairline cracks, or sections that crumble when touched. In severe cases, whole pieces of grout may be missing, leaving a visible gap between tiles. You may also see water pooling at the edges of your shower or notice damp spots on walls outside the shower area.
The 1/3 rule for tile is a layout technique for long rectangular tiles (like wood-look planks) that recommends staggering joints by one-third of the tile's length, not the traditional 50%, to minimize lippage (uneven tile edges) caused by natural tile bowing, creating a smoother, safer, and more visually harmonious floor or wall. Instead of a standard brick-like pattern, it creates a diagonal or "stair-step" grout line, which looks more natural and helps hide slight height variations between tiles, making the surface feel flatter and more professional, especially under raking light.
Learning to regrout takes years of experience and practice, plus a lot of patience. When removing the old grouting with a drill or screwdriver, you could damage tiles and other bathroom fittings. If the job is not done carefully, moisture can leak under tiles causing damp and mould.
While grout pens are not a permanent solution to some grout issues, they're still an affordable and easy way to help you transform your home. Just be sure that you choose a grout pen in a color that works for your style, the room itself, and the tile.
Luckily, regrouting shower or bathroom tiles is one of the easier things on the DIY to-do list. This informative video tutorial will show you exactly how to regrout old tiles – perfect if you've just moved house.
4 of the Most Common Regrouting Mistakes
Important note: To avoid damage to grout, it's best to avoid any acidic cleaners, such as vinegar or chlorine bleach, as they will damage and erode your grout over time.
The Pink Stuff
Simply rub and scrub, and then rinse with hot water. As a mildly abrasive cleaner, the paste has a little grit to it, which helps scrub away dirt and debris from grout and surfaces.
Install professional-looking tiles by learning from these common grouting mistakes.
You generally should not grout directly over old grout for longevity and adhesion, as it often leads to cracking and peeling; instead, you must first remove a significant portion (at least 2mm) of the old grout, thoroughly clean the area, and then apply the new grout to ensure proper bonding and a lasting finish. Special rejuvenation grouts or epoxy grouts might require less removal, but scraping out most of the old material is the best practice for standard grout.
Bleach, ammonia, and cleaners with these harsh chemicals added in can cause grout to yellow, fade, or become discolored. They can also degrade the grout and cause it to erode over time.
Hiring a professional grout cleaner means no getting your hands and knees, no accidental damages to your tile or grout, no time-consuming scrubbing with sub-par tools, and no time spent doing it! That makes professional tile and grout cleaning worth it, even with the additional professional tile cleaning cost.
Vinegar & Baking Soda
I want to actually clean my grout. Magic erasers get the job done, and they do it quickly and relatively painlessly. Technique-wise, I usually cut my standard size magic eraser in half, wet it to slightly more than damp, and scrub the grout line as I squeeze gently.
Simple, safe, and seriously effective: Just mix: 💧 Warm water 🧴 A splash of Dawn dish soap 🧪 A little hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar Spray it on, let it sit, and wipe clean — your tile will thank you. Perfect for keeping grout bright and surfaces gleaming without harsh chemicals.
Sealing your grout is a must, especially in moisture-prone areas or when working with a light-colored grout. The only type of grout that doesn't need sealer is epoxy, which is inherently pre-sealed.