Whether you’re grouting or re-grouting ceramic tiles, the task can seem daunting if you’ve never held a grout float. Here are six tips for great grouting.
1. Instead of re-grouting, try cleaning. If the grout brightens up and is still in good shape, let it dry and apply a grout sealer.
2. Since new grout does not stick well to old, completely remove any damaged grout. A grout rake, or a grout saw, is ideal for cleaning small areas; an oscillating multi-tool with a grout blade is much faster for big areas. Work from one grout line to another, leaving the undamaged grout intact. Make sure seams are completely grout-free before re-applying—it’s easy to miss a thin layer on the tile edge.
3. Use the right grout: sanded grout is mortar mixed with fine sand. It’s ideal for ceramic tiles, natural stone, and grout joints 1⁄8″ and wider. It expands slightly as it cures. It’s durable but porous and susceptible to staining—so you should seal it.
Unsanded grout has no sand, although it can contain other particles. It works for porcelain and other tiles. Since it can shrink, you should not use it with tiles spaced more than 1⁄8″ apart.
Epoxy grout combines epoxy resins and filler powder. It’s durable, waterproof, impervious to most chemical cleaners, and doesn’t need to be sealed—but it is more expensive than other grouts.
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4. Stir the entire bag of powdered grout before mixing with water, as the coloured pigment can settle at the bottom. Save some dry powder in a small, airtight container for repairs later.
5. When removing excess grout, twist the wet grout sponge to wring out as much water as possible. Rub gently, moving the sponge in circles over the tiles. After wiping away most of the excess grout with one side of the sponge, flip the sponge and wipe again. Use a soft cloth to remove any remaining grout haze on the tiles.
6. Where substrates abut—between a tile backsplash and a laminate countertop, for instance—use silicone caulking instead of grout. Caulking allows for more movement.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Cottage Life.
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