How to re-grout tiles

Freshen up your walls with some tile grout

Sprucing up old tiles can make all the difference to your kitchen or bathroom. If your tiles are looking tired and grubby, your first reaction might be to replace your tiles with new ones. However, doing so can end up being an expensive and time-consuming task. What if we told you that you don’t need to go to the hassle of replacing your tiles? Yes, really! Re-grouting your tiles is an affordable and quick way of bringing your kitchen or bathroom back to life.

Our easy-to-follow guide will show you just how simple it is to re-grout your existing tiles and freshen up your space.

What you'll need:

Watch our video guide

How to remove old tile grout

As you’ll need to remove the old grout from the tiles, it’s best to put down a dust sheet or cardboard to protect the area you’re working in. And don’t forget to wear a dust mask and eye protection.

Step 1

Use a grout removal blade to remove as much of the grout as possible. To do this, run the blade around the edge of the tiles, taking care not to damage the tiles.

Step 2

A scraper is useful to knock out any leftover pieces of grout. Don’t forget to hoover as you go to minimise dust.

Step 3

Once you’ve removed all the old grout, wipe over the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any dust. Leave the surface to dry thoroughly before re-grouting.

How to re-grout, clean and polish tiles

Choose from ready-made or ready-to-mix tile grout in a range of colours, try glitter grout for dazzling results.

Step 1

Once you’ve chosen your preferred grout, apply it to the tiles using a grout spreader. Use a diagonal motion to ensure it gets into all the gaps between the tiles. And use the edge of the spreader to scrape up excess grout and re-apply it to another area.

Step 2

It’s best to work as quickly as you can and to wipe off excess grout as you go with a just-damp cloth. This will minimise the amount you have to scrub off later.

Step 3

Tiled areas that meet another surface, such as a worktop, floor, window or door frame, should be left un-grouted and sealed with silicone later.

Step 4

Once you’ve filled all the gaps with grout, leave to set for a few minutes. Then use the same diagonal motion to wipe the tiles with a damp sponge. Keep a bucket of water handy to rinse out the sponge as you go.