Can You Paint Bathroom Grout?

Bathroom tiles, and tiles in general, will be a considerable investment in your home. This is doubly true if you plan on utilizing tiles to enhance your home’s interior aesthetics. However, grout is a crucial aspect of tiling that can either make or break the overall look you are going for in your home. You might be worried that the grout will stick out like a sore thumb and break the seamless visual of the tiles, which begs the question – can you paint bathroom grout?

Yes, you can paint your grout. However, take note that you will need a specific type of paint to do so. Grout colorants can be bought at your local hardware store. These particular paints are specifically designed to be used on grout and are pretty straightforward to apply. 

We will discuss the steps to apply new paint to your stained bathroom grout. Follow the steps down below to ensure the best possible results. 

How to Paint Bathroom Grout?

Rejuvenating the aesthetics of your bathroom tiles can be accomplished by simply applying a new coat of paint to the grout. Unfortunately, bathroom grout is highly susceptible to stains caused by various reasons that are pretty specific to a bathroom setting. However, painting the bathroom grout is a simple and cost-effective way to improve your bathroom’s overall aesthetics. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this relatively simple task.

Tools You Will Need

Before we begin, make sure that the following tools are on-hand:

• Foam Brush
• Painter’s Tape
• Tile Cleaner
• Grout Cleaner
• Grout Paint

Once you have all of the above, we can begin the process of painting your bathroom grout. 

Step 1: Clean the Tile and Grout

First and foremost, you must ensure that the grout does not have cracks or gaps. Essentially, the grout needs to be in good condition before you go ahead and apply paint over it. Next, clean the tiles and grout thoroughly and remove any dirt, grime, mold, and mildew on the surface. Finally, use both the recommended grout cleaner (as indicated on the grout pain label) and your go-to tile cleaner.

Once you clean both tiles and grout and ensure it has been wiped dry, we can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Prepare the Tile

Take the painter’s tape and put it over the edges of the tiles. This step is to ensure that you will not paint over the tiles. The painter’s tape is also essential when you are re-grouting. Yes, this process might seem tedious, and it is, but it is vital to protect your tiles from the paint. 

To further ensure that the painter’s tape creates perfect protection for the tiles, we recommend heat sealing it using a heat gun blower. 

Step 3: Painting the Grout

Now, get your grout paint ready. We recommend going with a darker color tone to help hide stains better and typically offer better visual contrast. Take the foam brush, which should be the exact width of the grout, and slowly apply the paint. 

Take your time and coat the foam brush with just a tiny amount of paint. Make sure to paint in long strokes. Paint over one side of the grout and clean any paint that gets on the tile before it dries. The drying time for the painted grout depends on the brand, so check the manufacturer’s instructions as stated on the label. Apply the second or third coat of paint as needed.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Remove the painter’s tape and commence cleaning the tile and grout. Applying sealer to the grout should be next on your agenda. Before you do so, make sure that the paint is completely dry and clean the area of any dirt and grime. You can use a toothbrush to remove any embedded dirt and debris from the newly painted grout. 

Once you are sure that you have thoroughly cleaned the grout, you can go ahead and apply a sealer to the grout. Read the sealer’s instruction label for the drying time estimation as indicated by the manufacturer. 

Alternative Way to Paint Bathroom Grout

If you only want to do a quick touch-up for your grout, we recommend you check out grout pens. While these shouldn’t be used when re-applying a fresh coat of paint on the grout, they can do the job if you only need to paint over slight and minor discoloration or damage.

Final Thoughts

Grout paint should last for about 15 years if applied and maintained correctly. Some minor retouching might be in order, but this can be accomplished using a grout pen. Painting the grout is a quick and cost-effective alternative to remedy grout stains. As long as the grout does not have any significant structural damage, such as cracks and gaps, re-painting should be an acceptable solution for specific mild grout problems.