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Why Grout Doesn’t Return to White (and What You Can Do About It)

by Samantha Campbell in ALL THINGS BATHROOM

Why it Happens:
Over time, grout absorbs stains from hard water, soap, mold, and even cleaning products. Grout is naturally porous, so once discoloration sets in deep below the surface, regular cleaning—even with powerful products like SHYN Paste—may not fully restore its original white color. In these cases, the grout is clean but permanently stained.

What You Can Do:

1. Use a Grout Colorant or Paint

If your grout won’t return to white despite deep cleaning, a grout colorant is your best bet. These are special coatings that restore color and seal the grout to prevent future staining.

  • Products to Consider:

    • Aqua Mix Grout Colorant

    • Mapei Grout Refresh

    • LATICRETE Grout Colorant

  • Benefits:

    • Restores a bright white look

    • Seals grout to prevent future discoloration

    • Long-lasting and professional appearance

2. Try a Grout Whitening Pen (For Small Areas)

For quick fixes or small spots, grout pens can be handy.

  • Example: Rainbow Chalk Markers or Grout-Aide pens

  • Tip: These work best on clean, dry grout and are ideal for quick touch-ups.

3. Regrouting (Last Resort)

When grout is too damaged or uneven for coloring, regrouting may be the best solution.

  • What It Involves: Removing old grout and applying new grout

  • When to Do It: If the grout is crumbling, deeply stained, or beyond surface restoration

Tags: cleaning grout grout stained grout
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