Want to update the look of your tile? Use these 10 steps to give your tile a fresh, new look.
1) Use a grout saw to remove as much grout from the joint as you can. Work the area using a North/South or East/West motion. Be very carefully to avoid scratching the tile or stone.
2) Clean the area using a heavy duty grout and tile cleaner for acid resistant surfaces. Or, a stone deep cleaner for acid sensitive surfaces. Rinse with clean water.
3) Using a margin trowel and pail, mix the new grout to a toothpaste consistency with a grout additive.
4) Using a grout float, spread the grout diagonally across the tile with the float held at a 45- degree angle. Press firmly and go over the surface several times to pack the joints. Finish by striking off any excess with the float held at a 90-degree angle. Be careful not to remove the grout from the joint.
5) Before you wet-clean the tile, allow the grout to set up for a few minutes. As soon as you can wipe grout off the surface using a damp (not wet) grout sponge without pulling grout out of the joint, clean until only a light haze of grout remains. Use light, diagonal strokes, and rinse and wring out the sponge often.
6) Clean and shape the joints by wiping parallel to them. Remove the grout until its level is just below the tile’s rounded edges. If any voids appear in the process, press in a dab of grout with the float, the sponge or a fingertip and wait about 10 minutes.
7) Final Rinse. For acid resistant surfaces (Ceramic and Porcelain) use a grout haze and film remover. Using a sponge, wipe down the area until all grout and admix residue disappears. Let dry.
8) Buff down the area with a towel. (Like removing wax from a car.)
9) After 72 hours, apply a grout sealer. Let the sealer penetrate in the grout, then wipe off all excess sealer (Much like cleaning a window with glass cleaner.)
10) Maintain your grout and tile surfaces weekly by using your a grout and tile cleaner.
All done!