How to Grout Tile Without the Mess: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
If you're about to start a DIY tile project, you'll need to know how to cut it, mortar it, lay it, and space it. You'll also need to know how to grout tile after it's set. Grouting is the finishing touch, the step that makes the project look seamless and the installation look professional. Without proper grouting, the project will look unfinished and it won't hold up against wear and tear. From the tools you'll need to pro tips for cleaning the haze when you're done, here's everything you need to know about grouting tile.
What You Need Before You Start Grouting Tile
Grouting tile requires a few simple tools and materials. Always gather everything you need before you begin your project:
- Grout
- Rubber grout float
- Grout sponge
- Bucket
- Grout mixer (drill or paddle mixer)
- Clean rags or cloths
- Cardboard or a dropcloth if you're doing a vertical installation
When selecting the grout itself, it's best to use the tile manufacturer's recommended grout brand. When choosing which float to use, consider the type of tile you're working with. Rubber floats come in different levels of hardness, so it's crucial to use the right type to prevent scratching and damaging your tiles.
Soft Rubber Float
Use for glass tile, marble, polished tile, and natural stone.
Medium/Standard Float
Use for ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Hard Rubber Float
Use with unsanded grout, heavily textured natural stone, and large format floor tiles.
If you're grouting in corners or small spaces, it also helps to have a margin float on hand to better access tight areas. When grouting tile floors, a set of kneepads is also recommended.
How to Mix Grout for Tile
Pre-mixed grout exists, but unsanded grout that needs mixing on-site is widely considered a much more durable product, particularly in wet areas. Pre-mixed grout can be a more convenient option, but mixing grout yourself is very easy to do.
Mixing grout is as simple as pouring the unsanded grout into a bucket, adding water, and mixing it with a paddle mixer or drill. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to ensure you mix the right parts grout to water.
Whether you use a paddle mixer or a drill to combine the grout and water, mixing requires a bit of elbow grease. The key is to create a smooth, even consistency without any lumps. Once it's mixed, let it sit for about ten minutes, then mix it again and use it right away.
Pro tip: Mix only enough to last about 30 minutes of grouting. It dries quickly, so it's best to mix it in batches rather than all at once.
How to Apply Grout: Step-by-Step
The first step to grouting is to choose your grout color. Grout is available in dozens of hues, with most manufacturers offering anywhere from 40 to 60 shades. Most manufacturers recommend the color grout to use with your chosen tile, but it's up to you if you want to take a different approach.
For example, if you're installing White 12x12 Polished, etched Bianco Carrara Marble Mosaic Tile on a kitchen backsplash, you can grout it white for a seamless look or grout it with black or dark gray for a bit more contrast. If you're having a hard time deciding on a grout color, consider testing two different colors on an unused piece of tile before applying it over the entire installation.
Once you've chosen your grout color and gathered all the necessary materials, it's time to prep the area. For walls and vertical installation, lay drop cloths or cardboard to protect floors, countertops, tubs, shower pans, and other flat, adjacent surfaces. If you're tiling a wall next to a painted wall, use painter's tape to prevent the grout from damaging your paintjob.
With the area prepped, mix the grout. Then test out a small area to ensure that it's the right consistency. This is also an opportunity to practice your technique.
To grout between tiles, start by applying the grout to the float. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle, then push the float up against the tile, forcing the grout into the seams and spaces. Work in multiple directions, spreading the grout diagonally and in circular motions.
You don't have to cover every surface of every tile, but you do need to cover enough of the tiles to ensure that the grout is fully packed into each seam.
Grouting Tile Joints and Edges (Tight Spots, Corners)
The most difficult part of the grouting process can be packing the grout into tight spots and corners. Using a small margin float makes this easier to do.
In corners, be sure to pull the float away in a diagonal manner, otherwise you might remove the grout you just applied.
At tile edges, where the tile meets another wall or surface, install tile trim to create a smooth, professional finish that intentionally transitions the tile to the next surface.
How Long to Let Grout Cure Before Cleanup
You can do an initial cleanup of the excessive grout left behind about 15 minutes after grouting. However, you'll want to let it cure 24 to 72 hours before attempting a full cleanup. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the specific time frame, as some types of grout can take up to 72 hours to fully cure.
Cleaning Excess Grout Off Tile
Learning how to grout tile requires learning how to clean it as well. About 15 minutes after applying the grout, you can do an initial cleanup by wiping the entire surface with a damp grout sponge. Be careful not to pull the grout out of the joints.
After this initial cleanup, a powdery, dry film (aka haze) will likely appear on the surface of your tile. This is normal, but you can't tackle this part of the cleanup right away.
About 24 hours after grouting, you can use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away the haze. Some types of grout need about 72 hours to fully cure, but you can clean the haze after the first day.
Pro Tip: Haze gets more stubborn the longer it sits. If it doesn't wipe off easily, buff it with a dry piece of cheesecloth or a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Sealing Grout After It Cures
Once the grout is fully cured, it's time to seal it. Sanded grout is naturally porous and can absorb water and dirt. Sealing it makes it more resistant to dirt, moisture, soap scum, and other types of debris.
Grout sealing requires you to go over every single line of grout. It can be quite tedious, especially if you're working with penny rounds and small mosaic tiles, but it is a necessary step that will preserve your grout and minimize the potential for damage down the road.
Common Grouting Mistakes to Avoid
Grouting like a professional takes a bit of practice. If you want your tile project to look professionally finished, avoid making these common mistakes:
Even with a perfect grout application, many DIYers struggle when it's time to remove the haze, especially if they've used light grout between dark tiles or dark grout between light tiles. With a classic white or dark tile like our Eastern Black 4x12 Polished Marble Subway Tile, remove the haze at the 24-hour mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does grout look like before and after it dries?
2. What's the best way to grout tile for beginners?
3. How does grout work to seal the space between tiles?
4. Can you DIY grout, or should you hire a professional?
5. How much grout do you need between tiles?
6. What's the difference between sanded and unsanded grout?
7. How long should you wait to walk on tile after grouting?
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