Tools
Essential Tools for Any Grout Project
QEP Grout Sponge
You might be tempted to use the cheap, rounded sponge from the tile aisle at the big box store, but a good quality sponge will clean better, faster and leave less haze on the tile. This is a pretty good choice. It will halve your cleanup time. While it doesn't weigh much, it's worth its weight in gold.
The Best Grout Sponge
This is the Ferrari of grout sponges. High performance, speed, craftsmanship! The Ardex sponge costs almost as much as a Ferrari, but when you want to get the job done fast, and in style, this is the only sponge to buy. We only use Ardex sponges, and when we don't we end up crying.
Grout Float
The grout float is your main weapon in your fight against poor grout jobs. A good float will push the grout into the joints, and squeegee the leftovers from your tiles with ease. This is a great float for all types of grout. The soft and supple red urethane base will perform on surfaces smooth and uneven.
My Favorite Grout Float
THIS IS THE FLOAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR! Lightweight, yet firm, its the choice of professionals and our float of choice. Your arms will thank you as this float makes your grout life a breeze.
A Bucket
You need a clean bucket, in fact you will need 2. One for mixing your grout in (it can be smaller) and one for your short lived clean water. A sturdy bucket with a good solid and secure handle is a must. You can find a good one right here, or at your nearest hardware store. Happy 'New Bucket Day!'
Margin Trowel
A good margin trowel with a sturdy handle is a great way to mix your fresh grout. A nice trowel will also help you get that hard to reach spots, as well as cleaning out the grout in the corners, keeping your grout job neat and tidy. No-one likes grout in the corners!!
Utility Knife
Knives are cool. A utility knife will be super helpful. Great for cutting out the old grout, scraping off old silicone and even for cleaning your trowel and float. 18mm will work, but we HIGHLY recommend a 25mm bladed utility knife. The blades are much stronger and last longer. The beauty of a utility knife is always having a fresh edge when you need it.
Blades
Depending on the size of your knife, you will need either 18mm or 25mm blades.Our favorite are the 25mm as they are more durable than the smaller 18mm blades. We also prefer the regular blades over the 'extra sharp' black blades. While the black blades are sharper, they tend to be more brittle and break easier. We buy a shwack (technical term) of regular blades and replace them regularly as needed.
Painters Tape
Painters tape will help you keep clean grout edges, as well as keeping grout from getting where it shouldn't be. Your painter will thank you. It will also help to lay down that perfect bead of caulking, if your new to using silicone. Ironically, stickier is not better. You want tape that will stick to the surface, but not pull the finish from the walls or ceiling you are taping.If you use regular painters tape, be careful of getting it wet, as it can compromise the tape and leave residue and pull the finish from your walls. We've had great success with this tape and recommend it.
Mapei Grout Colorant
Mapei grout colorant is a great option when looking to refresh or change your grout color. By following our step by step guide, and with a bit of elbow grease, you will have professional results and a tile to be proud of. This is the brand that we use and highly recommend!
Grout Pens
A grout pen is a quick way to make tile look bright and clean again—no scrubbing required. Just draw over dull grout to refresh kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and more. Its like coloring, but only on the lines!
Grout Saw
Grout saws are great for helping to remove grout. The ergonomic handle almost makes re grouting a pleasure. These will go through blades, so this is a nice set with extra blades.
Carbide Grout Scraper
Here’s a short, upbeat summary: --- This handy grout remover makes cleaning up tile work simple. With a double-sided head and three tough carbide tips, you can flip to a fresh edge anytime. It fits most grout joint sizes, and the non-slip rubber grip keeps it comfortable to use. When you’re done, just wipe it clean—easy!