How to Use a Grout Pen to Refresh Tile Grout

Quick answer: to use a grout pen, clean the grout lines thoroughly and let them dry, then run the pen along each line in one smooth pass. Wipe any colour off the tile face straight away with a damp cloth, work one area at a time, and let the grout dry fully before the area gets wet. A grout pen colours the surface of the grout; it does not fill cracked or missing grout.

What is a grout pen?

A grout pen is a marker with a nib sized for the joints between tiles. It coats the surface of the grout in an even colour, which can make tired, stained or patchy grout lines look fresh again. It is a quick cosmetic job compared with raking out and replacing grout.

TidyMend sells white tile grout pens (3 pack) and a cream tile grout pen for bathroom and kitchen tiles. See all Tile & Grout Repair products.

What you need

A grout pen in the colour you want (white or cream)
A stiff brush, such as an old toothbrush or a grout brush
A household cleaner suitable for your tiles
A damp cloth and a dry cloth
Optional: masking tape for very glossy or textured tiles

Step-by-step: how to use a grout pen

Check the grout. Look for cracks, crumbling or missing grout. A pen will not fix those; repair or replace that grout first.
Clean the grout lines. Scrub the grout with a brush and a suitable cleaner to remove soap residue, grease and dirt. Rinse with clean water.
Let it dry completely. Grout pens work best on dry grout. In a bathroom, open a window or leave the fan running, and leave the area unused for a while.
Prepare the pen. Follow the instructions on the pen, which usually means shaking it and pressing the nib on a scrap surface until the colour flows.
Test a small area. Try the pen on a short line in a less visible spot to check the colour and how easily it wipes off your tiles.
Apply along each line. Hold the pen at a steady angle and draw it along the grout line in one smooth stroke. Do the horizontal lines in a section, then the vertical lines.
Wipe the tile face straight away. Wipe any colour that lands on the tiles with a damp cloth before it dries. Working on one small area at a time makes this easier.
Let it dry. Leave the grout to dry before the area gets wet, following the drying guidance on the pen.
Check and touch up. Look at the lines in good light and go over any patchy spots once the first coat is dry.

White or cream?

White gives a bright, crisp look and suits white or very light tiles. Cream is softer and can suit cream, beige or warm-toned tiles. If you are unsure, test a short line first. Use one colour across a whole wall or floor so the lines match.

When a grout pen is not the right fix

Stained joints you would rather cover: self-adhesive tile gap tape is a white strip that covers grout lines and small gaps along tiles, counters and sinks.
Chipped or cracked tiles: a two-part tile repair paste kit is made for filling chips and cracks in tile, tub and sink surfaces.
Worn caulk around a bath or sink: peel-and-stick caulk tape covers tired caulk lines, or use a caulking finishing tool kit if you are re-caulking; see how to use caulk tape.
Cracked, crumbling or missing grout: rake out the damaged grout and regrout before colouring.

Tips for a neat finish

Good light helps you see missed spots; a torch held at an angle shows patchy lines.
Steady your hand by resting your little finger on the tile as you draw the line.
On textured or very glossy tiles, masking tape along the tile edges can keep the colour on the grout.
Clean the grout regularly afterwards to keep the lines looking fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Do grout pens work on floor tiles?

Our cream grout pen is described for bathroom and kitchen walls and floors. Floors get more wear, so you may need to touch up busy areas from time to time.

How long does a grout pen take to dry?

It depends on the pen, the room and how thickly you apply it, so follow the instructions on the pen. Keep the area dry until the colour has fully dried.

Can I use a grout pen in the shower?

You can use it on shower wall tiles. Clean and dry the grout thoroughly first, and let the colour dry before you use the shower again.

Will a grout pen cover mould?

Clean the grout first rather than painting over marks. A grout pen colours the surface; it is not a cleaner or a treatment.

What if I get grout pen on the tiles?

Wipe it off straight away with a damp cloth. It is easiest to remove before it dries.