Time for a day on the tiles?

Nothing puts a downer on the start of the day like stepping into the shower and locking eyes with blackened, moulding grout around your tiles.

Maintaining bathroom grout can be a nuisance, but putting the job off for months – or even years – only leads to bigger problems.

While it’s always important to clean your grout regularly – think at least once a week – to prolong its longevity, the time will eventually come when it needs replacing.

Grout is a very porous concrete, which will inevitably begin to rot no matter how clean your home is – but there needn’t be a fixed cycle for re-grouting.

If it’s looking aged, but not quite ready for replacement, then try out a grout reviver, such as Unibond Ice White. Using the pen applicator, simply follow along the lines to cover over old grout, leave to dry for an hour, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Re-grouting isn’t necessarily the arduous task you’ve been fearing, though. With the right tools and safety precautions, you could get the job done in as little as an afternoon.

Granted, it’s not the most exciting way to spend your day off, but it’s one of the easiest DIY tricks you can add to your arsenal.

If you’ve got a large area of grout which needs replacing, try Unibond Wall Tile Adhesive & Grout with Anti-mould. For smaller jobs, give Unibond Ice White Grout Reviver a go. Make sure you cover and protect around the area you’ll be re-grouting with a dust sheet. If you’re working above a sink or bath, then take care to put the plug in too, to prevent any grout from going down the drain.

It’s also important you crack open a window to ventilate the room, as there will be a lot of dust flying about. If this isn’t possible, then you must wear a breathing mask instead.

It’s equally vital you protect yourself with tight-fitting safety goggles – you don’t want to be visiting A&E with a grout particle to the eye.

Grout rakes are your best bet for small re-grouting projects, as they’re a quick and effective way to manually strip out old grout. Starting at the corner of your tiles, allow the blade teeth to cut into the grout, slicing firmly in one direction. The grout will then spiral free or become loose enough to be gently pulled away.

An electric grout remover, such as the Bosch PMF E Electric All Rounder Multifunctional Tool, is ideal on larger areas, as it is much less labour intensive. If using one, be sure to start in the middle of the tile joint instead of the corner, as the rotating blades could otherwise cause your tiling to become chipped. Begin on the vertical joints before moving on to horizontal ones.

Strip the grout to the thickness of the tile. Once the grout has been removed, wipe over the entire surface with a damp sponge. Mix up the new, fresh grout according to instructions, or if it’s pre-prepared, just squeeze it into your grout spreader and get going.

Work the fresh grout into the joints – and don’t worry too much about any mess at this stage. Do keep things clean as you go, but focus primarily on filling all the joints first. Once they’re done, remove any excess. You’re going to want to plough ahead at a steady pace, as the grout will begin to harden.

Let the grout set until a film develops over the tile, and then thoroughly clean the area. Wipe away the excess grout and film off the face of the tiles with a damp sponge, rinsing often.

Using a grout finishing tool, drag the rounded end evenly over the joints with smooth, sweeping motions.

Leave to dry again for around three hours, then use a soft, clean sponge to polish away any film which has formed over the grout.

Once that’s done, congratulations! You’ve thoroughly re-grouted your bathroom tiles.